As you suspected, German definitely isn’t far down on the easiest to learn foreign language list. It’s still in the category of “easiest” languages, but, as you also very well know by now, it’s just a little more difficult than some of the others because of those tricky noun genders, compound words, articles, and endings.
German follows regular patterns in terms of how sounds are written and this makes it quite easy for beginners to have a fairly good go at speaking right away, even if they might stutter when faced with some of the longer words.
Easier Parts of Learning the German Language:
Now it’s time to look forward to the simple stuff!
Although mastering one of the challenging areas above feels really good, it’s nice to take breaks with some of the easier parts of learning the German language. What can you expect?
-
- The overall verb conjugation can be confusing at first, but the pattern is consistent, so it’s generally easy to learn.
- Irregular verbs only have irregular conjugations when used with du (you, familiar) and er/sie/es (he/she/it), giving you a nice pattern to remember.
- Verbs like sein and haben are used quite a bit, so you’ll remember them quickly.
- Many nouns genders follow patterns. So you should be fine with the majority of articles before nouns.
Study Strategies That Make Learning German Easier:
If you’re looking to make German easier to learn, you have to put in the work and maybe even invest a little money. Here are some strategies for simplifying your learning.
Multhibhashiis one of the best websites and apps for learning German the way native speakers really use it.
you may have heard that immersion—surrounding yourself with the written and spoken language—is the fastest and easiest way to learn German. Multhibhashi makes that possible no matter where you are.
For every lesson, a list of vocabulary is provided for easy reference and bolstered with plenty of examples of how each word is used in a sentence.
What German Skills Should You Focus On?
Fluency is measured by the ability to read, understand, write and speak a language. Each of these abilities requires their own skill sets, and they’re also all subject to the grammatical rules of the language.
As you set out on your German learning journey, you’ll not only need to memorize the rules of German grammar but also when to use them (and when to break the rules!) when writing and speaking.
A Step by Step Guide to Learning German on Your Own:
Step 1: Get a Rich German Reading Diet.
Step 2: Immerse Yourself in German Media.
Step 3: Start a Daily Journal in German.
Step 4: Write Letters to German Pen Pals.
Step 5: Express Yourself, Then Correct Yourself.
Step 6: Join German Clubs.
Step 7: Attend an Immersion Camp or Visit Germany.
Is German easy to learn?
I think a better question, in the end, is whether or not it’s fun to learn, because that’s a guaranteed yes—and if you love the learning process, it will never get too hard for you!
You’re going to encounter challenges and super easy spots in the German language, and that’s what makes it so intriguing. There will be ups and downs, and you’ve got to love them all.