Introduction:

Both German and English belong to the Germanic branch of the Indo-European languages family. However, there are many differences between both languages. When learning a new language, similarities between the languages are very helpful, however, understanding the differences is also very important. If you want to learn German and are not yet ready to invest in a class and wondering if it is possible to learn German without a teacher or all by yourself, then, yes, it is possible.

Before we actually look into what you can do to learn German all by yourself, let us understand that learning without a teacher, all by yourself would be a lot of work. You have to start from the beginning and make sure that you follow a structured process to make your learning productive and at the same time interesting.

• Start with a goal 

Do you start a journey without a destination? It’s the same with learning German as well. Set a goal for yourself with a timeline. This will help you learn in an organized manner and ensure that you do not lose focus. You can start with simple goals like learning the alphabet at a specific time or learning five new words every day and using them in your own sentences. As you make progress, always move towards bigger goals such as learning grammar and practicing conversation on a daily basis.

• What are your resources to learn all by yourself?

Your resources will play a major role in achieving your goals when it comes to learning German. You can start with the traditional method of referring to books.

• Books 

You can choose a book that allows you to learn German from the very basics. As you learn the alphabet, move towards building vocabulary and improve on grammar, you can slowly start reading short and simple stories. Stories especially written for kids can be your first step towards reading as these are usually short and simple. Reading helps you understand the sentence structure which in German is different from English.

• Websites 

If you are someone who spends a lot of time on the internet, why not use that time for learning German. You can find a website that teaches German from the beginning. Most of these teaching websites offer audio along with the alphabet and words. Using this feature allows you to understand the pronunciation.

• YouTube 

There are many YouTube tutorial channels that teach you, German, from the very beginning. Make good use of them.

• Apps 

These days it is not difficult to find a language learning app. You can simply install a German language learning app on your smartphone and learn on the go. These apps allow you to learn through fun games, quizzes, and many other activities that are interesting and easy to follow.

Along with these resources, you can watch German movies, shows, listen to music or podcasts, and even change the language settings on your phone and computer to get acquainted with the language.

Now let us look at what you can do to learn German.

• Read aloud 

You could be a beginner just starting with the alphabet or have progressed to reading short stories, make sure that you read aloud. This will help you learn the pronunciation and when you hear yourself you can understand your mistakes and correct them if any.

• Find a language partner to practice 

You become fluent in a language, only when you speak that language. There are many language exchange programs available online which can be very helpful to find a language partner with whom you can practice German.

Keep practicing – Find opportunities to practice. As you learn new vocabulary, relate it to the words that you learned earlier. Group words and phrases as you progress. Learn and practice contextually to converse confidently. Never miss an occasion where you can put your German skills to use.

A teacher can help you with organized learning and even clarify your doubts which is not very easy if you are learning by yourself. However, with grit and determination, nothing is impossible even learning the German language.