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How to ace German? – Part 2

To be absolutely frank I would never expect this article would wind up so king-sized! It appears that there are just too many brilliant didactical references. At any rate I strongly hope you will find this piece of help and complementary to the initial part. As preannounced before, this editorial will focus on more traditional and actively encouraging learning aids.

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5. Light literature, books for children, gamebooks, books with riddles

Books for children are written in a simple language so that you can get a grasp of it for starters to later move on to „Leichte Lekture”. In free translation this means „Light/Easy reading”. These are books particularly published for German learners “DaF” – “Deutsch als Fremdsprache” is often a keyword as well as “Leicht & Logisch” or “Leischt & Genial”.

Alternatively to standard books, you may also reach out for more playful form of books – books with riddles such as “PONS 250 Rätsel Deutsch als Fremdsprache” – “250 riddles for German learners” by Pons. If you are culture and customs oriented I recommend equipping yourself by books, written by institute DACHL, describing everyday lifestyle, history, festivities and traditions of each German-speaking country.

Edition Bi:libri has published as series of books for children in bilingual versions with German and are available in the following languages: Arabic, Turkish, English, French, Italian, Spanish, Russian. Should you wish to have a sneak peak into how do they actually combine the two vernaculars, visit the publisher’s website: www.edition-bilibri.com/72.html.

6. Magazines for language learners

Beside audio-visuals and gamified content, the good old page-turner still has lion’s share in learning trajectories. Make sure to include the below in your next revision.

Deutsch Perfekt www.deutsch-perfekt.com/deutsch-perfekt-produkte.

Paper published monthly for learners with levels between A2-C2 with wide selection of contemporary topics. What distinguishes this release amongst all are the side columns with explanations of the terms from the articles, explained in easier German.

In some countries you can find magazines that have these in your mother tongue (Poland – Deutsch Aktuell).

DE Magazin Deutschland is an online available journal: www.deutschland.de/de.

The scope topics are as broad as culture, science, politics or business. The same editorials are available in handful of languages therefore you can compare two languages and gain a better understanding of the German language style applied in the news industry.

If you prefer digital to paper, check out: www.deutsch-lernen-online.net/lesen or the alternatively to DW Deutsch Lernen smartphone app - online website with lector reading out the news: www.dw.com/de/deutsch-lernen/nachrichten/s-8030.

After you master comprehending DaF magazines you can try with everyday life newspapers and similar (equipment instructions, recipes, legends and parables).

7. Flashcards, grammar or vocabulary handy boards

To my mind handcrafting your flashcards will be a great chance for a revision and practise. There are also keychain booklets or grammar tables that can easily fit into your handbag called „Deutsch auf einen blick” which translates to “German in a flash”.

8. Games for language learners

While I was browsing the net for more game-inspired ways to practise German I came across Klett and Eli Publishing. Admittedly to light books for German-learners they have established and distribute board and card games for that purpose! How cool is that?
www.elionline.com/eng/search-results?deutsch-daf/lernspiele/all/all/all/all 
www.elipublishing.pl/jezyk-niemiecki-gry-i-zabawy-jezykowe-c-73_75.html  
www.klett-sprachen.de/bau-den-satz/t-1/9783125348370 
www.klett-sprachen.de/die-insel-der-praepositionen/t-1/9783125349711 
www.klett-sprachen.de/fragen-und-antworten/t-1/9783125347571 

9. Tandem, tutor, language mashup

To find one you can join Facebook groups or check the common places downtown in your location.

This is a Tandem Group in Berlin: www.facebook.com/groups/LaTaBe/about/ 

In my city for instance you can find language mashups in pubs: www.facebook.com/events/1023344594479459/ 

Couch Surfing language exchange: www.facebook.com/CSLanguageExchange/ 

10. Youth programmes in DACH countries

You could take advantage of a youth exchange, workshops, internship, and voluntary service or become an au-pair or work at a hostel through HI Connect program!

IJGD - Internationale Jugendgemeinschaftsdienste - Voluntary service is active in different domains, such as social, ecological, politics and democracy, monument preservation or science, technology and sustainability. If you cannot spare a full year you can also apply for a shorter period, for example 3 weeks. For those with only handful of time on their hands there is a short term volunteering opportunity via workcamps that last less than 2 weeks. Regarding projects in Germany visit: www.ijgd.de 

Speaking of workcamps you can find different possibilities in DACH via SCI association: www.sci.ngo/what-we-do/workcamps. Social Civil International is an advocate for sustainable living and local community service. The themes are very diverse as well as the possible destinations.

Regarding youth exchanges and seminars, you can consult Erasmus + projects advisor: European Youth Portal: europa.eu/youth/volunteering_en 

You can also check my previous article on Erasmus+ projects where I listed different Facebook groups and websites to find EU funded workshops and trainings.

German Academic Exchange Service: www.daad.de/en/.

Internship in Bundestag: www.bundestag.de/ips.

This piece certainly has not exhausted the opportunities. Having said that I trust this shows you the wealth of possibilities and encourages your wish to learn!

And what is your favourite way to learn a language?

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