My German Learning Journey — Part 1: A New Beginning

[VickyHornum]

The Decision to Dive into German

In the waning months of 2022, as I nestled into the new reality of my pregnancy, my husband and I made a life-changing decision: to move to Germany after our baby was born. This was May 2023, and with the excitement of a new chapter came the realization of an immediate challenge — my rusty German skills. I had taken some classes back in 2016, but seven years without practice had left me essentially back at the starting line.

The False Start with Goethe Institute

Eager to brush up, I enrolled in an A2 online course with the Goethe Institute in Hong Kong. However, life, or perhaps fate, had other plans. The course was postponed at the last minute, leaving me in limbo. After another delay with no materials in sight, my pregnancy hormones got the better of me. I felt a mix of frustration and paranoia, leading me to cancel the course and embark on a self-learning journey.

Duolingo: A Fun Start but Not Enough

My first stop was Duolingo. It was engaging, with its game-like interface, and I found myself completing tasks daily, even outpacing friends. But soon, the novelty wore off. The sentences were too simplistic, often nonsensical, like “my cat drinks black coffee.” The repetition was excessive, and there was a noticeable lack of grammar practice. As my pregnancy progressed, I decided to take a break, feeling that this wasn’t preparing me for real-world German.

Finding My Path with DeutschWelle

Postpartum, with a newborn in arms and amidst preparing for a driving test, I revisited my German learning. That’s when I discovered the DeutschWelle Language Learning App. Unlike Duolingo, DeutschWelle offered structured lessons through “Nico’s Weg” at the A2 level, which felt much more aligned with my needs. The topics were practical, covering everyday scenarios from travel to work and relationships. The app included videos, audio lessons, vocabulary, and even speaking exercises with feedback. This holistic approach significantly boosted my reading, listening, and speaking skills, although writing practice was limited.

Triumph and Reflection

By early December 2023, just four months into using DeutschWelle, I noticed a substantial improvement. I could follow German conversations, especially when my husband spoke on the phone, provided the topic was within my realm of knowledge. Encouraged by this progress, I enrolled in an A2 test, mainly for visa purposes, and passed with 76%. This self-taught success was incredibly fulfilling.

 

Looking Ahead

Would I recommend formal courses? Yes, but with reservations about online offerings from institutions like Goethe, based on my experience. However, my journey has taught me the value of self-learning tools when chosen wisely.

As we settle into our new life in Germany, I’m eager to share how my language skills evolve in an immersive environment. Stay tuned for the next chapter of my German learning journey, where I’ll explore learning the language in the land where it’s spoken.