Feeling a bit stuck when it comes to learning German?
Here are 10 ways to improve your learning:
☑️Don’t compare yourself to others
We all learn differently and some of us may have had a language learning advantange. Don’t compare yourself to them, only compare yourself to yourself from yesterday or last week or last month etc…
☑️Make time for your studies
If you find this difficult find a time and schedule it in your diary. Set a reminder. For example, if you use a Google calendar it can send a notification to your phone.
☑️Set goals
Not those ‘I want to be fluent in 3 months’ goals! Think of goals that are realistic for you. If you’re not sure start with a general goal of ‘I want to spend 5 minutes every day to learn some German’. If that’s too easy then make it harder. Maybe something like ‘By the end of the month I want to have completed this chapter in the book’.
☑️Ask for help
Yes, ask! Ask your tutor or fellow students or, if you are learning on your own, ask me, or ask in my Facebook group Ask Angelika Somebody will know the answer and others might be pleased you asked.
☑️Practise reading, speaking, listening and writing
To really improve your German you need to ensure that you practise all four skills, not just the ones you like 😉. You can always finish a session with the skill you like. That way you’ll finish with somethig enjoyable.
☑️Buy an online course
My favourite (especially, if it’s one of my courses 😉)! My online courses are cheaper than individual lessons and once you’ve purchased them you can revisit them as often as you need to or like. Also, unlike lessons with a tutor, you can watch the videos when it’s convenient to you, whenever that may be.
☑️Invest in lessons
Learning on your own is doable, especially as there is so much information online, but every so often you might come across a problem that you can’t solve on your own or that can’t be answered in a quick conversation.
A tutor will help and usually you can arrange lessons to your requirements. I, for example, can offer weekly lessons, or fortnightly or even monthly. Lessons can be one hour or two (if we can find a suitable time for both of us) or even 30 minutes.
Alternatively, you can book one-off lessons with me as and when you feel you need them. Get in contact if you’d like to discuss this further.
☑️Find a quiet place to learn
For most people a quiet place is better for learning, especially when it involves listening excercises. But it doesn’t have to be a special room in your house, although that would be best. If it’s too noisy at home, go to the park (obviously not when it’s raining) or maybe you travel by train a lot. You could sit in the quiet coach with your headphones. Just remember not to speak out loud! If all fails maybe the bathroom might be a good choice – if you can lock the door 😉
☑️Keep a journal
Keeping a journal is a good idea to keep track of your learning. It helps with setting goals but also with checking what you are struggling with. Seeing what you have tried to solve, for example a grammar problem will help with finding other solutions or when asking for help.
Even better, writing and later reading about your successes can be a huge boost when things don’t quite go to plan. Check out my planners, journals or printable resources. There might be something suitable for you.
☑️Read more books
Yes, Schiller, Goethe … no, actually, even I haven’t read them. Just find something that is a little challenging for you and for enjoyment also something that is easy. Ask, if you need some advice.
Do you need help reaching your goal of German fluency? I can help you. Message me
