Tips To Improve Your German Before and After Moving to Germany (Experts Guide)

If you’ve spent any time on the internet looking for information or asking questions about migrating abroad, you’ve encountered the same response several times. “Do you speak the language?” seems to be a common question asked or mentioned by others. This is undoubtedly also typical in Germany. In this blog, we will give you tips to improve your German before and after moving to Germany.

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Tips To Improve Your German: Introduction

German is Germany’s official language and is spoken by more than 95% of the country’s population. In German schools, English is the first foreign language taught. When compared to other European nations, English is more common in Germany, where over half of the population speaks it to some degree. This is especially true in famous tourist destinations.

In big cities such as Berlin, Hamburg, Frankfurt, and Munich, it is still less complicated to get by in English. However, the use of English will only decline as you move from large cities to smaller towns or villages, particularly when interacting with the elderly population. This occasionally causes issues when renting a home, or a vehicle, or enquiring about bus routes.

While it is undoubtedly possible to do this by Googling, putting your phone in front of people too much may irritate them rather than start a conversation. Furthermore, you can’t always rely on the network reception for it to function.

It will be simpler if you know just a few basic German phrases if your stay in Germany will be brief and primarily confined to the country’s largest cities. On the other hand, studying German can make your life easier if you intend to relocate permanently to Germany.

Tips To Improve Your German Before and After Moving to Germany (Experts Guide)

The sources available to you and the circumstances you are in are different in Germany and your home country. So, it is natural that tips to improve your German before and after moving to Germany might be slightly different. So, let us look into some tips to improve your German before and after moving to Germany to get you into learning.

Tips To Improve Your German Before Moving to Germany

There’s a good reason why people recommend learning German before settling in Germany. Learning German is essential for leading a happy and comfortable life in Germany. But in most cases, you don’t have to be as fluent as a native before going to Germany. But you can still do your part before starting your journey. Some tips to improve your German before moving to Germany are listed below.

Use a Textbook to Learn Grammar and Structure

Good textbooks are very effective at teaching difficult ideas. Complicated concepts such as strong/weak inflexion for adjectives and subjunctive 2 are far simpler to grasp with a clear explanation and accompanied by examples than with repetition and guesswork. So, look into the reviews of German language books online and find the one most suitable for you.

Join A Course to Learn German from The Basics

Since you have no previous knowledge or familiarity with the German language, it will be better if you start this journey with the guidance of a professional instructor. This is the exact facility that is provided in the online German language course provided by the Entri app. The teachers in this program will lead you step by step from a total beginner to various proficiency levels of German language learning. Join the Entri Online German course as soon as possible and make your language learning easier with the help of expert guidance.

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Listen to Podcasts

Use podcasts to improve your listening skills. There are several German-language podcasts available. They vary in quality, with many focusing on simple vocabulary repetition. Some such amazing podcasts are listed among the language-learning resources in the final section.

Watch YouTube Videos

Numerous channels on YouTube can help you learn German. Of course, there are standard language study channels that teach viewers German. These are fantastic for a variety of reasons, one of which is that they teach the underlying fundamentals of the language while speaking in their distinct genuine German accents. Each has its quirks and style, so choose one you prefer and let them teach you.

Gamify Language Learning

The process of teaching your brain a new language has been transformed by language learning applications. Learning new languages is now simple, inexpensive, and enjoyable. But be aware and never depend on these apps to learn the basics or foundations of the language. Use them to learn, practise and revise your vocabulary and pronunciation.

Watch Löwenzahn

This is the ultimate advice or tip that can be given to a beginner-level German language learner. It’s more of a very certain kind of content than it is a channel. Old episodes of Löwenzahn, a German children’s program are a great way to supplement your German learning. The German term for “dandelion” is Löwenzahn, which translates to “lion tooth.”

It instructs young German children on everything about the world and how it functions. It covers every topic you can think of, including the generation and distribution of power to your home, the German environmental movement, and the process of making bread. You can view videos with German subtitles if you want to learn the language more quickly by mentally associating words with sounds.

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Tips To Improve Your German After moving to Germany

Sometimes we will not get enough time to prepare for the move. And sometimes even though we have begun learning German, we may not have attained any level of fluency. But no need to despair! There are many tips to improve your German after moving to Germany. Some of them are listed below.

Join an Integration Course

What exactly is an Integration Course? It combines 600 lesson units of German language instruction (levels A1–B1) with 100 lesson units of orientation covering German politics, culture, history, and legal system.

Who is qualified to enrol in an integration course? You may be required to attend the integration course as a resident with an Aufenthaltstitel (residence title). Your eligibility to enrol in an integration course will be determined by the foreign authority office, which will issue you a Berechtigungsschein (entitlement certificate).

But there are some exceptions. Integration classes are not required for those who can show that they already speak German fluently, have completed integration programs in other EU nations or are enrolled in college or an apprenticeship, etc.

Where can I sign up for an integration course? You should consult your officer in the foreign authority office to get an appropriate answer to this.

Join a Professional Language Course

What is a professional language course, or Berufssprachkurs? As suggested by the name, it’s a professional or job-seeker-focused German language course. It can fall in the B1 or C1 range. Unlike the integration course, participation is optional.

For whom is the Berufssprachkurs appropriate? EU and non-EU immigrants, asylum seekers from dangerous countries of origin, and Germans with a migratory background who have finished an integration course or at least hold a B1 certificate, are registered as job searchers, or whose area of work needs additional language training.

You can ask your Jobcentre officer for a list of institutions you can join for the professional language course.

Sharing a Flat

Your living circumstance presents the finest potential for language acquisition. As you go out with neighbours from your shared apartment or student house or cook together, you’ll pick up German from your fellow students with ease.

The Media

To get better at German, it’s a good idea to read newspapers, watch TV, or listen to the radio every day. This will speed up the process of memorization of new words and phrases. If you maintain your curiosity and remain open-minded, you will advance quickly.

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Why Learn and Improve Your German Language Before Moving to Germany?

While in some cases it might be seen that learning German might not be mandatory, there are cases where it is. Some such cases are discussed below.

Migration, Residence Permit and Citizenship

It could be necessary for some expatriates to take an integration course and pick up some basic German. A B1 proficiency certificate in German is the minimum need for obtaining German citizenship through naturalization, and a permanent residence permit also requires some understanding of the language.

Employment Opportunities

A reasonable command of the language may not be required for many employees in Germany because the business operates primarily in English. However, in many cases, even with sufficient professional qualifications, not knowing the language may limit your employment prospects.

College and University Admissions

Since the early 2000s, German universities have required all overseas applicants to have a basic understanding of the German language before accepting admission to any form of higher education institution, regardless of their background or home country.

One of the key reasons German institutions demand overseas students to learn their language is that it allows them to better integrate into the social circle. Furthermore, becoming acquainted with customs and culture enables success both academically and professionally in Germany.

Why German Language Skills Is Important for Germany?

Are you thinking of migrating to Germany without learning German? It can be an intimidating and overwhelming experience. Even if you could manage with just English, learning the language is strongly advised. German is the native tongue of the country. Therefore, learning German will make your life a lot simpler. Here are some of the reasons why studying German is vital.

Engage In Conversation with Locals

Communicating with locals is crucial if you intend to live and work in Germany. Speaking German will help you establish relationships, meet new people, and feel more at home in the country because not everyone in Germany speaks English.

Get Employment

Many firms in Germany need their employees to speak German, even if it is easy to find jobs that require only English knowledge. Studying German is essential if you want to improve your chances of landing a good job.

Manage Your Everyday Life

You’ll find it easier to get by in Germany if you know a little bit of German. Speaking the language will save you a great deal of effort and time, whether ordering takeout or reading traffic signs.

More Travel Opportunities

Speaking German will enhance your travel experiences whether you’re visiting Germany or other European nations like Switzerland, Austria, Luxembourg, and even Northern Italy. Speaking with the locals in their language will allow you to have interesting conversations and experiences in addition to ensuring your safety and preventing miscommunication.

In addition to all these German-speaking nations, you’ll gain from your next vacation to destinations like Spain or Turkey, where the inhabitants are more likely to speak German than English.

Helpful for Your Business

Many people start businesses themselves instead of joining an already existing company. It’s excellent for the company.

Germany has one of the strongest economies in Europe and is one of the most powerful nations. Since the nation produces some of the best automobiles in the world, it has developed a reputation for sheer brilliance in a variety of fields, including engineering.

Proficiency in both comprehension and communication in German is highly advantageous while seeking employment in the country or starting a business that conducts business with the European Union.

Moreover, despite not being an official language, German is well-represented in the UN! In brief, fluency in German is often necessary for economic success if you are starting a firm in the European continent.

Science and Research

Many foreign students wish to turn to scientific research instead of seeking employment after completing their graduation in Germany. English may be the language of science these days, but knowing the language is essential if you work in academia or do research, particularly if you reside in Germany.

Speaking German will not only help you obtain more papers and information, but it will also allow you to enter the most important marketplaces, expanding the potential audience for your research.

It Will Make Living in European Countries Easier

Studying a little German before obtaining a visa and travelling to Germany, Austria, or Switzerland can significantly impact your experience and day-to-day living if you intend to work or study there. Speaking the language may also facilitate the application process for government assistance or scholarships.

Language Resources to Improve German Skills

Many language learning resources could help you improve your German skills. Some of them are listed below.

Comprehensive German Language Courses

If you want to start learning German right away, one option is to enrol in a comprehensive course. Have you heard about the online German language course offered by the Entri app? They give coaching for learning the German language from the A1 level to the C2 level.

The course covers every aspect of the German language, from basic to advanced, and is divided into levels. The course aims to improve students’ listening and reading abilities through entertaining assignments and activities like games, quizzes, and tasks. Additionally, the app provides live and recorded classes taught by qualified and experienced instructors. Lessons use video and audio lectures to create a welcoming environment where students may practice speaking and interacting with others. Moreover, they offer students in-app support and tailored feedback to help them advance and determine their areas of strength and weakness.

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Bite-Sized German Online Resources

If you rely solely on one resource, you’re not going to learn German well. Alternatively, consider incorporating some short-form German exercises and educational resources into your everyday schedule. You will be happy to hear that the Entri app provides these types of revision quizzes and activities along with their program.

Books for Beginners

You can naturally acquire fluency in German while simultaneously improving your reading and writing abilities by reading many German stories. Some such books are listed below.

Short Stories in German (Beginner & Intermediate)

This book is written by Olly Richards. German short stories provide a pleasant diversion from mastering vocabulary lists and grammar rules. Story-based learning keeps you emotionally involved and facilitates context-based learning of German, which improves your memory of the material later on.

101 Conversations in Simple German and 101 Conversations in Intermediate German

This book is also written by Olly Richards. One of the most difficult parts of learning a language can be developing the courage to speak German. Your spoken German will get better from the everyday exchanges provided in this book.

German 30-Day Mastery Books

This is another book written by Olly Richards. This book will assist you in mastering the notoriously challenging areas of German grammar and language. These books employ quick immersion and story-based learning to help you speak German confidently.

Blogs And Podcasts in German

German blogs and podcasts are fantastic opportunities to hear spoken German and learn from native speakers. You can learn about distinct German accents and hear German from various locations and nations. Some famous German Blogs and podcasts are listed below.

• Coffee Break German
• Easy German
• Deutsche Welle
• SWR2 Wissen

German YouTube Channels

You may hear native speakers, pick up new vocabulary, and enhance your spoken German by using YouTube to learn the language. Some famous YouTube channels that might help you learn German are provided below.

• Hallo Deutschschule
• Lingoni German
• Deutsch Verstehen

Online German Speaking Partners

Speaking German is essential to learning the language. Fortunately, there are numerous internet resources for finding a language partner and practising German from the comfort of your own home. Some of those resources are listed below.

• LanguaTalk
• HelloTalk
• Tandem

Online German Immersion Materials

Your proficiency in German will increase as you study the language, necessitating the use of more sophisticated resources. At this point, you can explore content designed for native German speakers rather than German learners.

As an intermediate or advanced learner, you can challenge yourself with the tools below to reach the highest degree of fluency in German.

• German Conversations: Listening and comprehension activities
• German Grammar Hero
• Deutsche Podcasts

Online German Dictionaries

A trustworthy online German dictionary is useful when you need to quickly find the definition of a word. The best German-English dictionaries for quick translations are listed here.

• org
• cc
• Beolingus

Tips to Improve German Language Skills

Here we discuss some general tips that can be applied to improve your German language knowledge.

• Look into the literal translation of each sentence into English. Even though it may sound funny and wrong, it will help you understand the structure and syntax of the language.
• Pay attention to the grammar and basic rules at the beginning stage of learning.
• But never hang on to the grammar part in such a way that you fail to advance in language learning. If such a case arises, then memorize that sentence and believe that it will make sense as you learn more.
• Use the new words you learn with old sentence structure that you have already mastered.
• Talk out loud. Practising conversations with oneself and learning peers is an important part of the learning process and it will help you gain confidence.
• Practice your German writing in longhand.
• Learn to group similar sentences and words.
• Use a word frequency list to improve your German vocabulary.
• Learn to use more modal verbs and use less amount of conjugations
• Get a practice partner who speaks German fluently and practise conversations with them.
• Learn the German syntax to understand where each type of word lies in a sentence.
• While learning German prepositions learn them with cases and examples.
• Use authentic material to study German.
• Learn regular as well as irregular verb forms in German.
• Make use of German culture to learn the German language.
• While learning, practise the nouns and genders at the same time.
• Learn cognates to improve your vocabulary and understanding faster.

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Tips to Improve Your German before and after moving to Germany: Conclusion

And that’s our quick guide to learning German! You may start speaking German in no time at all if you use the above shortcuts for learning the language.