Recommended Resources
Before You Start: Choose resources that match your learning style and schedule. It’s better to consistently use a few resources than to overwhelm yourself with many. Consider starting with one free resource from each category before investing in paid options.
Structured Courses
Nicos Weg
Free online course by Deutsche Welle following a story-based format with interactive exercises, videos, and grammar explanations. (Free)
Level: A1-B1
Best for: Self-motivated learners who enjoy learning through storytelling and want a structured, multimedia approach. Most effective for complete beginners through A1.
Goethe Institute Online German Course
Official German cultural institution’s comprehensive online course with professional instruction. (Paid)
Level: A1-C2
Best for: Serious learners wanting recognized certification and structured progression. Particularly valuable for A1-B1 levels where having a structured curriculum is crucial.
Menschen Coursebooks
Popular textbook series with clear progression, audio materials, and workbook. (Paid)
Level: A1-B2
Best for: Learners who prefer traditional textbook learning or need a solid reference book. Most effective for A1-A2 levels.
Spaced Repetition
Anki
Powerful spaced repetition flashcard software with shared decks and customization options. (Free desktop/Android, Paid iOS)
Level: A1-C2
Best for: Systematic learners who want to optimize their vocabulary retention. Particularly valuable from A1-B1 when building core vocabulary.
Recommended Anki Decks:
Audio Courses
Pimsleur German
Audio-based learning program focusing on speaking and listening through spaced repetition and graduated interval recall. The 30-minute daily lessons build naturally from basic to more complex conversations. (Paid)
Level: A1-B2
Best for: Learners who want to develop natural speaking patterns and proper pronunciation while commuting or exercising. Most effective for A1-A2 levels where building proper pronunciation habits is critical.
Assimil German
Comprehensive audio course with accompanying textbook using the intuitive assimilation method. Focuses on natural language acquisition through bilingual texts and native audio. (Paid)
Level: A1-B2
Best for: Self-study learners who enjoy learning through reading while listening to native audio. Particularly effective for A2-B1 levels where understanding natural dialogue patterns becomes crucial.
Michel Thomas German
Unique audio method focusing on building grammatical understanding through guided conversations. No memorization or written materials required. (Paid)
Level: A1-B1
Best for: Learners who want to understand German grammar intuitively and build speaking confidence without memorization. Most effective for A1 level where establishing good grammatical foundations is essential.
Comprehensible Input
YouTube Channels
Easy German
Street interviews and lessons with dual subtitles. (Free with paid premium option)
Level: A1-C2
Best for: Visual learners who want exposure to authentic German speech. Most valuable for B1-B2 levels where understanding natural, native speech becomes crucial.
Deutsch für Euch
Grammar explanations and vocabulary lessons in English and German. (Free)
Level: A1-B1
Best for: Beginners who want clear grammar explanations. Most effective for A1 when building fundamental understanding.
Podcasts
Coffee Break German
Structured podcast lessons with clear explanations in English. (Free with paid premium content)
Level: A1-B1
Best for: Beginners who prefer audio learning and want detailed explanations. Most valuable at A1-A2 levels.
Slow German
Simple German texts read at a slower pace with complete transcripts. Topics range from everyday life and culture to history and current events. Each episode focuses on a single topic, making it perfect for focused learning sessions. (Free with paid transcripts)
Level: A1-B2
Best for: Learners who want to improve listening comprehension with clearly articulated German. Particularly effective for A2-B1 levels when transitioning from textbook German to more natural speech patterns.
Streaming Content
ARD Mediathek
Free streaming service with German TV shows, movies, and documentaries. (Free)
Level: A2-C2
Best for: Learners ready for authentic German media content. Most beneficial from B1 onward.
Reading Resources
Dino lernt Deutsch Series
Popular series of short stories following the adventures of Dino, a young man traveling through Germany. Written specifically for German learners with natural dialogue and cultural insights. (Paid)
Level: A1-B1
Best for: Beginners who want to start reading longer texts. Most effective at A2 when you have basic grammar and vocabulary but need practice with connected text.
André Klein’s German Short Stories
Collection of short story books with parallel text (German-English), vocabulary lists, and comprehension exercises. Stories focus on realistic situations and natural dialogue. (Paid)
Level: A1-B2
Best for: Self-study learners who want support while reading. Particularly valuable for A2-B1 levels where having English translations helps build reading confidence.
Nachrichtenleicht
News articles written in simplified German, updated weekly. Includes current events, politics, sports, and culture. (Free)
Level: A2-B1
Best for: Learners transitioning to authentic news content. Most effective at B1 when building news comprehension skills while still needing some language support.
Speaking Practice
iTalki
Platform for finding private tutors and language exchange partners. (Paid per lesson)
Level: A1-C2
Best for: Learners wanting personalized instruction or conversation practice. Most beneficial from A2 onward when you have enough vocabulary to maintain basic conversations.
Lingoda
Live online group classes with native teachers. (Paid)
Level: A1-C2
Best for: Learners who want structured group lessons with professional teachers. Particularly valuable from A2-B2 levels.
Tandem
Language exchange app that matches you with native German speakers who want to learn your language. Features text, audio, and video chat options, plus conversation starters and correction tools. (Free with paid premium features)
Level: A1-C2
Best for: Learners who want regular, informal conversation practice with native speakers. Most effective from A2 onward when you have enough basic vocabulary to maintain simple conversations about everyday topics.
ChatGPT Advanced Voice Mode
AI-powered conversation practice with voice interaction. (Paid)
While ChatGPT can provide convenient speaking practice, it is not a replacement for human interaction. The AI may not always catch subtle pronunciation errors or provide the same quality of feedback as a human teacher. Consider this as a supplementary tool for practice between human conversation sessions, particularly if budget constraints limit access to human tutors.
Level: A1-C2
Best for: Learners wanting additional speaking practice between human conversation sessions, or those who cannot currently afford regular tutoring. Most effective for A1-A2 levels where you need practice with general conversation but aren’t yet working on advanced nuances that require human feedback.
Cultural Resources
Deutsche Welle Culture
Articles and videos about German culture and society. (Free)
Level: B1-C2
Best for: Learners interested in cultural context and current events. Most valuable from B2 onward.
Deutsch Perfekt Magazine
Magazine designed for German learners with articles at different difficulty levels. (Paid)
Level: A2-C1
Best for: Learners wanting to improve reading skills while learning about culture. Most effective from B1 onward.
Resource Selection Tips
- Start with one resource from each category rather than trying everything at once
- Focus on resources that match your learning style and schedule
- Combine structured learning with immersion-based approaches
- Make speaking practice a priority from the beginning
- Use spaced repetition consistently for vocabulary retention
Budget Planning: You can start learning German completely free using resources like Nicos Weg, Deutsche Welle, and Anki. If you choose to invest in paid resources, consider starting with one premium tool and adding speaking practice once you’ve established a consistent study routine.