Hallo! My name is Michel and I began my language-learning journey about a year and a half ago, shortly after joining a German company in the US. Learning German has been an incredibly fun, challenging, and rewarding experience.
In addition to working with Esther, I’ve explored a number of resources that have helped me learn about the German language, culture, and history. Over the course of the last 18 months, I’ve learned a few lessons that I hope will help you in your German language adventure, whether you’ve just started or have a few years under your belt.
It’s a process of trial and error
You’ll quickly find out that, while there are some proven methods that definitely work, there’s no “right way” to learn a language. What works for others might not work for you, and that’s okay! You might sign up for a class or buy a textbook only to find out that you’re struggling to grasp the material. That’s okay – don’t be hard on yourself. Take the time to test different tools and methods until you find a system that works. Mine involves a number of resources, explained below.
Find your style
One of the first lessons Esther taught me was that learning German (or any language) should be fun! I’m a visual and aural learner, so watching videos and listening to music are major components of my learning process. I like to read video subtitles and song lyrics to connect the written and spoken aspects of the language together. On YouTube, I watch Easy German and Nico’s Weg. In terms of music, Stark by Ich + Ich is a favorite tune of mine. Of course, you can’t go wrong with Nena’s classic 99 Luftballons.
It takes a team!
I’m fortunate to have colleagues, friends, and family who speak German. At work, some of my colleagues take the time to speak and webchat with me in German. They provide feedback if I have a question and will even correct me if I make a mistake (which is cool with me :-)). You might think you don’t know anyone who speaks German, but you’d be surprised! Even if you don’t, you’ll also find people who will be happy to support you in your journey
Go beyond the language
History, culture, geography, and other topics are all intertwined with language. Find some that are interesting to you and learn about their significance in Germany. Remember - Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Liechtenstein are all countries where German is an official language. There are so many ways to explore! My personal favorite is entertainment – I’m a big fan of the Deutschland trilogy, which has some history in there are well!
These points not only helped me attempt to grasp the language but also get an idea of what German corporate culture is like. There are some noticeable differences, such as emails I receive in German with a note that says “English translation below”, and meetings that begin promptly at the proposed time (an 11 o’clock meeting actually begins at 11:00, so you should be ready to go at 10:59!). While the company I work for is German, it has a global presence so I’m fortunate to have colleagues from all around the world! It has truly been a fun experience.
I wish you the best of luck on your journey and hope to maybe learn with you along the way!
Michel - Airline nerd, aspiring polyglot and learner of German
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