How to Learn German with BabelNation

Learning German can be a rewarding experience. Once you have learned German, you will be able to navigate German-speaking nations with ease and gain unique insights into the culture. The Internet has many resources to help you in your language studies, including the web site BabelNation. BabelNation's well-structured courses will put your German studies on the right foot. Their web site offers free online exercises and exams so you can test your knowledge. There is also a German forum where you can discuss your studies with other German-language students.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Computer Internet connection Soundcard and Speakers Optional

1. Go to babelnation.com and click on the link "Online German Lessons." At the top of the German Language page you will see links for "Courses," "Exams," "Dictionary," and "Forum."

2. Create a username and password by clicking on the "Register" link on the top right-hand side of the page. A username is not necessary to take the courses, but you will need it to take the exams or post in the forums.

3. Start with "Course 1: German for Beginners" by clicking on the "Courses" link. There are 7 lessons in the course. Start with "Lesson 1: Getting Started" by clicking on the link.

4. Read through the German lesson pages then click on the "Vocabularies" tab. Try committing the vocabulary to memory. Click on the "Exercises" tab to practice using your new vocabulary.

5. Proceed to "Lesson 2: Describing Yourself and Others" when you feel you have mastered the first German lesson. There is no exam for the first lesson, but Lessons 2-7 do have exams. Test your knowledge by clicking on the "Exams" link at the top of the page.

6. Continue with each lesson, taking the appropriate exam at the end of each lesson. If you do not score well on the exam, return to the lesson and study the content again.

Tips & Warnings

• Pronunciation is an important part of learning a language. If your computer has audio, be sure to click on the arrows in the "Vocabularies" section to hear correct German pronunciation. Do not rush through the courses. Everybody learns at his or her own speed and you will have to pace the courses to suit your own needs. You can find help and encouragement on the forums.

References

• BabelNation