Practicing German doesn’t end when you leave your private German lessons for working adults. This is when it’s time for you to use and expand your language skills outside lessons.
There are plenty of ways you can do this. Consider joining a group that shares your interests, going to a movie or live performance, walking around town while recording what you see, and asking shopkeepers questions.
The Learning Benefits of Moving Around
Today’s educators incorporate movement into their lesson plans to increase focus and motivation among their students. You can do the same for yourself.
The benefits of this approach are backed by research that shows how movement improves concentration, relieves stress, and increases retention. You can incorporate movement into your learning to reinforce what you’ve already learned and to expose yourself to new situations that stretch your language skills.
Real-World Experiences Enhance Learning
Authentic experiences help you become more fluent in German without the pressure of tests and vocabulary drills.
When you venture out to practice your German, don’t worry about making mistakes or forgetting some of the German grammar tips for adults. Locals will be able to tell that you are trying to learn the language and appreciate the effort you’re making.
Here are a few ideas to try:
Experience Art
Watch a movie, attend a play, or enjoy a concert. Listening to German in the form of dialogue in a film or play or as lyrics to a song is a great way to elevate your comprehension. If a movie has English subtitles, this can help you connect the words you hear with the vocabulary you’re learning.
Join a Community
Find a group or event related to your interests. A German cooking lesson can help you master ingredient names, food measurement, cooking verbs, and following directions in another language. If you like cycling, find a group that rides at your pace and make friends.
Once you start to build a German-speaking community, you’ll be invited to informal get-togethers, dinner at restaurants, hikes, and other activities that offer opportunities to expand your vocabulary and learn how to converse on new topics.
Take a Walk
When you’re walking around town, describe what you see on your phone or a recorder. Talk about the people, stores, colors, activities, and anything else that makes an impression on you. If you stumble over a word, say it in English.
When you get back home, listen to your recording and take note of what you did well and areas you want to improve. Look up the words you didn’t know.
Talk With Store Employees
When you go shopping, ask people working there questions about the items in the store. Maybe you want to know if the shoes run small or large or how much it will cost to have a presentation copied. Ask them for directions to your next destination.
Learn Around the House
Label furniture, rooms, and objects in your home with sticky notes displaying the German name and pronunciation. Describe yourself sitting on the living room couch or setting the table for dinner.
Relax With German
Read a book or newspaper written in German. Keep a journal of what you’re doing each day in German. Watch a German YouTube video or a television program with English subtitles.
Spend a few minutes each day playing with a language learning app. These can be silly at times, but there’s nothing wrong with laughing while learning.
One-on-One Language Lessons to Boost Your Confidence
German Academy Zurich offers one-on-one lessons with skilled teachers who will help you build your language skills so you feel more confident practicing with native German speakers in your community or workplace. Contact us today to level up your German skills!
