Learning German can be as mind-boggling of an experience as it is fascinating. And the prospect of learning a new language is easily one of the most daunting tasks in the world.
If you’re bound to study in Germany soon, knowing German is an absolute plus. It gives you many advantages in all walks of life including future employment.
Like any other language, learning German takes time. But, if you want to speed up the learning process, there are things you can try.
Here’s how you can learn German fast as an international student:
Understanding the 16 Forms of “The”
Yes, you’ve read that right—the article “the” has 16 different forms in German! And they all vary depending on the case and gender.
For each gender, there is a noun preposition. These are:
- Die – feminine nouns
- Der – masculine nouns
- Das – neutral gender
This might be the trickiest part of German grammar to learn. Every German word comes with a preposition before it, so it can be confusing. Dip your toes with some basic words and learn the rest naturally during your stay.
Familiarize With the Verb Tenses
One of the most essential parts of any language is the verb tenses. These indicate when an action happened, giving a clearer picture of an event.
There are six verb tenses in the German language. These are:
- Present tense
- Perfect tense
- Present perfect
- Past perfect
- Future tense
- Future perfect
Immerse in German Media
Immersing in German media helps accelerate your learning process of the German language. Start consuming German media from the books you read and the shows you watch.
You can keep a note and list down all the new words you learn. You can also record some phrases and try to replicate the way they’re pronounced.
Study Common Phrases and Expressions
Learn common phrases that are usual in your daily interactions. Discover how to introduce yourself both in formal and informal settings. You can also study what questions to ask when you’re doing groceries.
Expand your German vocabulary by learning certain expressions as well. Know what to say to express surprise, frustration, or sadness. This will help you learn how to express yourself better.
Know Where and When to Use German Slang
Some German phrases shouldn’t be taken literally. This is why you should learn where and when to use German slang.
For example, you can use “Was geht” (What’s up?) to greet your friend. You can also say “chillen” if you want “to chill” or have fun.
Stay With a Host Family
Staying with a host family offers many wonderful benefits. One of which is helping you improve your German skills.
You can request your host family to speak only in German with you. They can also help you when you struggle with your sentence structure and speech.
Learning German fast gives you plenty of advantages as an international student. For your next read, you can read our article on how to save money while in Germany to help you manage your funds as a student.
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