How I became Fluent in GERMAN

We all learn differently. Becoming fluent in German was a long process for me. If you are just starting out on your language learning journey it can be really daunting and seem like you will never reach the level of others who seem to be so much further ahead than you. I'm here to tell you that if I can do it so can anyone. It took me a very long time to get comfortable with the language and I still to this day make a ton of mistakes but that’s all part of the fun.

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About me:

I am a Brit who lives Germany. After completing University in the UK I moved to China where I taught English for two years. I’ve learned a thing or two about cultural integration, language learning and everything else that goes with upping sticks and moving to a foreign country. I make videos about Germany, cultural differences and tend to pose a lot of questions. Join me on my exploration of life abroad.

#germanculture #germanlanguage #germany

[e.l.l.y.]

To all those learning German: it’s a tough language, even for some of us Germans - but never ever worry about using wrong Grammar or about your accent. In most cases, it just sounds cute in a way but never stupid. Remember, it is a second language, therefore try to make it fun by choosing topics you are interested in. You cannot learn a language without making mistakes, and using it in a conversation is the best way to practice. My respect goes out to all of you.

[michaelburggraf]

Wow! Dein Deutsch ist fantastisch!
Es ist so gut, dass du dir über deinen Akzent keine großen Sorgen mehr machen mußt.
Vor kurzem habe ich ein Video von einem Amerikaner (Zac) gesehen, in dem er sich über zusammengesetzte deutsche Verben lustig macht. Es macht recht deutlich, wie verwirrend unsere Sprache ist. Mir wurde dabei klar, dass der Einstieg in den Gebrauch unserer Sprache gerade durch solche Besonderheiten besonders schwer ist. Zumindest im Vergleich zu Englisch.
Um so beachtlicher finde ich es, wie sich dein Deutsch anhört. Tolle Leistung!

[anglogerman]

Have said this before: When you speak German, it's like listening to myself 😊 If you ever apply for citizenship, you will need a formal language qualification. I had to sit the B1 Test after 35 years of living here because I had never had any formal German lessons . I passed it with flying colours, as I'm sure you would too😊

[marriepowell]

Your German is so good: gentle, flowing, warm, with a very personal way of conveying things. I am impressed!

[PougueMahone]

I have a sign in my study it says ( you only fail if you quit) Has helped my German lessons.

[hidden]

Sehr geiles Video. Ich kenne es selbst aus eigener Erfahrung das ein gewisser Progress oft auch "schmerzhaft" sein kann. Allerdings ist die Belohnung am Ende wirklich toll. Auch die Geschichte das deine Vorgesetzte dich nicht sofort rausgeschmissen hat sondern mit dir das Gespräch gesucht hat, deutet darauf hin das sie in dir das potential gesehen hat, das du auch wirklich hast. Ich freue mich riesig für dich, das alles am Ende super geworden ist :)

[theodoroseidler]

For me, learning German was a life long endeavour. I started as a kid, went to the Goethe Institut, than leapt forward as I lived in Germany for 6 months during internship in Berlin, met and cultivated german friends in my country, tried speaking as often as possible, and with YouTube I added a ton of vocabulary. So, while I am now fluent, I see the challenge of learning german is far from over.

[martinstent]

About the accent thing: I had been in Germany for around 20 years when I went to a language specialist and asked if they could help me lose my accent. They said "Sie haben eine individuelle Prägung der Sprache und Sie sollten es beibehalten" (A personal stamp on the language which I should keep). I have since learned to view my accent not as my inability to speak perfect German, but as something positive, it my individual "interpretation" of the language which native speakers lack.

[AlanJG]

Thank you, I know of the frustration you speak of and it is refreshing to hear the story of someone else's frustration.
I moved to Germany nearly three years ago from England, in the summer.
I too did a BRUTAL intensive German language course, two months after I arrived, I passed the B1 exam, however I realised my German was still very poor despite having passed that exam.
There are so many different language learning platforms out there that offer a wide range of products, purporting to provide different learning styles. The trouble is, I have no idea what my learning style/method is, so I've bumbled along either at the desk doing online work, learning the vocabulary and speaking the language.
I've discovered it is a slow, slow step by step process, filled with frustration and yes my self confidence has taken a few beatings.
However, the moments of successful comprehension are glorious small victories to behold.
People sometimes say, "oh, German is a tough language to learn, with complicated grammar" but isn't any language?
German is my first genuine second language to learn. I did French in school, only because I was told I have to learn a European language and that was all that was on offer.
I take courage from those, like yourself, who've come before me and got to a level of fluency that they are happy with, and yes the learning doesn't end.

[Theodisc]

*"The language of a country leads into the heart and soul of its people."*
Touché, and very well said. Doesn't hurt to learn simple greetings, p's and q's and "do you speak English" in the language of the country you might be travelling in. You will likely get much more out of the folk you encounter if you make this simple effort and they will appreciate this too (we Anglos are internationally infamous for only speaking Anglo when we visit other lands). I have also noticed that when I learn Hindi words and use them with the South Asians I work with here in Aotearoa New Zealand they open up to me more and one can sense that they are loving it. 🙏🏽🧿💙

[shiptj]

I have not experienced this with the German language, but I have experienced this when I was learning Spanish. I always felt dumb and I didn't understand their humor and they thought that my humor was rude. Lol. No matter how good I got with the language, I knew deep down that I would never have the kind of relationship with the Spanish language that I have with my mother tongue. This is why I try to be patient with foreigners who are learning English.

[shelbynamels]

The problem with learning a language is that it reduces your communication abilities to that of a child, and as an adult, that can be a very humiliating experience and difficult to deal with. The best way to handle it is to accept that you are on the 'see Spot. See Spot run' level again and that are learning to run from a crawl stage again.
The sooner you come to terms with that fact, the better your progress will be. Your pride will be your biggest hindrance.

[geordiegeorge]

Having lived in Germany since being sent here by the army in Febuary 76, I still have my English accent. Right from the start I mixed with the locals to learn the language, I made mistakes they laughed and they helped.

[yusufturner]

I've recently discovered your videos and enjoy your take on things! I'm a 61 year old Brit born German Citizen that came to Germany aged 17 in 1980 as a young British soldier, 2024 and I'm still here resident in Ffm, which is a city I love, better than London where I grew up anyway, but Germany is definately an acquired taste, but although in pre-retirement, but still working I am happy enough and am glad that my kids were born, educated and raised here! Keep making the vids they are very interesting! 👍🏽💪🏼👏🏼😀

[Joba]

Respekt vor deinem hervorragenden Deutsch. Habe große Hemmungen, mit Muttersprachlern Englisch zu sprechen, während es mir mit anderen eher leicht fällt. Meine Befürchtung ist, mich entweder zu unbeholfen und linkisch auszudrücken, oder, wenn ich mich an Texte anlehne, die ich gelesen habe, zu hochgestochen (veraltet) oder sonstwie unpassend (geschäftsmäßig im Privaten).

[wallykaspars]

Great story! Your German is excellent, you handle long sentences very well.
I know those days of frustration with the language, but, years later, after achieving fluency, a very satisfying experience was to converse with Germans about various topics and to thoroughly read the Frankfurter Rundschau. I still remember one of my early milestones was when I correctly pronounced Köln.

[ksenss]

I did cry in my first weeks in france. And I knew a bit of french. On the other hand - there often was no other language to switch to as many - not all - people were unwilling or uncapable of speaking english, let alone german. Even in the university office looking after foreign students. Luckily there were always other foreign students about, some of which spoke fluently and could even write down telephone numbers correctly that were given in lightning fast french making me guess if it was 80 10 9 or 4 20 19 or maybe 99 or one of several other possible combinations when someone says: "quatre vingt dix neuf" followed by more numbers rapidly...

[CharlemagneProkopyshyn]

I can relate to this. I studied German at university in the UK but it was still a huge shock and massive upheaval to integrate into German culture despite having the language. Like you, I feel Germany has changed me. I call it my personal hell, a boot camp to becoming independent, but it was hell. And I did not enjoy my time in Germany, despite being there 15 years. I was stubborn enough to stick it out. The first month's were insanely hard and no one helped me. I was however, in Saxony at the time. I struggled so much. Getting work was so hard, they look at your cv like it is diseased. It's not a typical German "Werdegang" so they dislike it. Based on my name I rarely got interviews. It's not German. Sounds foreign. There is a God damn Ausbildung for every type of job. We don't have this in UK and you learn on the job but Germans want German qualifications they know. You cannot change careers easily in Germany and companies putting you on courses and training you is non existent.

[carolweideman]

I moved to France and I struggle with my French but I did pass the exams required to get my visa. I still struggle but after finding this video even if it is about German I know that I will be okay. You made me feel not so bad and confident that I will improve and that I know more than I realized Thank you.

[AnoNymInvestor]

Wonderful accent! Your German is really good! Please stay here!