Start with a simple plan you can keep
Success at A1–A2 comes from steady, short sessions. Instead of chasing every app or course, pick a tiny routine and repeat it. Decide when you will study, what you will do first, and how you will track progress. Your goal is to build a habit that fits your life, not a perfect schedule.
Use a time box: 15–30 minutes per day is enough for beginners if you focus. Split it into three parts: vocabulary, grammar, and speaking or listening. Keep a mini log so you see the wins stacking up.
- Daily split (15–30 minutes): 8 vocab, 7 grammar, 10 speaking/listening.
- Weekly target: 5 days minimum; 1 review day; 1 day off.
- One step at a time: master greetings, then numbers, then daily routines.
Build core words and pronunciation first
Start with high-frequency words you will actually say: greetings, numbers, days, food, directions. Use spaced repetition flashcards and say every item out loud. Pair vocabulary with short phrases, not single words, so you learn how the language flows.
Pronunciation matters early in german. Learn the alphabet, umlauts (a, o, u with dots), and the ch/tsch sounds. Shadow short clips: listen, pause, repeat. Many free online clips and podcasts for beginners make this easy.
- Learn 10 new words a day in phrases: Ich moechte Kaffee, Wo ist die U-Bahn?
- Shadow 2–3 minutes of slow audio daily to train your ear and mouth.
- Keep a tiny pron chart: a, e, i, o, u, au, ei, eu, sch, ch, r (with examples).
Grammar that actually helps beginners
Focus on a few powerful patterns: basic word order (subject–verb–object), yes/no questions (Verb zuerst), W-questions (Wo, Was, Wie), present tense verbs (sein, haben, regular verbs), and the nominative vs. accusative step for der/die/das. Learn one pattern, then practice with 5–10 sentences.
Use a quick-reference pdf: articles, cases, and common verb tables. Do not memorize everything at once. Learn the rule, then apply it to words you already know. If a rule feels big, break it into one tiny step per day.
- Core patterns: Ich wohne in..., Hast du...? Wo ist...?
- Mini case step: Ich habe einen Kaffee (accusative masculine).
- Keep a one-page pdf cheat sheet: articles, cases, top 30 verbs.
Practice listening and speaking every day
You can practice speaking even when you study alone. Use shadowing: play a slow clip, repeat it line by line, then retell the idea in your own words. Record yourself for one minute and compare with the model. It is fine to sound imperfect at first.
For listening, choose short, clear content made for beginners. Subtitles and transcripts help you connect sounds to text. Free online courses and video series for A1–A2 are perfect because they grow step by step.
- Shadow a dialogue for 5 minutes; then say it without looking.
- Do a 1-minute voice memo: introduce yourself, your day, your city.
- Try a free online course episode daily; repeat hard parts twice.
Read, write, and track your progress
Reading boosts vocabulary fast. Use graded texts, simple news, or dialogues from beginner materials. Read once for meaning, once out loud, and once to mark useful phrases. For writing, keep a tiny journal in german: 3–5 sentences about your day.
Track progress weekly. Recycle tough words, review grammar with a pdf worksheet, and do a short self-test. If something feels too hard, shrink it: shorter texts, fewer new words, slower audio. Steady beats perfect.
- Read 1 short text (100–150 words) and highlight 8 useful phrases.
- Write 5 sentences using this week’s grammar step; get feedback if possible.
- Print a free A1–A2 pdf checklist to tick off topics as you learn them.
FAQ
- How many minutes should I study each day?
- Aim for 15–30 minutes daily. Split it into vocabulary, a small grammar step, and speaking or listening. Consistency beats long sessions.
- Can I learn german for free without a paid course?
- Yes. Combine free online videos, beginner podcasts, pdf cheat sheets, and language exchanges. A structured course helps, but a simple plan works too.
- What free pdfs are best for beginners?
- Look for A1 word lists, verb tables, case charts, and short worksheets with answer keys. One-page summaries are ideal for quick reviews.
- How do I practice speaking by myself?
- Shadow short clips, record 1-minute monologues, and read dialogues out loud. Add a weekly language exchange or speaking partner if you can.
- How long to reach A2 level?
- With 20–30 minutes daily, many learners reach A2 in 3–6 months. Keep it step by step: build vocabulary, master key patterns, and speak every day.