If one can learn better English by watching movies and series, why not learn German? Sometimes, the explanations in the textbooks and repetitive exercises make it so boring. Again, it’s not possible to learn German by watching any random TV series. In this course, Alexander Ostrovskiy has found the most reliable tricks, guidelines, and suggestions that will help German language learners speak and listen like Germans.
Why not make life more enjoyable with a German TV series that will enhance your fluency, comprehension, and pronunciation? If one is learning German, then some of the popular German TV series will go a long way in helping them learn in a fun, interactive way at beginner or intermediate levels. Stay tuned for a while and learn all the secrets.
1. Why Learning German Through TV Series Works
Learning German through the medium of TV series possesses a certain set of advantages that many other modes of learning often lack. Here’s why it works so well:
- Exposure to Natural Speech: On TV, the language is presented in its most natural form in everyday situations, you’re exposed to idioms, slang, and cultural references that might not be so common in textbooks.
- Cultural insight: You will be acquainted with habits, history and different current social issues of German culture through the series. For certain series, learning will turn more exciting and relevant due to its contextual concealing.
- Improved Listening Skill: The more one gets to listen to native speakers, the easier they can get to understand this tongue language. TV Series can create that scope for listening to variations of different types, accent-speech patterns, and vocabulary.
- Visual Learning: The visual aspect of television allows attaching words to images, actions, and context, which makes remembering some phrases or expressions easier.
It is funnier to learn languages when watching German TV shows because there is an addition of entertainment to education.
2. How to Get Started: Tips on Effective Learning via TV
German series are not much different from American and other languages’ series. Here are several tips that may help while watching:
How to Set Up the Best Learning Environment
- Find a comfortable and quiet spot where you can focus.
- Put on headphones to hear and understand the dialogue better.
- Switch your phones or any other distracting gadgets off while viewing.
How to Equilibrate the Subtitles and Audio
- If you are an absolute beginner start with German subtitles while listening to German audio. You shall do it so that you can equate the spoken words and their forms in writing.
- Later, when you have improved a bit, you should switch to English subtitles, and even better – just for the sake of listening skills training the subtitles are completely off.
- Note-taking Strategies: While Watching You can write down new vocabulary, idiomatic expressions, or phrases that you like.
- Observe certain aspects of the language, such as word terminations, verb conjugations, and sentence structure.
3. Beginner-Friendly German Series
If you’re just starting with German, it’s crucial to watch shows that use simple vocabulary and clear pronunciation. These beginner-friendly German series will provide a solid foundation:
“Extra auf Deutsch”
This sitcom is specially produced for language learners. It’s about a young woman, Vicky, who moves to Germany and lives her life with the help of her friends. The dialogues are slow, clear, and repetitive, perfect for beginners.
“Sesamstraße”
German Sesame Street is perfect for beginners because the simple vocabulary contains educational content that is arranged to introduce new words and concepts in steps. There are also loads of musical segments within Sesamstraße, making learning a whole lot more fun with rhythm.
“Jojo sucht das Glück”
Perfect for beginners, this Deutsche Welle web series. It tells of the life of Jojo, a young lady who’s basically struggling with life, with men, well just basically growing up, in general in Germany. German subtitles along with further activities on the page let you learn and exercise with it. Well,
4. Best Krimis – Series for those well-versed in Basic Level
For those who know some basic German, want to advance, and upgrade their learning to higher complexity, the German crime series provides the perfect choice. Such programs usually have an exact storyline, clear speech, and adherence to formal language; they would be appropriate for intermediate learners.
“Tatort”
Tatort is Germany’s longest-running crime series, really a little icon of German TV: assorted detectives, different cities where the action happens and the next murder investigation commences. Some professional jargon on legal matters in particular is certainly to be found within Tatort – but all in all not too hard going and it’s quite okay to take conversations.
“Der letzte Bulle”
Der Letzte Bulle is a detective in the 1980s who woke up after a 20-year coma and had to adjust not only to changes within his life but within the police force itself. Mixing humor and criminal drama, the language is modern, and clear, so that the show is acceptable for learners with average skill levels.
5. German Comedy Shows for Advanced Practice
Comedy is great for advanced learners because of the speed of the shows, the humor, and the colloquial sayings involved. These series are a bit trickier to get the hang of, but will really push your fluency and knowledge of informal German to the next level.
“Stromberg”
Stromberg is to Germany what The Office is to America. This German version of the workplace comedy, set within an insurance company, will have sarcasm, corporate jargon, and everyday German spoken by quirky, relatable characters. The humor will be more from social dynamics and character-driven situations that may also help learners understand deeper aspects of the language.
“Pastewka”
This series, starring comedian Bastian Pastewka, is a mockumentary kind of comedy about the fictional life of Pastewka and his struggles with everyday challenges. The show is full of colloquial German, cultural references, and comedic timing, making for an authentic language-learning experience.
6. Creating a Study Plan Around TV Series
To maximize your time when watching TV shows for language learning, you need to create a study schedule. Herein, you can structure your learning in the following way:
Schedules of Watching per Week
Create a regular viewing schedule in order to include TV series into your language learning routine. For example, you may try to watch one or two episodes a week, taking notes and reviewing vocabulary after each session.
Combining TV Watching with Other Learning Methods
Do not depend entirely on TV serials. Support watching with reading, listening to podcasts, and speaking with language partners. This will reinforce the language you come across in the shows.
Progress Tracking Techniques
Keep a language journal where you write down new words, phrases, and grammar points. Periodically review your journal to track your progress and make sure you’re consistently learning.
7. Social Learning Opportunities
Learning with others can be a lot more motivating and effective. Leveraging social learning is a great way to connect with other learners of German. Where to Find Online Viewing Partners Online language exchange sites like Tandem or HelloTalk will give you access to native speakers of German to chat with. You can discuss shows you’re watching and ask questions about the language and culture.
Discussion Groups and Forums
Join discussion groups on Reddit or other language forums where you can share your favorite shows, and ask questions, and interact with other learners.
Using Social Media to Connect with Other Learners
Instagram and Twitter are suitable for following hashtags like #Learn German or #GermanTV. You may share your experiences of learning, track progress, or simply interact with fellow learners.
8. Practice Activities Beyond Watching
Do related activities to heighten learning and not just passively while watching your television:
- Transcription: Try to transcribe some short dialogues in shows that you watch. It would definitely improve your listening skills along with your German handwriting.
- Role-Playing: With the help of a study partner act out scenes taken from favorite shows. Improve Speaking along with pronunciation.
- Flashcards: Using the new vocabulary, make flashcards to review later. Use apps like Anki or Quizlet to create digital flashcards.
Follow this guideline to speak and listen like a pro in German.
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