How I Learned German in 1 Year (100% Honest)

Summary

In this informative video, Dishant Gupta shares his personal journey and strategies for learning German while living in Bremen, Germany. He emphasizes the importance of structuring language learning, building a strong vocabulary, and using various resources like YouTube videos, podcasts, and language learning apps. Dishant also discusses the benefits of personal coaching and the app Hello Talk for improving conversational skills. His advice on surrounding oneself with the German language and maintaining consistency despite life's challenges provides a motivational narrative for language learners.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker emphasizes the importance of learning German for effective socialization and job prospects in Germany.
• 🏫 The speaker studied at Hochschule Bremen and took advice from seniors and mentors about the necessity of German language proficiency.
• 📝 The speaker suggests structuring the language learning process and maintaining consistency in learning to avoid losing interest.
• 📈 Starting with a daily target of learning 5-10 new German words, including nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, and articles, is recommended.
• 📚 Learning the correct articles for nouns in German is crucial and often overlooked by beginners.
• 🎓 The speaker mentions using YouTube videos, podcasts, and online coaching for improving listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in German.
• 📱 Apps like Hello Talk are recommended for interactive language learning and practicing speaking with native speakers.
• 📺 Watching German videos and series, even if initially difficult, helps improve listening and comprehension skills over time.
• 📖 Reading books and creating sentences with new vocabulary are effective ways to enhance writing skills.
• 🌐 Surrounding oneself with the German language by changing device languages and engaging in German media is encouraged for immersion.
• 💪 Staying focused, consistent, and not giving up, even in the face of personal challenges, is key to successful language acquisition.

Q & A

Why is learning German important for the speaker when living in Germany?

Learning German is important for the speaker because it is essential for socializing, making friends, and finding jobs. Without German, one might feel isolated and struggle to interact with others, even though English is spoken, German is mandatory for better integration and opportunities.

What city in Germany does the speaker live in and what institution is he studying at?

The speaker lives in the city of Bremen and is studying at Hochschule Bremen.

What advice did the speaker receive from seniors and mentors before moving to Germany?

The speaker was advised that learning German is very important in Germany, as it would otherwise be difficult to socialize, make friends, and find jobs.

What was the speaker's initial approach to learning German?

The speaker started with a lot of interest and excitement but found that without a structured approach, the interest would wane, and progress would stall.

What is the first method the speaker suggests for learning German effectively?

The first method the speaker suggests is to structure the language learning process, which includes setting daily targets for learning new words and understanding their usage with correct articles.

What role did YouTube play in the speaker's language learning journey?

YouTube played a significant role as the speaker used it to watch videos of varying levels to improve his German language skills, starting with word learning and moving on to more complex structures.

What language learning apps does the speaker mention in the script?

The speaker mentions Hello Talk as a very useful app for language learning, which allows users to interact with native speakers and improve their skills through conversation.

What does the speaker suggest about the use of language learning apps like Duolingo?

The speaker suggests that Duolingo might be suitable for complete beginners who have no prior knowledge of German, but for those with some knowledge or a break in their learning, more advanced or personalized methods might be necessary.

What is the speaker's opinion on personal classes for learning German?

The speaker believes that personal classes can be beneficial, especially for slow learners or those who need individual attention and the flexibility to make up for missed classes.

How does the speaker suggest improving German speaking skills?

The speaker suggests using language learning apps that create a community for practice, watching German videos, and surrounding oneself with the language as much as possible to improve speaking skills.

What is the speaker's advice on maintaining consistency in language learning?

The speaker advises staying focused, consistent, and constant in language learning. He emphasizes the importance of not giving up, even in the face of personal challenges or setbacks.

What resources does the speaker recommend for improving German reading skills?

The speaker recommends changing the language of all gadgets to German, noting down unknown words, and looking up their meanings. He also suggests reading books like 'Short Stories for German Learning' and using online resources for further practice.

How does the speaker describe his experience with personal tutors and their impact on his learning?

The speaker describes his experience with personal tutors as very beneficial for better understanding and personalized attention. However, he also emphasizes the importance of self-study and not becoming overly dependent on tutors.

What is the significance of the speaker's mention of a breakup in the script?

The speaker uses the experience of a breakup to illustrate the importance of resilience and focusing on personal growth and learning, even during difficult times.

What additional resources does the speaker mention for practicing German?

The speaker mentions using the app Meetup to find language learning meetings and interact with Germans and other learners from different countries.