Stop translating everything! Here’s how you can start thinking directly in German!

Summary

In this video, German teacher Laura discusses how learners can improve their language skills by avoiding translating in their heads. She explains that thinking directly in German enhances fluency, speed, and natural sentence formation. Laura offers practical tips, such as inner speech training, self-talk, and linking words to images rather than translations. She also emphasizes immersion methods like reading, listening, and speaking in German. The video encourages learners to embrace mistakes, focus on communication, and practice consistently, as language learning is a marathon, not a sprint.

Takeaways

• 😀 Directly thinking in German helps improve fluency and reduce reliance on translation, speeding up language learning.
• 😀 Translating in your head is inefficient and can make you slower and more insecure in conversations.
• 😀 Thinking in the target language, like German, helps you internalize the language's structure, word choices, and idioms.
• 😀 Inner speech training—thinking in German for daily tasks—helps your brain get accustomed to forming thoughts directly in German.
• 😀 Associating German words with images or concepts (rather than your native language) enhances understanding and retention.
• 😀 Self-talk and thinking aloud in German during daily activities help train your brain to think more fluently in the language.
• 😀 Writing a diary in German encourages thinking in the target language and forces you to form coherent thoughts in German.
• 😀 Listening to media in German without focusing on understanding every word allows you to absorb the rhythm and structure of the language.
• 😀 Using voice messages to organize your thoughts in German provides practice in real-time language use and tracking progress.
• 😀 Learning common phrases and expressions (chunks) as fixed units helps improve fluency and makes your German more natural.

Q & A

Why is translating in your head a problem when learning a language?

Translating in your head creates a back-and-forth process where you first translate from the target language into your native language and then back to the target language. This slows down your responses and can make you feel insecure, as you're thinking in two languages simultaneously, which can hinder fluency.

What are the benefits of thinking directly in German instead of translating?

Thinking directly in German helps the brain stay focused, reduces the need for translation, and speeds up responses. It also makes it easier to form more authentic and natural sentences by helping learners understand the structure, word choice, and idiomatic expressions of the language.

How does thinking in your native language affect your grammar when speaking German?

When you rely on thinking in your native language, you might make grammatical errors because the structure and word order in German may be different. For example, sentences that are correct in English or Spanish might not work in German, as the sentence structure and grammar rules differ.

What is the first step to start thinking directly in German?

The first step is to start using German for simple, everyday thoughts. For example, you can think to yourself in German about activities you do daily, like going to the kitchen or making coffee. The goal is to make these thoughts automatic so your brain gets used to thinking in German.

What is inner speech training, and how does it help with learning German?

Inner speech training involves formulating your thoughts in German, even when you're silent. By consciously practicing this, you train your brain to think more quickly and intuitively in the target language, helping you improve fluency.

How can connecting words with images or concepts help when learning German?

Connecting words directly with images or concepts, rather than translating them into your native language, helps you think more quickly in German. For instance, when thinking about an apple, visualize the apple itself—its color, shape, and taste—rather than translating the word into your native language. This approach makes language learning more intuitive.

Why is self-talk useful for becoming fluent in German?

Self-talk allows you to practice thinking in German without the pressure of being corrected by others. It enables you to try out sentences, describe what you're doing, or narrate your day, helping you form coherent thoughts in German and build fluency over time.

What role does keeping a diary in German play in language learning?

Keeping a diary in German helps you express your thoughts in a structured way without relying on translation. Writing about your day, feelings, or plans in German trains your brain to form more complex sentences in the target language and improves overall writing skills.

What is the importance of media consumption when learning German?

Media consumption, such as watching German series or listening to podcasts, helps immerse you in the language. It's important to not focus on understanding every word but to absorb the rhythm, melody, and sentence structures of the language, which improves your ability to think in German naturally.

What is shadow speaking, and how does it help with fluency in German?

Shadow speaking is a technique where you listen to a sentence in German and immediately repeat it out loud, mimicking the rhythm and intonation. This practice helps you improve pronunciation, sentence flow, and trains your brain to respond directly in German without needing to translate.