Jeff Bursey
Novels
Stories
Essays
& reviews

Editing
Other work
List of works
about Jeff Bursey
an interview

All about books for learning German

24 September, 2024

Jeff Bursey
Novels
Stories
Essays
& reviews

Editing
Other work
List of works
about Jeff Bursey
an interview

Books provide a framework for German study. They offer self-paced research, one of the most influential and proven ways to improve language abilities.

However, reading should be supplemented with other learning techniques. 1-on-1 coaching lets you practise speaking, receive rapid feedback, and understand workbook concepts. You can book a 1-on-1 lesson with an online German teacher at https://livexp.com/skills/german.

Reading a German book is daunting. Their difficulty makes them less relaxing than reading in your language. Therefore, select one that is within your grasp. 

Top books for learners of German by user's view

  1. Die unendliche Geschichte by Michael Ende and Roswitha Quadflieg. Published in 1979.
  2. Tschick by Wolfgang Herrndorf. Published in 2010.
  3. Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse. Published in 1971.
  4. Der Besuch der alten Dame by Friedrich Dürrenmatt. Published in 1980.
  5. Schönhauser Allee by Vladimir Kaminer.

Audiobooks for learning German

Deutsche Welle contains several beginner German tales for different language levels. Mission Berlin is fantastic for novices, while Harry –gefangen in der Zeit is amusing later on. Deutsche Welle's sluggish German news might help update your vocabulary.

Tips for reading in German

  • Start a book and read it from beginning to finish without using the dictionary. First, don't worry about understanding every word; focus on the big picture. Try breaking up significant chapters in a book you're reading.
  • After reading the first chapter, review, assess your comprehension, and provide a summary.
  • Reread the first chapter. Check any key terms; otherwise, read the tale as you did the first time. You may learn something from context and gain confidence.
  • When you finish the chapter again, take more notes. Maybe you caught some information you missed before.
  • Reread the passage, highlighting unfamiliar words, but don't overdo it. It's not required to know every word to grasp the narrative. Focus on story-relevant terminology and avoid irrelevant stuff. Keep reading and become immersed in the narrative.