Learning a new language shouldn’t have to be so difficult but unfortunately, with the development of several programs and institutions, it can be a daunting experience to find the right one that suits your needs and goals.
Whether you’re wanting to learn German to improve your language proficiency, for educational purposes, or leisure; it is important that the site or platform you choose is effective, delivers great results that suit your needs or schedule, and is also cost-effective.
This article serves as an introduction to learning German online. Whether you’re looking for a German general course, business German, or learning German to achieve certification, this article provides an overview of some of the best resources out there.
Table of Contents
Why learn German?
There are many reasons to learn German, and this reason is different for everyone. It could be because you’re thinking of relocating to a country whose official language is German, it could be for educational purposes, or because you generally just want to learn a new language.
It’s important to define the reason you want to learn for yourself so that your goals and expectations are self-motivated and practical. If you’re on this journey, here are 7 tips to help you learn and become more proficient in the language
7 ways to learn German:
- Be consistent with your tasks or exercises
- Never stop reading: The more you read, the easier you’ll pick up the language
- Listen to audio or videos to improve your listening skills and pronunciation
- Make learning fun by including activities that inspire you and keep you motivated
- Don’t compare yourself to others. Your journey to learning German is independent of others
- Change your mindset to one which is positive and communicate with native speakers
- Ask as many questions as you want. Teachers or educators are there to assist you so take advantage of this
Let’s discover some online German courses
1. AmazingTalker: Top overall
Why Choose AmazingTalker?
✅ One-on-one learning
✅ Students only pay after the class is taken
✅ If the student is not satisfied, the student can change to another tutor at no extra cost
✅ Tutoring services offered at any level of language proficiency
At AmazingTalker, the cost per lesson is determined by the tutor’s pricing and can range between $15-$28 an hour.
The website features offer the option of matching students with tutors using a questionnaire on the level of proficiency the student is, their budget, the age range that student prefers their tutor to fall within, and other parameters. As a user, it’s likely that you’d want to read reviews before signing on. Fortunately, the website showcases their service reviews from both students and teachers providing potential users with a level of transparency.
It’s always a good idea to look at the pros and cons of any learning platform. Below are a few advantages and disadvantages of AmazingTalker:
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Choose Your Level : Select your classes based on your needs including test prep to vacational English. | Classes aren’t free : The services offered by are paid up front and can be quite expensive. |
| Student Services : If students feel burdened by cultural differences or need assistance with housing, AEI can offer help. | Location : Because AEI is located near Los Angeles, only select students who apply and get visas can go. |
| Customized Courses : Based on your specific learning needs with a personal tutor. | |
| Visa Assistance : AEI will help you apply for your I-20 and F1 student visa. |
2. Goethe Institut: Top for International status
Why choose the Goethe-Institut?
✅ Goethe-Institut is active in 98 countries.
✅ 12 Goethe-Institut are in Germany.
✅ Goethe-Instituts promotes the study of German abroad and encourages international cultural exchange
Goethe-Institut is an institution by the Federal Republic of Germany located in various countries globally and aims to encourage international cultural exchange. Since Goethe-Institut is located globally, resources, pricing, and services provided by the institute are depended on location.
Here are some advantages and disadvantages of the Goethe-Institut:
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Excellent global institution : It is a global institution with excellent review in its quality of material and resources | Prices vary : Although prices vary, the cost of courses can be slightly costly |
| Online and in-person lessons : The Goethe-Institut offers services both online and in-classroom setting | External exams : Exams are written externally and the seats are limited and the fees are high. |
| Lessons for all levels : German courses are offered for levels A1 to C2. | Some profit-driven centers : Some institutions may be more profit-driven than output driven |
| Courses for all ages: German courses are offered for children, youth, and adults | |
| Exam preparation courses : Students learning German have access to exam preparation courses for each language level | |
| Individual Course : Courses are customized to the needs of the student | |
| Deutsch fur ditch : provides German learning content free of charge |
3. Rocket German: Top for access to resources
Why learn at Rocket German?
✅ Take a free trial and you’ll get sent a sample of lessons, some exclusive discounts, and more
✅ Created by a team of German speakers and teaching experts
✅ Lifetime access to resources
Rocket German is a German learning platform that promotes fluency in speaking and engaging in the language with the help of their unique program. The pricing of the resources depends on the student’s level.
Learn about the advantages and disadvantages of Rocket German below.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Lifetime access : Members receive 24/7 lifetime access to Rocket German from any computer, phone, or tablet | Paid subscription : Services are only available to paying members |
| Personalized courses : Flexible courses curated on your learning style or preference | Courses are expensive : Prices are slightly expensive compared to other platforms available |
| Learn fast : Learn faster with advanced learning techniques | |
| Supportive tools : Rocket German offers motivational tools and techniques that keep you inspired and focused |
4. DW: Top for affordability
Why learn at DW?
✅ Free German online courses with DW
✅ offers placement test to determine your level
✅ Learn from the basics and higher
Deutsche Welle (DW) is Germany’s international broadcaster and it also offers an online platform for learning German. DW offers free resources to learn German across various levels of language proficiency. The platform also offers a means for students to discover which course works best for them using a placement finder.
Let’s look at some advantages and disadvantages of learning German at DW.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Own pace : Learn German at your own pace | The website needs improvement : The website isn’t user friendly and can feel overwhelming |
| Available of all devices : E-learning on the computer, with videos, audio clips, and podcasts – or using traditional methods with worksheets you can print out | Unclear courses structure : It is unclear how the structure of courses and tutor schedule works |
| Courses for all levels : Select between German language courses for beginners and advanced levels |
5. Lingoda: Top for class setup
Why choose Lingoda?
✅ Online learning with native speakers
✅ Live classes online 24/7
✅ Learn in small groups or 1-on-1
✅ Free 7-day trial worth €40
Lingoda is an online language learning platform that offers services by qualified, native-speaking teachers. There are up to 1500+ experienced teachers that cater to the needs of language learning of the students.
Lingoda offers classes for students of all levels: beginner to advanced and courses aligned with the CEFR framework, As for pricing, Lingoda offers two packages to choose from, the first is a monthly subscription from €8 / $9.5 per class with a 7-day free trial. The second package is called Marathon Courses which subscribers commit to a one-time upfront payment and can earn up to €400 cashback. the Marathon Courses options have three options 3, 6, and 12-month with a 7-day free trial.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Small classes : Small group classes with 3-5 students | No free resources : Lingoda doesn’t offer free packages |
| Progress feedback is given : Students receive feedback on their progress | Costly subscriptions : The subscription option of Lingoda can be costly |
| 24/7 availability : learn day or night, weekday or weekend. | |
| Courses align with the CEFR : CEFR aligned language courses cater to all learning levels. |
6. SmarterGerman: Top for customized material
Why learn at SmarterGerman?
✅ Learn at your pace
✅ Individualized learning
✅ Learn German fast & with joy
SmarterGerman is a fun and engaging platform that provides German learning courses from beginner to advanced. Unlike other German courses, SmarterGerman also teaches using their unique Dictation Tool that compares your writing with the original and shows your mistakes so that you can learn from them. SmartGerman currently has a 20% off sale on classes for those interested. and learners can take advantage of their course bundles for extra savings.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Set your own schedule : Learn when it suits you, wherever you want | Learn on your own : SmarterGerman only offers an individual or independent style of learning |
| Courses are practical : Pick up practical skills for daily life or official exams | Work independently : Learners or students are accountable to themselves which requires a lot of discipline |
| Connect with others around the world : Connect with students worldwide and share your experiences. | |
| Interactive Exercises : Excercises are engaging |
7. DuoLingo: Top for student-centered learning
Why choose Duolingo?
✅ App feature is user-friendly
✅ Offers personalized learning
✅ Fun and interactive learning where students earn points and unlock new levels
Duolingo has gained quite a lot of popularity and many are likely to start off learning through Duolingo than any other existing platform. This popularity is granted by Duolingo’s enticing use of points to encourage learning,
In terms of pricing, Duolingo is mostly free but as users or students progress, some features are paid. therefore, to gain the most out of Duolingo, users will likely benefit from purchasing the premium version of the platform called Duolingo Plus.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Gain overall skills : Courses effectively and efficiently teach reading, listening, and speaking skills | Faulty speech recognition software : The speech recognition software needs to be improved |
| Research shows it works : Research study on the effectiveness of Duolingo has proven that it is effective even for school-going students | Translations aren’t absolutely accurate : Some translations aren’t 100% accurate |
| Fun and engaging : Build your skills each day with engaging exercises and playful characters. | Students need additional learning resources : When learning, you can’t rely on Duolingo alone, you need to outsource more information to improve your language proficiency |
| Learn on the go : Make your breaks and commutes more productive with Duolingo’s iPhone and Android apps | |
| Worldwide recognized tests : Complete the test and get certified in English |
8. FluentU: Top for real-life simulation
Why study at FluentU ?
✅ Language learning using real-world videos
✅ 14 Day free trial
✅ App accessibility for on the go learning
FluentU is an online language learning platform that teaches various languages such as German using videos from the real world. It gives learners the ability to learn practically by associating what they learn with events that happen in real life.
The pricing of FluentU two subscriptions both with a 14-day free trial which can be canceled anytime. The first subscription is an Annual Billing subscription where the first 4 months are free and the subscription is charged at $19.99 per month ($239.99 per year). the second subscription is the Monthly Billing is $29.99 dollars per month and where you send $359.99 a year.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Video captions : All captions are subtitled and translated | Costly subscriptions : The subscriptions can be pricey |
| Videos have subtitles : All videos are translated in the language of teaching with subtitles. | No free courses : FluentU doesn’t offer free courses or materials |
| Courses are engaging : It is made to be engaging to naturally help learners remember and master new vocabulary. | |
| Gain listening skills : Videos promote listening skills |
9. Berlitz: Top for exam preparation
Why study at Berlitz?
✅ Begin using the language in your first lesson with a native German speaker.
✅ Offers online private German classes and online group German classes
✅ Offers in-person classes from one of their center locations
Berlitz is a language school that offers classes for individuals of various levels of proficiency; from beginner to advanced. The system at Berlitz is unique in that it uses what is known as the Berlitz Method which is a proven, immersive technique that is customized to the needs of the student, the program is flexible and provides excellent and fast-paced results with cultural understanding.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Learning with native speakers : The student learns the cultural etiquette of the language and practical experience | Intensive classes : Courses are very intensive |
| In-person classes : Berlitz offers in-person German classes at our several center locations | Prices differ for every level : Pricing depends on the level of proficiency |
| A unique method of teaching : Educators make use of the Berlitz Method to encourage natural conversation skills | |
| Learn about the culture : Teaches cultural understanding |
10. Humbolt-Institut: Top for real work preparation
Why study at the Humbolt-Institut?
✅ Offers German courses for kids, teenagers, adults and executives
✅ Classes are small and intimate
✅ For all levels and schedules
The Humbolt-Institut has about 16 centers available in both Germany and Austria. At every center, the institutions offer an all-inclusive package with German courses, housing accommodations, a full board, and a wealth of leisure activities.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Learn German quickly : Suitable for everyone who is looking to improve their German quickly and easily | Courses are intensive : The courses offered are intensive and formal |
| Small and intimate classes : Small classes and intensive lessons | Class sizes are limited : When classes are filled, entries are limited |
| Suitable for all children and adults : Caters for students from the young age of 7 to 18, and adults from the age of 18 and older | |
| Suitable for all children and adults : Caters for students from the young age of 7 to 18, and adults from the age of 18 and older |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which German online method is right for me?
Choosing the best online method is dependent on many factors such as your budget or affordability, your ability to work independently, and how much assistance you may need as some platforms offer one-on-one support in addition to self-learning programs. It also depends on what your ultimate goal is—for example, if you want to learn for leisure then you’d be best suited for an online method that is free, and fun.
As you discover how different learning methods work, you’d be able to choose one that suits your style and goals better.
Do I need to know some German to take part in an online German course?
No, you don’t. Most, if not all German learning platforms offer courses from beginner level and upwards. This gives the learner flexibility to start at their level.
How long does learning German take?
Learning German, just like any other language, is a journey and shouldn’t be rushed. A person’s ability to improve in language proficiency is dependent on how much work or effort they put into their learning i.e. hours and practice, and age. Research shows that the older a person is, the more time it takes to learn a new language.
It’s important that the student immerse themselves in a community of native speakers to improve their communication skills.
How much does a German online course cost?
The cost of an online course depends on the pricing of specific platforms. This is why when considering or choosing a German online course the student has to check the pricing stipulated on the platform’s website.
Some German online courses offer free resources as well as a paid subscription that gives the learner access to additional resources.
Is the German language easy to learn?
The degree of ease when learning German largely depends on desirability which means how much work you put in and how badly you want to learn. A person who is dedicated and immersed in the course will benefit more compared to someone who is laid-back and does what they need to and nothing else.
Learning requires the student to actively engage with the material or resource provided by listening to audio in German, reading more, and asking more questions from their tutors.
Where is the German language commonly spoken?
German is commonly spoken in countries such as Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, the Italian province of South Tyrol Belgium, and Luxembourg.
German is the official language of both Germany and Austria and it is one of the official languages of Switzerland, Belgium, Liechtenstein, and Luxembourg
Where does the German language come from?
The German language originates from Germany and after its long-winded history, the German language spoken today became standardized in the 18th century, with slight differences from its inception from the Germanic people in the first century BCE.
Conclusion
Learning a new language can feel daunting at times but through the resources provides, readers and potential students should take note of the comparisons across these platforms before making a decision. the best German courses are those which suit your learning style and affordability.
AmazingTalker offers a learning style that is both student-centered and considers the affordability of its students by offering courses based on the student’s budget range. Sign up for German-speaking courses now at AmazingTalker.
