Learning German Tips
Read these 54 Learning German Tips tips to make your life smarter, better, faster and wiser. Each tip is approved by our Editors and created by expert writers so great we call them Gurus. LifeTips is the place to go when you need to know about German tips and hundreds of other topics.
Need help doing homework?
Here is a great site concerned with homework: Hausarbeiten.de
http://www.hausarbeiten.de/
A great way to read up-to-date German on a variety of topics.
Plattdeutsch
Plattdeutsch is a regional variety of German spoken in northern Germany, especially at the costal region next to the Netherlands. It is related to Dutch and English. It is very hard to understand, even for a German. It is not taught at school.
German scrabble
Playing scrabble is a great way to brush up your German, it is fun, and now you can even do it for free on your computer. The German Scrabble Site offers two free online word games: Hornets and Net Hangman. In German. Requires Shockwave.
http://www.mattelscrabble.com/de/games/index.html
German Spellchecker for Winword
Type the names of the missing drivers (mssp232.dll and mssp3GE.dll) into a search engine. You will find that many people have this problem, i.e. you'll find these names cropping up in newsgroups and such. Chances are that you will also find a site where you can download these drivers. Download them into: ...\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Proof\. This is step no. 1. Step no. 2 is getting the driver mssp2_ge.lex. Grab it here: http://willow.cats.ohiou.edu/~lrc/germanware/proofing/.
Download it into the same folder (..Microsoft/Shared/Proof). Now, Word 2000 will be able to spellcheck German documents.
Translations
I will help you with your German letter writing & translations for a small fee. Inquire for details at: tom.packlick@worldnet.att.net. Here's my bio:
Dorothea F. Packlick. Birthday: 11. August 1963, Berlin, Germany. BA (German MA) in English Literature & Linguistics, Economics & Journalism. 1979-1992: German, French & English coach for pupils aged 6 - 18. 1980-1995: freelance work, translations of English-German texts (e.g. movie scripts, contracts, literature, book reviews) & work for German TV with the Berliner Spiele Filmproduktion. 1987-1993: English & German teacher for independent educational institute (Berliner Nachhilfezirkel E. V.), 1994-1998 Assistant of the Vice President of the Max-Planck-Society, Max-Planck-Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin. Moved to the US in 1998, currently not employed (thank God!). Interests: Literature, computers, music, internet, traveling, cats.
IIK Duesseldorf
Learning German or getting a stipend with the IIK Duesseldorf
Contact:
Institut fuer Internationale Kommunikation in Zusammenarbeit
mit der Heinrich-Heine-Universitaet Duesseldorf (IIK e.V.)
Universitaetsstrasse 1, D - 40225 Duesseldorf
Tel +49/(0)211/81-15182, Fax -12537
mailto:iik@phil-fak.uni-duesseldorf.de
http://www.iik-duesseldorf.de
* Informationen about IIK Duesseldorf
mailto:kurzinfo@iik-duesseldorf.de?subject=IIK-Kurzinfo-edaf12
kurzinfo@iik-duesseldorf.de
* IIK stipends
mailto:stipendien@iik-duesseldorf.de?subject=Stipendien-edaf12
stipendien@iik-duesseldorf.de
Berlitz Language Schools
You will find Berltz language schools in most bigger German cities. They offer classes for both small groups and individuals. The teachers are always native speakers. It is possible to have your classes tailored to your interests and needs (i.e. Business German, refresher courses, compact courses). The classes are well-structured and very useful.
German information for students
Go to
http://directcoupons.com/school.html
and find links to German texts, historical information and literature all over the web. In English.
The personal pronoun "sie"
Watch out for "Sie - sie - sie" (you, she, they). The same word has different meanings. "Sie" with a capital S means 'you' in the formal address, "sie" can either be "she" or "they". You can usually determine by the size of the s and by the following verb (singular or plural)what is meant. Since each German sentence starts with a capital, however, you may just have to conclude from the sense of the sentence alone what it is.
Examples:
1 Essen Sie Kaese? (Do you (formal) eat cheese?)
2 Am Abend singt sie. (She sings in the evening)
3 Am Abend singen sie. They sing in the evening)
4 Sie singt. (She sings)
5 Sie singen. (They sing)
The neutral article 'das'
The word 'das' has several meanings, so you will encounter it often. It can mean either "the", "this", "that" and sometimes "it".
Examples: das Maedchen (the girl), (this girl), (that girl) - depending on the context of the sentence.
Westler, Wessis
Term used for a person born in the western part of the Federal Republic of Germany. Slightly less offensive than "Ossi". Still, the term is best avoided, particularly if used by a tourist.
The Stammtisch in Seguin, TX
Good news for people living in Guadalupe County, TX. There is a weekly discussion group for anything related to Germany. Best of all, it is free. Also, your German does not need to be perfect to attend. Discussions are held every Monday from 12:30 a.m. to 1:30 pm. at the Silver Center, 510 East Court St., Seguin, TX 78155, phone: (830) 372 98 57.
The German Internet Project
The German Internet Project is a US-based portal with a variety of tips and links dealing with German language and culture (in German and English). Highly recommended.
http://www.uncg.edu/~lixlpurc/GIP/index.html
Free copy of Das Fenster Magazine
Get your free copy of the American-German mag "Das Fenster" at www.dasfenster.com. The mag is highly informative, as it deals with a variety of topics related to Germany & Germans living in the US. There is also a decent ad section and cultural stuff, such as short stories and poems. Check this out!
Look up German words and phrases
You can look up German words and phrases at your.dictionary.com. They also have an extensive index of other online dictionaries. The index is searchable.
Ostler, Ossis
"Ostler" or "Ossi" is an unflattering term for a person who was born in the former German Democratic Republic (GDR). Use of this term should be avoided, as people are quite sensitive about this issue. On the other hand, it is quite common for former East Germans to use the term themselves with their peers.
ein Rad ab
"Der hat ja ein Rad ab" means that the person in question is daft (stupid). The phrase is similar to the loose screw, only here the allegory is a missing wheel.
The German sound "CH"
Master the German "ch". It is important and has no equivalent in English. It is an aspirated, guttural and prolonged "k" (but it is NOT the same sound!). It sounds like someone wants to clear his throat a bit, like "krrrrr". Examples: ach, Achtung, echt, endlich. Remember: it is not a "k".
German radio in Florida
WTIS 1110 AM broadcasts a German radio program, die Deutsche Funksendung. The station is available in Brooksville, Venice and Orlando. The programs deal with German news, features, culture and music. They are broadcasted on Saturdays, 1 - 3 p.m. and Sundays, 1 - 2 p.m. Info: (813) 254 5088
The Goethe Institute
The Goethe Institute aims at spreading information about the German language and culture all over the world. They have offices in most big cities and often show German language films. You can attend German classes for a fee or use their library for free. Their webpages are available in German and English. You will find a list of their branches worldwide, details about German classes, news on arts and culture, learning and teaching German, their libraries and, finally, interesting links with German topics. Check out the Goethe Institute at:
http://www.Goethe.de
A.L.I.C.E speaks German
A.L.I.C.E is an electronic brain, i.e. an artificial linguistic internet computer entity. Although she is based in the US, she can speak German well enough. I was totally impressed. She also gives you links and tips. You can chat with ALICE here:
Http://www.alicebot.org
Do it. It is a lot of fun. She can also speak a mixture of German and English. I wish I had ALICE at home :-)
Newsreport "Tagesthemen"
The Deutsche Telekom phone company offers a daily German newsreport for a small fee when you dial + (49) 01165.
Learning German in Berlin
The Berlin Goethe Institute offers summer courses for young people. Choose between 4 or 8 weeks. It is also possible to attend a Berlin workshop (5 days) or have a work experience arranged. For more information contact: Goethe-Institut Berlin, Friedrichstr. 209, D - 10969 Berlin, phone: + 4930 - 259 063, e-mail: berlin@goethe.de
Donna's Favorite Sausage Expressions
'Donna's Favorite Sausage Expressions in German and English' is a great site dedicated to the various usages of the German "Wurst".
http://www.geocities.com/TelevisionCity/9912/wurst.html
German for businesses
Interested in acquiring "Business German"? Go here:
http://www.wirtschaftsdeutsch.de/infodienst/
German for travelers
Interested in getting together a basic vocabulary for your trip to Germany? Go to travlang.com. The site is searchable and will also help you with German pronounciation and grammar.
Place an ad in Das Fenster magazine
Want to find a German pen pal or someone to share your hobbies? An ad in Das Fenster costs only $ 20. Go to www.dasfenster.com for more details.
Get yourself a pen-pal
Learning German on your own is tedious and difficult, because you do not get any feedback. Check out the websites of popular German magazines, such as "Tip", "Zitty", or "Zweite Hand". Most have ads, and you might find yourself a pen-pal. Or try placing an ad yourself.
How to type German Umlauts
On a Windows PC, hold down the Alt key and type the following numbers from the numerical keypad (with Num Lock on).
ä = Alt 132 Ä = Alt 142 ö = Alt 148
Ö = Alt 153 ü = Alt 129 Ü = Alt 154
ß = Alt 225
On any Macintosh, press the Option-key, the letter 'u' and then the vowel you want as an Umlaut.
For example, to get an ä, press Option-u a. The same goes for ü and ö.
To umlaut a capital letter, follow the same steps and press Shift-letter.
For example, to get an Ö , press Option-u O.
To get an ß, press option-s.
Alternatively, hold down the MAC key while typing these numbers:
Ä = 128 / ä = 138 / Ö = 133 / ö = 154 / Ü = 134 / ü = 159 / ß = 167
Free "Apothekenmagazin"
If you happen to travel in Germany and want to polish your German a bit, pick up a copy of the
"Apothekenmagazin". It is available in all major pharmacies, full of illustrations and descriptions of current health issues, and it is free. The pharmacies ("Apotheken") also publish free mags about nutrition and senior citizens' health concerns, and one for kids with posters, cartoons and calendars. Best of all: the information provided is up-to-date and helpfull.
Make them speak German!
If you are already in Germany, you will find that most Germans will try to oblige you by speaking English to you (since everybody has learned at least a little at school). You may find it necessary to ask people to stick to German, or you will not learn anything. Ask them to speak slowly - some Germans speak quite fast.
Berlin-Program
Berlin-Program is a monthly magazine, which you can order from Rimbach-Verlag, Postfach 370144, D - 14131 Berlin, Germany. It will not only improve your German, but will also give you an idea of what's going on in the town. Call + (4930) 802 10 71 for more information.
Learning German online
Do a search on "Learning German Online" or "Deutsch im Internet". My search revealed at least four sites that are worth checking out.
"Auf Liederreise"
"Auf Liederreise" is a German Christmas carol book for learners of German. Comes with explanations about the songs and instructions for the guitar. An additional CD or tape with the songs is available. (Liederheft: 3-12-675080-x; Kassette: 3-12-675083-4; Audio-CD: 3-12-675081-8)
Listen to some of the songs by going here and click on "Auf Liederreise":
http://www.klett-verlag.de/klett-international/d/produkte/daf/index.html
German as a foreign language
A portal for those teaching German as a foreign language:
http://www.deutsch-als-fremdsprache.de
Free newspapers and magazines
If you happen to pass a university or mensa, take a quick look inside to see if there are any free publications available. Most universities have set up tables in hallways with all kind of free information. You will even find mags and newspapers that you would have to pay for, if you got them at the newsagent. Sometimes students 'dump' books they do no longer want, too.
Free Post Office Planner
Get your free post office planner (ca. 140 pages) complete with colorful & up-to-date information on German history, sightseeing, public holidays, fairytales, tips etc. at any German post office. Each page is illustrated, but there is plenty of room for personal notes. This diary is intended for German kids, but it is also a great learning device for adults from abroad: the German texts are not difficult. The planner is good for a full year, and best of all, it is free.
Subscribe to Das Fenster Magazine
Das Fenster magazine is a US-mag written by Germans living abroad. A one year subscription (12 issues) costs $ 19,95. Order a free copy first at www.dasfenster.com.
The Umlaut
There are three "Umlauts" in German: ae (an a with two dots on top) which sounds like AY, oe (o with two dots) pronounced like the "i" in "sir" and ue (u with dots) sounding like the French "tu" or "sur". Since these sounds are not available in English, you need to pay careful attention whenever you encounter them.
Free samples of German literature
Free German literature online:
Get free samples of German literature (e-books) here:
http://www.internet-edition.com
Newsletter from Zeit
Interested in German culture? Zeit Magazine has a free newsletter for you:
http://www.zeit.de/kultur/
This offer is for the advanced student of German.
Learn German with 'Der Spiegel'
Learn German online by reading the popular mag "Der Spiegel".
http://www.spiegel.de/
Not for beginners.
How Berlin speaks
Interested in the Berlin sociolect? Find out how a typical Berliner speaks by going here:
http://userpage.chemie.fu-berlin.de/diverse/doc/berlinisch.html
Hyde Flippo is your guide!
Hyde Flippo is the German language guide at about.com.
His 'hot' topics for November 2001 include:
- German "false friends" flashcards, a fun way to learn new German vocabulary or review
- dog and cat names in German
- German for Beginners - all of Flippo's free German lessons are available any day, any time.
URL: http://german.about.com/index.htm?terms=Germany
Also check out about.com's recommendations and links to German chatrooms:
http://german.about.com/cs/deutscherchat/
Learning German online, for foreigners
Check out this great site:
http://www.uncg.edu/~lixlpurc/GIP/german_units/exercover.html
This is a great opportunity to learn German online, the exercises are particularly designed for foreigners
Deutsch als Fremdsprache
Brush up your German by checking out this information service. Special emphasis is placed on German as a foreign language.
http://www.deutsch-als-fremdsprache.de/infodienst
Look at homepages of German students
If you want to find out what German students are concerned with, go to:
http://www.studentenseite.de/
A good way to improve your German, too.
Rechtschreibreform
What is the Rechtschreibreform? Go to:
http://www.ids-mannheim.de/pub/sprachreport/reform/reform.html
You will find detailed information on the German “Rechtschreibreform” (new spelling system), which can also be printed in a neat summarized version.
Place free ads online
You can place free ads on two sites that specialize in German products and services. Go to either
www.germancorner.com
www.Buchwurm.com
and follow the links. - This is a good idea if you want to find people, who share your hobbies, and an excellent way to improve your German.
A pen pal for Mike
Looking for a pen pal for Mike. He is 13 years old and would like to write in German to a boy around his own age. Please e-mail information to his aunt at peggyk5@yahoo.com. She will pass the information on to Mike.
