Powered by Max Banner Ads 

Top 4 Things To Avoid When Learning German

I’ve noticed a lot of “learn German” courses and online language lessons try to teach their students German bluntly, without worrying about efficiency. I’m not saying it’s wrong to learn a new language “the hard way”, but in today’s fast paced world, everyone wants to learn something with speed and efficiency.


You might be needing to learn German for an exam with a fast incoming term, finish a German project with a quick deadline, or get ready for that business trip in Germany next month and in order to max out your efficiency ratio, you’ll be better off if you follow a simple set of rules and avoid some of the most common mistakes occurring when learning German.


1. German Learning Mistakes – Lack of Visualization


Visualization is extremely important when learning a new language, even more so when learning German and its rough, hard-to-memorize words. Whenever you want to improve vocabulary, don’t just learn words the hard way by popping open a dictionary and finding out what a word means. Instead, try to associate it with something in your mother tongue.


For example, the German word “mauer”, meaning “wall” resembles the English word “mower”. Picture someone running into a wall with a mower, or a wall crumbling on a mower. I know it’s silly but trust me, it doesn’t even have to make sense. It’s important that you remember the visual situation, since your brain is far better at remembering images and image-related stuff than just plain words.


2. German Learning Mistakes – Not Understanding your Weaknesses and Strengths


This is crucial in saving time when learning German. If you take on a step-by-step language course, you’ll be going through some steps easier than others. This is because each human being has a natural “balance” in their learning process, with weaknesses and strengths. If you find yourself blazing through the grammar, don’t waste any more time on it, except when revising. On the other hand, if your course’s grammar section is over and you’re still not clear with all the concepts and rules, focus on them until you clear them up. It’s important to pay attention to these details if you want to learn correctly and fast.


3. German Learning Mistakes – Not Balancing Learning/Evaluation Times


If you get this learning/evaluation balance right, you’ll be able to speed things up a lot when learning German. Unfortunately, this is also one of the toughest mistakes to avoid, since each person has its own perfect ratio. Most language specialists agree that it’s best to learn for around 10-15 minutes, then evaluate your progress and check yourself out. Afterwards, take a short break, then get another 15 minutes chunk of learning. If you go on learning for 2 hours without evaluation, by the time you re-check yourself you’ll find out that you’ve already forgotten some of the stuff and you’ll lose even more time.


4. German Learning Mistakes – Confusing Fake Cognates for Cognates


Words that are similar in look, sound and meaning in English and German (or well, between any 2 languages actually) are called cognates. For example, the English “mouse” and the German “maus” sound and look almost the same and they share the same meaning. However, there are a few words that look and sound alike in both languages, but they mean something completely different and these words are called fake cognates. A few examples could include (German word – English lookalike word – Germany true meaning): scmerz – smart – pain, baum – beam – tree or wald – weald – forest.


You’ll probably have to learn these fake cognates by hard, or at least try to figure them out of the context. They can be very misleading to language learning newcomers, especially after you get used to the real cognates and expect any lookalike word to have the same meaning in both German and English.


These are the main things to avoid when you learn German, but there are other things that can help speed up your language learning process. Revising and evaluating efficiently for example, without over or under revising, or naturally building your vocabulary outside the learning sessions (from German TV shows for example) are also important. With these techniques, you can increase your German language learning rate by up to 4 times than if you would simply learn in a robotic, straightforward fashion.

Rosetta Stone German Level 1, 2 & 3 Set with Audio Companion
Foreign language learning with Rosetta Stone German Levels 1, 2&3 you connect with the world around you. With level one… More >>
German Conversation Demystified with Two Audio CDs
Unlock the riddle of speaking and interacting in German German Demystified provides you with a solid foundation for b… More >>
German Language Phrases: Learn to Speak German – Active Table of Contents
DON’T LEAVE FOR YOUR NEXT INTERNATIONAL TRIP BEFORE READING THROUGH THIS ‘LITTLE WONDER’!This book has been updated with… More >>
Learn German the Fast and Fun Way (Fast and Fun Way Series)
Updated with helpful facts and tips for international travelers, this new third editions of Learn German the Fast and Fu… More >>
Learn to Speak German Essentials
Learn to Speak German today!Product InformationDesigned by leading language experts Learn to Speak German Essentials is … More >>
Let’s Learn German Picture Dictionary
Created by leading educators, these colorful, large-size dictionaries introduce beginning language learners to more than… More >>
Learn in Your Car German Complete (German Edition)
Our best-selling audio language-learning program provides comprehensive grammar and vocabulary to beginners and advanced… More >>
German Made Simple: Learn to speak and understand German quickly and easily
Learning German Has Never Been Easier! Whether you are studying the language in school, planning a trip to Germany or Au… More >>

Increase your German vocabulary at online German games at www.InternetPolyglot.com. The site contains thousands of German lessons in different languages.


Related Blogs

Leave your Comment

Why is Learning German Important?

Learning German can be a very useful skill. Germany stands as the fourth largest economy in the world and the economic powerhouse of Europe. Germany is known for its manufacturing prowess and its exports continue to buttress the importance of German. German is spoken by more than a 100 million native speakers and by up to an additional 80 million non-native speakers.

German can open doors to employment in a variety of occupations such as in manufacturing, teaching, translation, interpreting, and the growing travel industry. In the United States it can also lead to an increase rapport with German contacts in companies abroad. Learning German greatly improves your chances of success in job market. Learning German can be a fun task, as well as an important one.

Most Germans speak English, but even if you’re just a casual traveler, learning it can also be beneficial since a little German can go a long way on making a good impression on your hosts or German friends. Studying German to order food, communicate with locals and talk with taxi drivers will enhance the experience of your travels significantly, if travel is your primary goal.

Studying German is one step to joining the ranks of the business elite oriented toward the growing German market. German is one of the great languages of the world. Outside of Europe and the republics of the former Soviet Union, large German-speaking communities are found in the United States, Canada, and Brazil and in Argentina. German-speaking communities are also found in Namibia an in lesser numbers in Mexico, Dominican Republic, Paraguay, Uruguay, Chile, Peru, Venezuela, South Africa, and Australia.

German can however be a difficult language to learn for many people and there is no single method can insure that a reasonable proficiency will be achieved without an adequate investment of time. So it’s important to vary your learning materials to insure that you maximize your language learning experience. Learning German can be a more complicated language to learn for most English speakers in contrast to say Spanish.

Choosing the right course is of course critical and that can make learning the language a relative cake walk or much more difficult. Much importance should be given to the accent and pronunciations while learning German.

Studying German doesn’t require expensive personal tutors. So you want to be careful not to end up paying more money than is necessary. It is an ongoing process. While you can’t learn the language overnight, you can find resources that may give you an edge time wise and simply the amount of effort you exert.

A critical challenge to remember is that of vocabulary. Having used various books and courses to learn to read various foreign languages I found several to be of benefit. The most valuable ones were those who made sure to present new vocabulary first. Then a short story utilizing this new vocabulary in conjunction with previously learned vocabulary was presented. In terms of audio or conversational only programs, a variety of excellent courses are available.

Learn German the Fast and Fun Way (Fast and Fun Way Series)
Updated with helpful facts and tips for international travelers, this new third editions of Learn German the Fast and Fu… More >>
German Conversation Demystified with Two Audio CDs
Unlock the riddle of speaking and interacting in German German Demystified provides you with a solid foundation for b… More >>
Let’s Learn German Picture Dictionary
Created by leading educators, these colorful, large-size dictionaries introduce beginning language learners to more than… More >>
Rosetta Stone German Level 1 with Audio Companion
Foreign language learning with Rosetta Stone German Level 1 with Audio Companion includes everything you need to begin l… More >>
Learn in Your Car German Complete (German Edition)
Our best-selling audio language-learning program provides comprehensive grammar and vocabulary to beginners and advanced… More >>
German Language Phrases: Learn to Speak German – Active Table of Contents
DON’T LEAVE FOR YOUR NEXT INTERNATIONAL TRIP BEFORE READING THROUGH THIS ‘LITTLE WONDER’!This book has been updated with… More >>
German, Basic: Learn to Speak and Understand German with Pimsleur Language Programs (Simon & Schuster’s Pimsleur)
This Basic program contains 5 hours of audio-only, effective language learning with real-life spoken practice sessions. … More >>

Jacob Lumbroso is a world traveler. He writes articles on history and languages for recommends Pimsleur German courses to learn various languages.


Related Blogs

Leave your Comment

Learning German as a Second Language

If you have thought about picking up a second language, you are on the right track. There are many reasons to do this. Because of the many people that come into the United States there is a big call for translators. There are areas of the U. S. where there are large German communities.

The health field often needs people who can speak other languages. Learning German is easier than ever with all of the different options that you have to learn. There are online courses, tapes, courses that you can buy, or even books that you can read.

You need to choose what the best is way for you to learn to speak German. Learning German can be made easier if you know what type of a learner you are. Do you do better with visual learning, vocal learning, or would you be better in a classroom? Look at what classes you did best at in school, and think about how you learned in them.

Some people need hands on learning. Some people comprehend better by reading and reciting information. Others do better by listening and repeating. German can be an easy language to learn for many people. Learning German is a good idea if you plan to visit Germany. It is a beautiful language when spoken properly.

If you want to work for the government in a homeland security position, it is often required to know certain languages. Police departments like to have translators available in case they have to deal with someone that speaks a foreign language. If you are in the military, and will be stationed in Germany, that would be a good reason to learn to speak German. You will want to know the language to communicate in everyday life.

It’s surprising to know that German is a much more wider spoken language than you may think as several countries and regions in the world have German as their primary language.

Switzerland is one are of Europe that has a large German-speaking population, as many residents of the major cities such as Geneva and Berne for example are host to substantial native Swiss German-speaking populations.

Whatever your reasons, you can learn German. Check out the different programs available and choose the one that best suits you, learning a foreign language can be both rewarding and fun, giving you a very useful addition to your armoury.

In-Flight German: Learn Before You Land
Living Language In-Flight German is the perfect boarding pass to learning German before you land.There’s no better way t… More >>
Rosetta Stone Homeschool German 1 includes Audio Companion, Parent Administrative Tools, Supplemental Education Disk & Headset with Microphone
Rosetta Stone Homeschool features a foreign language curriculum specifically designed to provide homeschool students wit… More >>
Learn in Your Car German Complete (German Edition)
Our best-selling audio language-learning program provides comprehensive grammar and vocabulary to beginners and advanced… More >>
goGerman: Learn to Speak, Read, and Understand German with Pimsleur Language Programs (Gopimsleur)
The Pimsleur® Method teaches speaking and understanding right from the start For almost 50 years, in over 50 langua… More >>
EuroTalk Interactive – Talk Now! Learn German
Talk Now! is the world’s best selling language learning CD-ROM series for beginners, used by more than three million peo… More >>

Robert McEwan is a lifestyle & entertainment journalist who specialises in writing articles, features, reports and reviews in the United States and Europe. To access one of the best German Language Learning Software products available and learn to speak fluent German in under 8 weeks please click here.


Related Blogs

Leave your Comment

Are We There Yet? 3 Easy Tips to Keep You Motivated to Learn German Fluently

Move me momma! Just to jump right in and say it like it is. We all know that there are many different types of motivation, but the type that we are concerned with is intrinsic verses extrinsic motivation. Intrinsic motivation refers to the desire to do something that pleases you and makes you pat yourself on the back. Most studies have shown it to be much more effective in long-term language learning than extrinsic motivation (for an external reward such as impressing the boss or your peers). Unfortunately, most of us are not lucky enough to hire a personal pep squad or self-improvement coach to keep us motivated. Yup, you are going to have to find the power within yourself. It seems that to become fluent in German will take time and perseverance, so how can you stay motivated?

1. Fraternal Twins Separated At Birth

Yes, the process of learning German can be very stressful but keep in mind the cool thing about German is that modern German and modern English both originated from the common Germanic ancestor language and despite their distinct differences, the two languages share many similarities in both vocabulary and grammar. Also, German is spelled phonetically. This means that once you learn the system of sounds, it is easy to predict how the spoken word is written and how the written word is pronounced. Know your German ABCs and you will be better equipped to learn to speak German quickly.

2. Oktoberfest Anyone?

If your ultimate goal is to learn to speak German fluently, then it is important to know that you will become more fluent quickly if you maximize your language exposure. You can start by simply practicing the language with a classmate outside of class. You can befriend native speakers in your community or attend a local foreign language conversation hour, if one exists. Rent a German DVD, or listen to authentic German audio or video online. Or you could attend your local Oktoberfest or plan a trip to attend the world famous Munich Oktoberfest. The first the first Oktoberfest was held on October 12, 1810 and lasted 6 days. The festivities were in honor of the Bavarian Crown Prince Ludwig’s marriage to Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen. In Munich the “die Wiesen” (as the locals call it) starts around late September and lasts for sixteen days up to the first Sunday in October. The festival is a vibrant venue where you can eat sauerkraut, drink German beer, practice your German and expose yourself to Bavarian culture.

3. The Gift Of The Gab

Whenever possible, speak German aloud rather than reciting it silently to yourself. Say vocabulary words out loud, read passages in the text aloud, and do pronunciation activities orally. Transferring language from your mind to your mouth is a skill that requires a great deal of practice. And you should practice German actively frequently.

The process of learning German can be very stressful, and the impact of your own positive or negative attitudes can be critical to your learning. Self-motivation is the key to staying on track and achieving fluency. Because German and English have similarities, you have a head start when learning German. Ultimately, to learn to speak German online or otherwise is all about you. Therefore, you must play an active role in your learning by jumping at the opportunities to speak, listen and comprehend German. You’ll meet new people, make new friends and most importantly, learn German fluently.

In-Flight German: Learn Before You Land
Living Language In-Flight German is the perfect boarding pass to learning German before you land.There’s no better way t… More >>
Rosetta Stone German Level 1 with Audio Companion
Foreign language learning with Rosetta Stone German Level 1 with Audio Companion includes everything you need to begin l… More >>
Michel Thomas Method German Advanced, 5-CD Program (Michel Thomas Series)
Discover the language-learning method millions around the world have come to trust Unlike most language-learning syst… More >>
Learn German in a Hurry: Grasp the Basics of German Schnell!
You may recognize the distinct sound of the German language when you hear it-but that’s not enough if you’re planning … More >>
Learn to Speak German 8.0 (Win95/98)
Germany has produced some of the Western world’s greatest thinkers, and for good reason. The precision and scope of the… More >>
Learn in Your Car German Complete (German Edition)
Our best-selling audio language-learning program provides comprehensive grammar and vocabulary to beginners and advanced… More >>
Swiss German, Compact: Learn to Speak and Understand Swiss German with Pimsleur Language Programs (Simon & Schuster’s Pimsleur)
The 10-lesson (5-CD) Compact course introduces the customer to the language and culture of Switzerland. Customers will … More >>

Paul W. Brown has a passion for languages and life-long learning.


Related Blogs

    Leave your Comment

    Secret Ways You Can Learn German Fast

    Are you wondering how you can learn to speak and understand German fast and easy? You might even ask yourself if it is even possible. Maybe you are planning a trip to Austria or even directly to Hamburg in Germany. It does not matter what your reason is for learning the German language, as long as you know how to learn German fast and easy so that you can converse with your new found holiday friends as fast as you can. They will respect you so much more for learning their proud language to begin with. You will be surprised how many doors it can open for you over there.

    It’s really not as difficult as you might think. An important aspect of learning any foreign language is to develop a good ear for the way the new language sounds. Listen to native German speakers as they talk. You will discover that many German sounds, sound totally different from their English rival. “Th” in German is pronounced like an English “T.” The letter “G” is never soft, either. Features like this make German sound harsh and hard to the English ear but the more you listen and identify them, the easier it will be for you to learn German fast, because you’re internalizing the sound of the language.

    Now, rent a movie starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, or any actor or actress with a pronounced German accent. Practice speaking some of the actor’s lines, mimicking the accent as closely as possible. You’re still speaking English but you’re using your newly-trained ear to teach yourself what German feels like on the tongue. Becoming familiar with the sound and feel of the German language will help you master the German language faster than if you were to learn it from scratch as a foreign sounding language.

    Of course, neither of those steps really teaches you German. For that you need some kind of course. Many people nowadays enjoy online learning, because they can study at their own pace and repeat lessons until they’ve mastered them. Others prefer learning from CDs or through taking a class. Whichever way you choose to study, however, make sure your coursework emphasizes oral conversation. Learning German is a dynamic activity, and you can’t learn to speak the language from a book because the book can’t speak back. You will learn German fast only if you speak it and hear it spoken.

    Please take note of this very important tip as you learn to speak German: remember that all German nouns have genders they are either masculine, feminine, or neuter. This isn’t something we have to worry about in English, so gendered nouns may be new to you. Masculine nouns include dog (der Hund) and coat (der Mantel). Feminine nouns include blanket (die Decke) and vacation (die Ferien). Neuter nouns include house (das Haus) and pig (das Schwein). As you can see, the article “the” can be translated as either “der,” “die,” or “das” depending upon the gender of the noun it accompanies. There’s no way to predict whether a noun is going to be masculine, feminine, or neuter, so if you want to learn German fast, always remember to learn the proper article at the same time you learn the noun.

    Finally, here is the most important way to learn German fast: I recommend you make a German friend so that you can practice having a German conversation whenever you have the opportunity to do so! Dialogues on tapes or CDs are great, but to really get the feel of a language, you need to speak it just as you would your own. For that you need a partner. You’ll not only learn German fast that way, but you’ll improve your social life at the same time!

    German Made Simple: Learn to speak and understand German quickly and easily
    Learning German Has Never Been Easier! Whether you are studying the language in school, planning a trip to Germany or Au… More >>
    German, Conversational: Learn to Speak and Understand German with Pimsleur Language Programs (Simon & Schuster’s Pimsleur)
    The 16-lesson (8 CDs) Conversational Course gives customers the first half of the incredibly effective and efficient, wo… More >>
    Learn to Speak German Essentials
    Learn to Speak German Today!  Designed by leading language experts, Learn to Speak German is an innovative instructiona… More >>
    Learn German the Fast and Fun Way (Fast and Fun Way Series)
    Updated with helpful facts and tips for international travelers, this new third editions of Learn German the Fast and Fu… More >>
    Let’s Learn German Picture Dictionary
    Created by leading educators, these colorful, large-size dictionaries introduce beginning language learners to more than… More >>
    EuroTalk Interactive – Talk Now! Learn German
    Talk Now! is the world’s best selling language learning CD-ROM series for beginners, used by more than three million peo… More >>
    German Conversation Demystified with Two Audio CDs
    Unlock the riddle of speaking and interacting in German German Demystified provides you with a solid foundation for b… More >>
    German Language Phrases: Learn to Speak German – Active Table of Contents
    DON’T LEAVE FOR YOUR NEXT INTERNATIONAL TRIP BEFORE READING THROUGH THIS ‘LITTLE WONDER’!This book has been updated with… More >>
    goGerman: Learn to Speak, Read, and Understand German with Pimsleur Language Programs (Gopimsleur)
    The Pimsleur® Method teaches speaking and understanding right from the startFor almost 50 years, in over 50 languages, … More >>
    Rosetta Stone German Level 1, 2 & 3 Set with Audio Companion
    Foreign language learning with Rosetta Stone German Levels 1, 2&3 you connect with the world around you. With level one… More >>

    Gerrit runs the popular language learning site www.learnalanguage.me. Do YOU want more ways to learn German fast? Visit the Rocket German download site for more info and get your FREE 6 day German course.

    Leave your Comment