Learn Fluent German

Learn Fluent German - Taking the First Step

For the average Anglophone, learning fluent German could be quite the long and arduous journey to begin. But as the saying goes, "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step". Learning to speak fluent German, like any language, has its challenges such as learning a new vocabulary, pronunciation, and grammar. But let's not forget, there are interesting things you will learn and experience such as the German culture and history.

Learning fluent German is possible for an adult because like children, adults can still adjust to the changes needed to learn German. Even though the learning process of a child's ability to become proficient in a foreign language is faster than an adult, the capability is there. Hence your ability to learn fluent German entirely depends on how interested and determined you are in achieving your goal.

You can take the first step achieve your goal to learn fluent German with an excellent online course: Rocket German.

Learn Fluent German

Learn Fluent German

Learn Fluent German - Pay Attention to Details

As you learn fluent German you should strive for precision when communicating in German. Why? Because the German language is structured this way and if you omit this precision or details when speaking German, then an important part of your communication will be missing. This is especially important when using German verbs. Take care to choose the right verb for the right situation.

In English we just go places whereas in German you have to state HOW you are going to get to a place and use the appropriate verb for the appropriate situation. See the following examples:

I'm going to the bus stop.
Ich gehe zur Bushaltestelle. (gehen = to walk)

I'm going to Düsseldorf.
Ich fahre nach Düsseldorf. (fahren = to drive or ride in a vehicle)

I'm going to Greece.
Ich reise nach Griechenland. (reisen = to travel some distance for a period of time)

I'm going to Brazil.
Ich fliege nach Brasilien. (fliegen = to fly on an airplane)

Notice that using the right verb describes precisely HOW you are going to get to a particular place. Never assume that you can use the verb gehen in German as the same way you would use go in English. Because if you say "ich gehe nach Berlin" and you are over 500 km away in Munich then your German friend will think that you are walking 500 km to Berlin (and of course he/she will have a good laugh). Remembering to stay precise when you are expressing yourself in German will help you to learn fluent German and not get quizzical looks or smirks from your German friends.

Learn Fluent German

Learn Fluent German

Learn Fluent German - How to PUT up with German

It's fascinating how the words that make up a language can define your reality. Let's take verbs as an example. In English the verb put can refer to a object, person or thing no matter its place or position in space.

In German to put an object, person or thing is relative to its position and place in space. The German language has a more exacting and informative way of describing reality. Thus, there are variations of the verb put used to describe the position of the object, person or thing in space:

legen (to lay something horizontally on a surface),

setzen (to set or sit something on a surface),

stehen (to stand something vertically on a surface) and

stecken (to stick something into a container)

Here are some Examples:

I put the baby in the crib.
Ich lege das Baby auf das Kinderbett.

I put the pillow on the sofa.
Ich setze das Kissen auf das Sofa.

I put the sports trophy on the shelf.
Ich stehe das Siegeszeichen auf das Regalbrett.

I put the turkey into the oven.
Ich stecke den Truthan in den Ofen.

This can seem to make learning fluent German an unfeasible task. But when you stop to think about it, English has the same precision to indicate "putting" things such as when we "lay", "stand", "stick", or "set" something on or in a surface. But we usually opt for the all purpose and more vague word "put".

Learn Fluent German