Are you having trouble understanding spoken German? You're not alone. Lots of German learners find listening the most difficult language skill to develop. But don't worry, we're here to help you!
Developing listening skills is important for all language learners. It'll make having conversations easier and open whole new worlds of German content. Not only this, but it's actually lots of fun training your listening skills. Don't believe us? Well, then have a look at our top tips and strategies for improving your German listening skills.
Developing listening skills is important for all language learners. It'll make having conversations easier and open whole new worlds of German content. Not only this, but it's actually lots of fun training your listening skills. Don't believe us? Well, then have a look at our top tips and strategies for improving your German listening skills.
How to improve your listening comprehension
Learn the alphabet and basic pronunciation
Get started by learning the German alphabet. Learn how to pronounce each letter and what sounds appear in the German language. You'll start tuning your ears and be able to recognize German when you hear it.
Grow your vocabulary
It's hard to understand a language if you have a small vocabulary. Luckily, there's an easy way to fix this problem. You just need to learn more words! Grow your vocabulary as you use German more and more. Collect words from things you read or listen to, or search for vocabulary or phrase lists online. The larger your vocabulary, the more German you'll be able to understand.
Use dictionaries with audio functions
Use dictionaries with audio functions like Forvo or LEO. Not only can you look up the definitions of words, but you can also hear how to pronounce them. That way you'll be able to better recognize the words the next time you hear them.
Practice daily
Practice makes perfect! Improving your listening skills is like improving any other skill – you need to work at it every day. Create a listening routine that you can stick to throughout the week. For example, you could set aside 10 minutes before work to listen to the news in German. Or find a podcast that you can play while preparing dinner. Find something simple and enjoyable that you can stick to daily.
Listen to the same audio material for a week
Practice listening to the same audio material throughout the week. The more you listen to the same piece, the more you'll start to understand. At first, focus on recognizing new words. Then try to pay attention to sentence stress and intonation. Finally, end the week off by listening for comprehension.
Read along as you listen to a text
Boost your listening comprehension by reading along as you listen to a text. Reading along while you listen is a great way to keep you focused. It will also help you make connections between words and their pronunciations. Always be on the lookout for transcripts of any audio material you listen to!
Listen to audio with different speeds
Beginners might find it useful to play around with audio speed settings. For example, you can usually change how fast or slow a video or podcast is played. Try slowing down what you're listening to if you find the normal pace too quick. Once you understand the audio material spoken at a slow place, switch back to normal speed and try again. Most likely you'll be able to understand the material much better now.
Listen actively, not passively
Focus your listening practice on active listening. Active listening involves listening to audio for comprehension. It can be challenging because you have to concentrate and pay attention to what you are listening to. But it has many benefits. You'll improve your listening skills in your target language, and will learn a lot of new words. You might even find that you become a better listener altogether.
How to actively train your listening skills
Listen to podcasts and audiobooks
Listening to podcasts and audiobooks is an excellent challenge for your listening skills. Since you don't have a text to follow while listening to them, you have to rely entirely on your listening skills. This will help you improve your skills quickly. Be sure to listen to podcasts and audiobooks that interest you and compliment your language level.
Play video games with lots of dialogue
Video games are language learning resources that most people don't even consider. But they're full of dialogue and texts that are translated into many languages. If you enjoy gaming, why not try switching the games you play into the language you're learning? You'll have fun playing and get lots of reading and listening practice at the same time.
Enjoy music in German
Listening to music in German is a great way to improve your listening skills. Explore your favorite genres and get some language practice at the same time! Sing along to songs to improve your pronunciation, or memorize song lyrics to learn new words. It's easy to find music online via platforms like YouTube and Spotify. Check them out and maybe you'll find your next favorite musician.
Watch TV and movies
Turn your streaming habits into language learning opportunities! Watch TV shows, movies, and YouTube videos in German. There's lots to choose from! Look for things that fit your interests and language level. Don't forget to use subtitles if you need them.
Find a conversational partner
The best way to learn any language is to use it. Look for German speakers and ask one of them to be your conversational partner. This should be someone that you can talk to regularly in German. Having a conversational partner will help improve both your speaking and listening skills. Your partner can help improve your pronunciation and point out any mistakes you make. They can also answer questions and teach you about German-speaking culture.
Resources to help you improve your listening skills
Want to get started training your listening skills today? There are lots of resources available online that can help you. Just check out the list below! There we've gathered our top resources just for you. Check out the links to websites we recommend. And take a look at the free learning resources on lingoneo to boost your German skills. Try them out and start improving your listening skills right away.Listen to audio books from Librivox
Looking to challenge your listening skills? Then try listening to audio books! It's a fun and rewarding way to test your comprehension. On Librivox you'll find lots of free German audio books to listen to. Check it out and make listening to stories in German a part of your language routine.
Watch YouTube Videos
YouTube is an excellent resource that can help you train your listening comprehension. Search for videos by native speakers, or watch ones designed for language learners. On lingoneo's channel you'll find a variety of videos that will prepare you for everyday conversations. Check out one of our videos below – and don't forget to subscribe!
Learn step by step with a course
Searching for a well structured way to learn German and improve your listening? Then check out lingoneo's free German courses. They'll help train your ears and prepare you for German conversations. Try a unit and see how lingoneo can help you improve your German step by step.
Listen to essential phrases
Learn and listen to German phrases on our website. In our articles, each phrase is paired with audio so that you can immediately listen to its pronunciation. This will help you learn the phrase better and get used to hearing it. Check out the preview below and then head over to one of our articles to learn even more!
Learn German with relaxing music
Want to practice listening to German while relaxing? Then we've got just what you need! On lingoneo we've paired our phrases with relaxing music. That way you can unwind and learn German at the same time. Kick back and check out this example!
Build up your audio library
On lingoneo you'll find lots of audio files that you can use to train your listening skills. Download them for free and build your own audio library. Get a taste of the variety of audio files available for the topic "Introducing Yourself".
