"Guten Tag!" No language is easy, but if you really want to learn German, you definitely can. German is a logical language with regular syntax and has some borrowed vocabulary from foreign languages. German belongs to the German language family along with Danish, English and Dutch. German and English are closely related and you too can learn German with a little effort and time! Please read the guide below to help in learning this language.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Understanding the Basics
Step 1. Start by learning the vowels and their consonants
Most German vowels and consonants are almost the same as English. Study these sounds first to make it easier for you to learn the words and pronounce them correctly.
- Notice how the vowels sound when they stand alone, compared to when used in conjunction. Like Indonesian, two vowels sound different together than alone.
- In the same way, consonants can sound different at certain positions in the word or used in combination. Study these variations so you can pronounce them correctly.
- Don't forget that German has more letters and none in Indonesian (Ä ß). You will need to learn this, as well as how it is spoken, if you want to understand and be understood.
Step 2. Learn the basic words
Study the most basic words so you have a starting outline for how to use the nouns, verbs and adjectives you'll learn later. It's also important to learn some basic words before traveling to Germany or speaking to Germans.
- Start with important single words, such as “yes”, “no”, “please”, “thank you”, and the numbers 1-30.
- Proceed to basics like “I am” (Ich bin), “you are” (Du bist), “he is” (Er/Sie ist), etc.
Step 3. Learn basic sentence formation
Get the main idea of how sentences are formed. It won't be so difficult because German is very similar to English in this respect. There are slight differences but you can learn some of them now and learn more complicated ones later as time goes on.
Germans will generally understand what you're trying to say, even if the word order is wrong. Pronunciation is more important to understand, so don't worry too much about it in the beginning
Method 2 of 3: Continuing Your Learning
Step 1. Learn nouns
Once you have a basic framework by which you can learn and use this language, you will want to start learning words. Starting with a noun is a great start. Try to start with the most basic and necessary nouns, the kinds of things and people you use and meet every day.
- In nouns there is a case system, gender determination, and will also change based on the number of nouns. Learn how all of these affect nouns while enriching your vocabulary.
- Examples of good nouns to start with include food, things around the house, important places in town, and important people you need to see (like a doctor, police officer, etc.).
Step 2. Learn the verbs
You'll also want to learn key verbs. This will give the noun you learned earlier something to do! These German verbs are conjugated. You will need to learn the basic conjugation system while enriching your vocabulary.
Learn the most basic verbs first before you delve into the more complex ones. Run, walk, jump, stop, fall, are, have, say, do, get, etc. These will be very useful in the beginning and are easier to pronounce and learn than more complex words
Step 3. Learn adjectives
Once you've learned a few nouns and adjectives, you'll want to learn some adjectives, so you can make your sentences more complex. The adjective also applies to the case system, so make sure you understand these basics first as you learn.
Step 4. Read
As you learn all these new words, try reading. This will give you the opportunity to practice as well as look up words you don't know. Read very basic books, such as children's books, as these will be easier for you to follow at first.
Step 5. Watch the movie
Watch movies with subtitles on. This will allow you to enjoy the movie but also familiarize you with the sounds of the language. It's also a great way to learn some basic vocabulary. Notice how the translation correlates with what is being said on the screen.
Method 3 of 3: Gaining Higher Level Knowledge
Step 1. Take high-level classes
As your knowledge advances, you will want to take classes that correspond to your level of difficulty. It will challenge you and introduce you to the more complicated aspects of the language. Higher-level courses are available at your local campus and university, but it is also possible to take online courses from reliable sources such as the Goethe Institute.
Step 2. Try studying in Germany
Germany is very supportive of cultural exchange and you will find that there are several opportunities to study there. Living in Germany will improve your language skills more than any other way, as it will immerse you in the language and you will see firsthand how it is used.
You can go to Germany through a student exchange arranged by your high school or university, or you can apply to a university or public college in Germany. A student visa will be issued to allow you to stay in the country and the tuition fee is much cheaper than other places. You may also be able to get a job instead of going to school. If you're young enough, you can still work as an au pair (or caregiver)
Step 3. Make friends with Germans
Making friends with Germans will give you the opportunity to practice your German, get advice on pronunciation and grammar, learn new words, and get to know the culture. You can chat online, call on Skype, or you can try to find a native German (like students at your university).
Step 4. Read intensively
Read everything you can get your hands on. Try reading at an increasing rate, so that your vocabulary is always challenged. You can read from any source, but try to read more likely sources using good grammar and spelling. This will help you learn the language properly.
You can read online versions of German newspapers and magazines. Examples include Der Zeit, Frankfurter Rundschau, or Der Spiegel (which tend to be lower in reading than newspapers)
Step 5. Watch movies without subtitles
This will challenge you to understand the language without the help of translation. You may not always understand every word but as time goes on you will learn more and more. This can be a great way to build up unfamiliar vocabulary, as you'll get used to hearing language that doesn't come out often in everyday conversation.
Step 6. Write
No matter what you write, just write. Writing well enough requires a fairly good grasp of the language and grammar and will help you learn faster and become more comfortable in the language. If you can, find a native German to read what you wrote and give you their feedback.
You can write letters, journals, film reviews, or whatever you can
Tips
- Don't take too long between lessons. This can cause you to forget many of the ingredients. Spend at least two or three hours trying to study each day.
- Look for words you hear or see that you don't know. Always carry a notebook with you and write down the word, if you can't find it right away. Even if you don't really know how to spell it, Google is good enough to help you get it right, so don't worry too much.
- German is known for its long and complicated words (like Pfändungsfreigrenzenbekanntmachung!), but don't be afraid. After a while, you'll get used to the way German words are formed and how they sound. Once you have these skills, it will be very easy to understand the word beheading.
- Look through the list of the most common nouns, verbs and adjectives in German. Adding all of these words to your vocabulary will give you a great starting point. You can also search for the most common words in Indonesian and look for their German equivalents if they are not listed in both lists.
- As with other languages, the more you practice the better you become. Try to surround yourself with the language and use it everyday as often as possible.
