Learning German

German Language Basics

Facts on the German language

German grammar, the German alphabet, German words, German pronunciation– learning German is not as difficult as many people think. And you are not alone: 15.4 million people around the world are learning German as a foreign language while for 100 million people German is their mother tongue. That makes German the most spoken native language in Europe. The German language can describe things for which no words exist in other languages, it has a unique letter, reliable rules and three genders. Check these links for many other interesting and amusing facts about the German language

Was sie schon immer über die deutsche Sprache wissen wollten.

Is the German language…?

Wörter wandern in Länder und andere Sprachen.

When words wander

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Quick facts

100 million people Speak German as their mother tongue. It is the mother tongue most spoken in Europe.

15.4 million people are learning German as a foreign language world-wide.

2,000 schools the world over are members of the PASCH school network, which is familiarizing students with the German language and culture.

600,000 school students around the world are learning German at a PASCH school.

120 countries are represented in the PASCH network.

"Sprach-Checker" Imran in einem Vorbereitungsprojekt für das "Forum Deutsche Sprache". Das Thema: Mehrsprachigkeit bei Kindern.

Deutsche Sprache Sprache als Kulturgut Museum und Labor: Das Forum Deutsche Sprache

Deutsch unterliegt einem ständigen Wandel.

Deutsche Sprache Tag der deutschen Sprache Sprache verbindet und öffnet Türen

Quickfacts about the German Language

Learning the German language can sometimes be a challenge! To make it more fun, we have gathered 7 funfacts about the German language.

The curious German language

Learn German through fun facts: once you know these quirks, you're sure to find the language easier right away.

Alles, was Ihr über die deutsche Sprache wissen müsst.

German language

Facts and Figures

How German works

Are you interested in language? Here you can find interesting answers to your questions about the German language.

Quiz

What do you know about the German language?

How many people in the world speak German as their mother tongue or second language?

In which country is German not one of the official languages?

Which letters occur most frequently in German?

Which of the following languages is not a Germanic language, like German itself?

In which country is a Creole language spoken that is based on German?

Fun facts about the German language

Everything you need to know about the German language.

By the way, do you know why it’s possible to form such amazingly long words in German?

Find out more

Ein Gebäck mit vielen Namen: Kreppl, Berliner, Krapfen.

“Say it regionally!”

German around the world

What do you want to learn more about?

Courses

We recommend this link.

The Goethe-Institut lists reasons for learning German.

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We have found a useful link for you.

The Goethe-Institut offers numerous German courses.

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We have found a useful link for you.

A Goethe-Institut test will help you determine your proficiency level.

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We recommend this link.

The Goethe-Institut also offers online courses.

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We have found a useful link for you.

We have put together information about other learning opportunities here.

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Exams

We have found a useful link for you.

The Goethe-Institut can tell you about the exams.

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We recommend this link.

The Goethe-Institut explains how to prepare for an exam.

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We recommend this link.

A Goethe-Institut test will help you determine your proficiency level.

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Teaching German

We recommend this link.

The Goethe-Institut lists ten good reasons to teach German.

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We have found a useful link for you.

The Goethe-Institut can provide you with information about teacher training programmes.

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We recommend this link.

The Goethe-Institut has information about teaching concepts and material.

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German schools

We recommend this link.

The Central Agency for German Schools Abroad (ZfA) offers an overview.

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We have found a useful link for you.

The Central Agency for German Schools Abroad (ZfA) has information about school qualifications.

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We recommend this link.

The Central Agency for German Schools Abroad (ZfA) provides information about applications.

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We recommend this link.

The PASCH initiative has information about the schools and what they offer.

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Learning tips

How to learn German?

Learning German can be fun and varied. You can make progress while listening to music, watching TV series or chatting to people on the underground. We present method you can use to learn German vocabulary really easily and memorise German grammar.

German language

Learning German

How to learn German at home

Five tips on how to learn German effectively and free of charge – anywhere in the world, without attending a course.

Andy Giménez hat mit Sprachtandems ihr Deutsch verbessert.

German language

Speaking fluent German

Learning German in conversation with native speakers: YouTuber AndyGM has told us about her language tandems.

Katja von „Deutsch für Euch“ gibt Tipps zum Deutschlernen.

Tips and tricks for learning German

There are tips and tricks for learning German. We asked Katja from “Deutsch für Euch” to tell us a few of them.

Ida Kahlo unterrichtet Deutsch als Fremdsprache

Tips about German, especially for you

In these videos German teacher Ida Kahlo answers your questions about learning German and has a lot of tips for you.

Facts about Germany

In an up-to-date, trustworthy and concise format, this handbook includes facts, figures and illustrations, to give readers a detailed introduction and insights into all aspects of life in modern Germany.

Facts about Germany

Unterwegs Deutsch lernen: „Die Straßenbahn ist gelb.“

Learning German with all your senses

Let’s get out of the classroom! This method will help you remember German vocabulary and the articles better.

In German, a young lady has no sex, while a turnip has.

Mark Twain

Learn German online

Apps, videos, learning games

Monotonously learning vocabulary by heart is a thing of the past. We show you how you can learn German online – with the help of apps, learning games, YouTube videos and online seminars. Carry your classroom in your pocket or handbag.

In Darmstadt: Deutschlehrer Maximilian Liesegang

Learning German? Have fun!

Maximilian Liesegang runs the web channel “Learn German with Max”. His aim: Having fun learning the new language.

Auch aus der Ferne lässt sich gut Deutsch lernen.

In the classroom or online

Arbeiten, studieren - kennenlernen: Die wichtigsten Vokabeln.

Learn German with us

Eight Free Apps to Teach You German

With these eight apps you can take the language classroom with you and practice anywhere. And every single one is free.

Learning German with YouTube

Are you finding German difficult to learn? These five YouTube channels can help you.

Lernabenteuer Deutsch – ein Rätselhafter Auftrag

Learn German by game

Learning vocabulary off by heart is so yesterday. Why language learning games are the best way to learn German and which apps we really recommend.

Learning German free of charge

Here you can find online courses, videos, apps and tandem partners for the German language.

Reports on personal experiences

Learning German can change your life

Learning German unites people and can even change your life. Having a good knowledge of German opens up great opportunities for young people worldwide both for studies and jobs. Click here to read some fascinating success stories.

Explained: German Sign Language

It has little to do with German, but it’s faster - and has its own terms: an overview of German Sign Language.

The art of conference interpreting

Jaqueline Klemke has been translating simultaneously for 20 years. Find out here what else she must be able to do besides multitasking.

Expertin für Mehrsprachigkeit: Sprachwissenschaftlerin Rinker

"A multilingual society"

In Germany, many children grow up multilingual. The linguist Tanja Rinker explains what parents should pay attention to.

Jan Keck ist Deutscher und lebt in Kanada.

“I’m funnier in English”

Dreaming in German, joking in English? We spoke to people about how the relation to their mother tongues changes abroad.

Schriftsteller Wladimir Kaminer lebt in Berlin.

“My special mother tongue”

Learning German and building a successful career

The Eight Stages of Learning German

When trying to learn German, many foreigners will follow a distinct pattern of eight language learning steps. Only once we've completed all eight, can we really call ourselves integrated.

For German teachers

Tips and inspiration for teaching material

You teach German as a foreign language? Up-to-date and varied teaching material is re important to ensure your lessons are exciting and your students enjoy learning. You will find some inspiration and material for your lessons here.

Weltweit lernen 15,4 Millionen Menschen Deutsch.

Livening up your German teaching

Do you teach German as a foreign language? Here you will find some materials and inspiration for your lessons.

Maps of Germany

Facts, funny things, interesting information about Germany and from Germany.

More help with German

Contacts

Help with learning German

Learning German is always an advantage if you want to live and/or work in Germany. That way you get to know people more quickly, cope better in everyday life and have excellent career opportunities. But perhaps you just enjoy learning foreign languages and are looking for a new challenge. Whatever your reasons for learning we provide you with information on people and places who can help you learn German.