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Aristus

(66,096 posts)
22. I agree. Immersion.
Thu Oct 18, 2018, 03:32 PM
Oct 2018

I learned German in school, but I picked it up a lot faster when I was stationed there in the Army.

The German people have a reputation (unfair, I think) of being cold, reserved, and standoffish. But when I was making an attempt to speak the language with them, they were very warm and helpful.

No matter how badly I was stumbling and fumbling through a German sentence, they would invariably say something like: "You speak German so well. Please continue." and offer helpful tips for improvement.

I've got a tip from my right wing mom.... Glamrock Oct 2018 #1
Lol Turin_C3PO Oct 2018 #4
It's crazy. Glamrock Oct 2018 #9
Best way snowybirdie Oct 2018 #2
I agree. I even went one further DFW Oct 2018 #19
I agree. Immersion. Aristus Oct 2018 #22
Immersion sans English is the fastest way... hlthe2b Oct 2018 #3
That idea Turin_C3PO Oct 2018 #5
You know you are making progress when you realize you dreamed in German... hlthe2b Oct 2018 #6
Ah yes. Turin_C3PO Oct 2018 #7
And you can read German papers from the 30s Corvo Bianco Oct 2018 #29
I use an online program called Duolingo everyday HeartachesNhangovers Oct 2018 #8
Duolingo! Turin_C3PO Oct 2018 #13
Memrise is another. bikebloke Oct 2018 #17
I'm Currently RobinA Oct 2018 #42
Unless you're a freak of nature... SKKY Oct 2018 #10
Yea, Turin_C3PO Oct 2018 #15
Pimsleur series forces you to speak it Maine-i-acs Oct 2018 #11
Thank you for the tip. Turin_C3PO Oct 2018 #12
Call the old folks' homes in your area... Dave Starsky Oct 2018 #14
Wow, great idea! Turin_C3PO Oct 2018 #16
Try this: If you have a Netflix account, The Velveteen Ocelot Oct 2018 #18
The cases are killing me. Turin_C3PO Oct 2018 #20
For correct gender, memorise gender as you learn noun--DER Mann, DAS Kind, DIE Frau bobbieinok Oct 2018 #23
For case, memorize simple sentence for each case for a sample noun, eg--- bobbieinok Oct 2018 #25
Aaurghh! Reminds me of college. The Velveteen Ocelot Oct 2018 #27
I wish you'd been able to give me this great advice when I studied German in high schoool 50 yrs ago fierywoman Oct 2018 #32
Consider verbs. And compare to English bobbieinok Oct 2018 #35
Beautiful! (I come from German parents) -- thanks! fierywoman Oct 2018 #39
The gender articles in German don't make any sense to me. 3catwoman3 Oct 2018 #40
The reasons are probably lost in history. There is no obvious reason for any of it The Velveteen Ocelot Oct 2018 #41
Der, die, das... 3catwoman3 Oct 2018 #43
Donna Leon's Venetian murder mysteries were done by German tv. I got them fierywoman Oct 2018 #33
There are some excellent youtube videos for kids to learn German! bobbieinok Oct 2018 #21
Ocelot's suggestion is best if you are somewhat immobile. DFW Oct 2018 #24
Thanks for the film and tv suggestions! Turin_C3PO Oct 2018 #44
These are films and TV series that captured the whole nation here in Germany DFW Oct 2018 #48
Go hang out with DU'er DFW. Get lots of opportunity to practice! ret5hd Oct 2018 #26
I guess Rosetta Stone is a thing of the past underpants Oct 2018 #28
Speak it with people who speak it. Iggo Oct 2018 #30
My experience. I was in casual conversation with three scientists. A Norwegian, NCjack Oct 2018 #31
On the other hand, I have also been told that if you are visiting one of those countries The Velveteen Ocelot Oct 2018 #37
Children's books California_Republic Oct 2018 #34
Larger metropolitan areas have language clubs Buzz cook Oct 2018 #36
Right here..... Hotler Oct 2018 #38
Thanks everyone for the replies! Turin_C3PO Oct 2018 #45
These Are All Great Tips Leith Oct 2018 #46
Listen TuxedoKat Oct 2018 #47
Latest Discussions»The DU Lounge»Does anyone have any tips...»Reply #22