How Long Does It Take to Learn German language: A Complete Guide

Having good German skills may not be easy, but it is definitely possible for anyone willing to put in the time and effort. There are many ways to learn a language: online or offline, free or paid, using lessons or apps in real life, taking lessons or working with a tandem partner. Whether you have advanced knowledge of German or are a beginner, you can use one of these options, or even multiple options at the same time, to speed up the process. Make sure you can communicate easily, and learning how to order food or buy bus tickets in German will be useful from day one. 

Is learning to speak German hard?

Learning a language takes time and determination. The same goes for German. Be determined enough and work hard to achieve your goals. If you’re confused about getting started, we’ve put together some tips in this article to help you learn to speak German quickly. Let’s be honest. Chinese may find it more difficult to learn German than English speakers.

Because German belongs to the Germanic family, which belongs to the Indo-European language family, it has many similarities with other Germanic languages ​​such as English or Dutch.

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Why Learn the German Language

There are many reasons to learn German; below we will given 15 of them:

Earn

• Germany is the second largest exporting country in the world.
• The German economy ranks first in Europe and fourth in the world. Its economy is comparable to that of all Spanish-speaking countries in the world combined.
• Germany is home to many different companies.
• Germany’s direct investment in the USA exceeded 10 billion dollars.

Know

• Germany has the most speakers in the European Union(more than English, Spanish or French).
• German is one of the ten most spoken languages ​in the world. It is also the lingua franca of Central and Eastern Europe.
• While scientists from the three main German-speaking countries won 22 Nobel Prizes in Physics, 30 Prizes in Chemistry and 25 Prizes in Medicine, scientists from many other countries also studied at German universities. Eleven Nobel Prizes in Literature have been awarded to German writers, and seven Germans and Austrians have received the Peace Prize.
• Germany is the world leader in engineering.
• German and English are similar. Many words in German have the same sound and/or sound as their English counterparts because both languages ​share the same word for “woman.” For example, look at these words:
  • Haus = house, Buch = book, Finger = finger, Hand = hand,
  • Name = name, Mutter = mother, schwimmen = swim,
  • singen = to sing, kommen = to come, blau = blue, alt = old,
  • windig = windy.
• The German-speaking world has produced some of the most respected filmmakers of the 20th century, from Fritz Lang to Rainer Werner Fassbinder to Wim Wenders, as well as a new generation of leaders from different cultures, such as Tom Tykwer and Fatih Akin. German and Austrian filmmakers like Lang, Billy Wilder and Ernst Lubitsch are also like Hollywood history.

Think

• German is the language of Goethe, Marx, Nietzsche, Kafka, Mann, Brecht and Grass. Mozart, Bach, Beethoven, Schubert, Brahms, Schumann, Wagner, Mahler and Schonberg spoke and wrote in German, as well as Freud, Weber, Einstein, Heisenberg, Kant, Hegel and Heidegger.
• German is the second most spoken language in the world.
• 18% of the world’s books are published in German, few of which have English translations.
• German is the gateway to higher education in the world.
• Philosophy, literature, music, art history, religion, philosophy, philosophy, chemistry, physics, engineering, medicine, etc. of the Western world. Many of his most important works in these fields were written in German

The German Level You Want to Achieve

Let’s get straight to the point. Although it is difficult to determine precisely, we tried to estimate the time required to achieve beginner, intermediate and advanced levels of German.

Beginning Level

New speakers should be able to express themselves, know simple and slow language, and ask simple questions (maybe make a few mistakes in the process)

• Ability to greet people.
• Submit a request for a table in the restaurant. Order food at the restaurant.
• Know that someone is speaking to you slowly and deliberately.
• Some simple reading.

Intermediate Level

Once you reach the intermediate level, you will be able to understand everyday conversation (if spoken clearly), even if you need to ask questions for clarification from time to time. The intermediate level also allows users to .

• Listen to videos and read news without having difficulty understanding the main content.
• Ask for directions and follow directions.
• Have easy conversations with locals about familiar topics.

Advanced Level

If you want to meet this demand, achieving advanced language skills is what you need. If you reach the level you have reached, you will be able to cope with many situations that you will encounter in your daily life or on the road.

• Having in-depth conversations with German speakers.
• Watch movies without subtitles.
• Easy way to read the German book you want to read.

How Long Does It Take To Learn German?

Ultimately, how quickly you learn German depends on the time you devote to learning the language. Working time is most accurately measured in minutes and hours, not months and years. Therefore, if you plan to practice every day, you will learn faster.

Learning German is estimated to take approximately 30 weeks or 750 hours in the classroom. However, you can complete 750 hours per month or year. It all depends on your training and available time:

• Language students who practice a method of complete immersion, with eight hours of practice per day, could learn German to a high level in a matter of months.
  • Studying 8 hours per day, 5 days per week you could complete 750 hours in less than 20 weeks
• Those who dedicate at least one hour per day to language learning can achieve an intermediate level within two years.
  • Studying 1 hour per day, every day you could complete 750 hours in a little over 2 years.

As we see in this article, other factors can also affect the time it takes to learn German. Since German and English have many similarities, language learners can take advantage of them to save time.

There are many exceptions to the rules of English grammar and spelling. German, on the other hand, has some exceptions to the rules, making it increasingly easier to learn.

How long it takes to learn German is up to you.

The more time you devote to your daily practices, the faster progress you will see. If you can go to Germany or any other place related to German culture yourself, this will also help you learn faster.

But ultimately, whether you study abroad or at home, it all depends on how much time you  dedicate and spend to learning the language.

How Long Does it Take to Achieve Beginner/Intermediate/Advanced Level?

So let’s get to the point. Although it’s hard to say for sure, we’ve tried to estimate how long it might take you to reach beginner, intermediate and advanced levels of German.

Beginner

Beginner speakers will be able to introduce themselves, understand the slow and simple spoken language, and ask basic questions (probably making some mistakes!).

This level is probably enough if you want to…

• Knowing how to greet people.
• To order food in a restaurant.
• To understand when someone speaks to you slowly and carefully.
• Some basic reading skills.

You will be able to do all these things after approximately 180-200 hours (level A2) of German lessons. This means that if you are motivated and willing to put in 10-15 hours a week, you can safely travel to Germany in just over three months!

So get down to studying and you’ll soon be having some basic conversations with native speakers!

Intermediate Level

If you reach an intermediate level, you’ll be able to understand everyday conversation (if it’s spoken intelligibly), although you’ll have to ask a few questions here and there to keep up. This level will also allow you to…

• Watch videos and read news without much trouble understanding the main points.
• Ask for directions and follow them.
• Have basic interactions with locals on familiar topics.

We estimate that you will need approximately 350 hours of study to reach an intermediate level in German. This means that if you spend around 15 hours a week practicing German, you will be able to reach this level in just six months!

Advanced

If you want to achieve fluency, this is what you’re aiming for: advanced language skills. With this level you will basically be able to…

• To navigate any situation that may arise in your daily life or while traveling.
• Have detailed conversations with native speakers.
• Watch movies without subtitles.
• Read books in German without problems.

You’ll be fluent!

Top 5 Major factors how long does it take to learn German?

If you are wondering how long it takes to learn German, then let us tell you that it completely depends on the assignment you make. Learning this foreign language depends on several factors. The factors vary greatly from student to student. This can make a big difference in the amount of time it takes to become fluent in the language. Learning depends on several things:

• How much effort did you put in?
• How much practice did you do?
• What type of techniques do you use?

Let’s look at five main factors:

1) The German Level you want to learn

Motivated people are more likely to succeed in language learning and also more likely to give up. So how long does it take to speak German?

Keep in mind the benefits of studying German and what level of German you want to study. This way you will be able to maintain your concentration and learn more as a result.

German has different levels from A1 to C2.

• Basic A1 to A2 – Participating in an intensive course takes approximately 60 hours for A1 and 120 hours for A2.
• Intermediate B1 to B2 – German level B1 takes 200 hours and B2 around 300 hours to become fluent.
• Advance level from C1 to C2 – C1 takes around 240 hours and C2 level takes around 240 hours to complete the entire course and become a professional in German.

The time frame depends on the levels you choose to learn. Joining a German language course will help you reach an advanced level.

So how long does it take to learn German? Learning German will probably take 30 weeks or 750 hours. Your constant focus and determination will help you complete all the levels. It is possible to learn casually and slowly if your only goal is to communicate with German natives and work in German nations.

2) Find the right Teacher and Study Material

One of the most important factors is finding the right teacher in the beginning. Study or reference material is essential to your learning process.

As a result, it is crucial to select the most accurate sources possible. When choosing a topic, keep in mind that the language or way of presentation must be simple to understand and absorb. Explore all available options and find the most suitable one. So, how long will it take to learn German? If you have a great teacher, you will probably learn German much faster.

Moreover, self-study is not so effective when you want to learn faster. You need to find the best tutor for learning German.

There are many institutes providing German courses, but we strongly recommend you to choose the best one.

3) Language Learning Experience

How long does it take to learn German if you know a foreign language? Have you ever been bilingual? If so, studying German can make you get ahead of yourself.

Learning more about the components and the unique features it offers is one of the first steps to learning German. If you previously studied foreign grammar, memorized phrases, listened to different sounds and looked at difficult letters. This will help you become more familiar with learning a new language.

4) Focusing more on German Grammar Structure 

Start focusing more on German grammar to speak fluently in German. It will help you speak German more naturally. Maintain a proper notebook of grammar sentence structure. Buy a book full of nouns, verbs, and adverbs. Try to translate your English phrases into German. So, how long does it take to learn German with this technique? Immersing yourself completely in German help you learn faster. Online immersion programs are more beneficial. Once you master German Grammar, communication skills get better.

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5) Time you devote to studying the Language 

Have you seen the videos that promise a “30-day physique transformation“? Do you believe that these rapid improvements are possible for individuals who engage in one meal change or 20 minutes of activity per week? No!

Of course, you have to use the same reasoning when studying languages.

Continuous efforts such as reading German books, listening to German podcasts and learning new phrases and words can make a big difference. However, you will only “sort of” learn German if you make a modest effort.

What Makes German Difficult To Learn

There are many reasons why the process of learning a language may not happen as quickly as you would like.

Some common obstacles include:

• Loss of motivation due to complex grammar concepts
• Lack of exposure or practice
• Working with the wrong teacher or tutor
• Using ineffective methods

1. Keeping you motivated

It is important to maintain a high level of motivation throughout your language studies.

Make a list of the reasons why you want to learn German, how it can benefit you in life, and what you can do when you become proficient.

Keeping these goals in mind will help you stay motivated and on track.

2.Tackling German grammar

German grammar can seem complicated and some concepts can be hard to understand at first. A teacher can help here.

It is almost impossible to learn a language without the help of an expert. A teacher or tutor can help you quickly grasp the new grammar and get the pronunciation right.

German grammar is more precise and complicated than English, so you have to face obstacles along the way.

Instead of spending hours on your own trying to grasp a concept, prepare a list of difficult subjects to go through with your tutor.

German grammar doesn’t have to be extremely complicated. The right language tutor or course can explain even the most difficult concepts clearly and simply.

However, if you have the wrong teacher or method, these concepts can seem even more difficult and lead to a lack of motivation to continue learning.

If the methods or teacher you’ve chosen aren’t working after a few months, it may be time to consider changing your approach.

3. Practice makes perfect

Even if you have found the optimal language tutor or course and are highly motivated, your language progress can be slowed down by lack of practice.

Daily contact with the language is essential for rapid learning. Practice speaking, reading, writing or listening on a daily basis to confirm what you have learned in classes.

How Entri Can Help

What are you waiting for? Right now is the right time to start learning a new language!

The sooner you start learning, the faster you will reach your language goals and start speaking German. How long it takes to learn German depends primarily on how much time you are willing to invest. Our courses and resources are specially designed to give you all the right tools to learn German as quickly and easily as possible, so that your precious time is well spent!

Whether you’re a beginner looking to fully immerse yourself or an advanced speaker just needing to brush up on your skills, you’ll find what you’re looking for here.

FAQs

Is it difficult to learn German?

Try not to be put off by how difficult people say learning German can be. Some learners may feel daunted because the language includes male and female forms of words as well as compound words and linguistic cases they are not used to, but this is similar to many other (European) languages, and, ultimately, it is just a case of learning rules and vocabulary by rote.