Whether it's for an upcoming exam or because you've moved to a German-speaking country, there are always certain methods you think will help you. But that's not always the case - there are many common mistakes we make when learning German. Mistakes that make it even harder for us to remember everything!
As a German school with a carefully designed curriculum, we know that the best way to learn a language is simply to use it. Regular practice in listening, reading, writing, and especially speaking is the best way to get used to your strengths. This will also help you find out in which areas you need to improve.
For example, there will always be times when you can't remember a certain word. After a while, you will have recognized this and know that you need to work on this area at home so that you can improve the next time.
Speaking is the most important aspect of being fluent in a new language. This is because you don't have time to prepare your dialect or check the spelling and structure of certain words and phrases. By speaking as often as you can, you get used to intonation and new sounds that don't exist in your native language. So, by speaking with native German speakers, you can not only impress, but also avoid difficult situations where the simplest words can seem so complicated.
The most common mistakes made when learning a language:
1. Learning a language is not just about memorizing as many vocabulary words as possible.
When you learn German, you're going to learn a lot of new words, and you're going to want to know what they mean. But don't worry - they will open up on their own!
Of course, learning vocabulary is an essential part of learning, but you also need to know where to put each word in the sentence and in what context to use it.
For example, the verb "to leave" in English can mean two things:
Meaning 1 - Bevor ich das Haus verlasse, vergewissere ich mich immer, dass die Fenster geschlossen sind. Before I leave the house, I always make sure the windows are closed.
Meaning 2 - Ich muss meinen Sohn immer bitten, die Fenster nicht offen zu lassen, wenn er nicht im Haus ist. I always have to ask my son not to leave the windows open when he is not in the house.
Reading a vocabulary list and seeing the verb and its meaning is not all there is to learning, so be careful not to cram too much vocabulary!
2. Don't just focus on one skill!
As mentioned earlier, the best way to learn German is to practice it. To make sure you understand each skill well, you need to divide your attention between the 4 main skills. These are listening, reading, writing and speaking.
You can tell if someone has learned a new language by hearing them speak. But it is also very useful to have good reading and writing skills. This will help you understand which letters make which sounds when you put them together.
One of the most common mistakes in learning a language is forgetting to listen. You can read as much material in a foreign language as possible, but nothing will improve your understanding more than listening to the news or music in a foreign language, for example. Did you know that you can learn German conversation by listening to real conversations? And it's interesting and a lot of fun!
3. Don't set a goal or a deadline for learning German.
Learning a new language can be an exciting prospect, but remember that it is an ongoing process that never really ends. There are many people who study languages at university, move abroad to work and raise a family, and become completely fluent in the language. Yet they learn something new every day, whether it's a new phrase, a new word, or a new sentence structure.
4. Remember that you need to find a method that works for you, because you need to invest your own time in learning German!
A language course is always a good way to start learning and find out how to learn a new language, but that doesn't mean that's all you can do to learn German. To get enough exposure to the language, you'll need to use some of your free time to watch TV shows or movies, listen to podcasts or news, or find a language partner to practice with once or twice a week.
Small challenges like these will keep you focused on German.
5. Reading classic literature will not prepare you for communicating in your second language country.
Even in school, most students learn about classical literature. This is obviously to deepen their knowledge and understanding of the language. If you are learning a second language, such as German, it is better to keep up with current events or the latest blogs in German. This way, you can be sure that the language you are learning is modern and will be understood by the people you are speaking to when you are in the country of your choice. This is often one of the biggest mistakes you can make when learning a language, as you move to the country with an impressive vocabulary, much of which may be outdated.
At a glance:
Learning a language like German can really be an exciting experience if you do it right. These days, you have access to so many great materials. Even the slightest exposure to something as small as the news or a podcast can improve your basic skills tremendously. It's easy to think that you learn a language by living in a country for a long time, but that's not always the case. To fully understand what you are saying and hearing, you need to focus on all aspects equally and invest some of your time in the process.
Find out more about our language courses in our language school in Dublin. Here is more information!
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