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German is a West Germanic language, thus related to and classified alongside English and Dutch. It is one of the world's major languages and the most widely spoken mother tongue in the European Union. Around the world, German is spoken by approximately 105 million native speakers and also by about 80 million non-native speakers. Standard German is widely taught in schools, universities and Goethe Institutes worldwide.
German is spoken primarily in Germany (first language for more than 95% of the population), Austria (89%) and Switzerland (65%). The majority of the small population of Liechtenstein also speaks German.

Other European German-speaking communities are found in Northern Italy (Bolzano-Bozen), in the East Cantons of Belgium, in the French Alsace region which often was traded between Germany and France in history and in some border villages of the former South Jutland County (in German, Nordschleswig, in Danish, Sønderjylland) of Denmark.

Michel Thomas ( by Michel Thomas)

No memorizing, no text books, no drills, no homework!

Another excellent course from the Michel Thomas range. By the time you reach advanced you are speaking German! For German there is a complete series from Introductory (taster) to Foundation (beginners), Advanced, Language Builders (Vocabulary) and a second vocabulary course. This is not parrot learning of phrases but actually learning structure and formulating your own sentences! Michel Thomas is especially suited to those who struggle with language learning. He makes it so easy! The courses are all audio. Please also look at the reviews others have given.

Assimil German With Ease ( by Assimil)

Assimil has a glowing reputation for language learning based on their simple two fold approach. The first stage is known as "Passive Learning" which requires you to listen to the lesson, say it aloud (or to yourself) so you get pronunciation right and then to follow it again using the translation conveniently written directly opposite. The second stage is called "Active Phase" and starts approximately half way thorough the book. At this time you carry on doing the Passive phase (daily) then you revert back to the first lesson and translate it yourself without looking at the translation. It is more effective if you approach this as a written exercise rather than trying to recall it in your mind only. Then you do your next passive lesson and go to the second lesson of the book to translate and so on.... Don't worry, though, the instructions are clear and you won't go wrong. You need to do one lesson a day (also a translation when you reach that second stage which adds another half an hour). The dialogues are expertly written and played out by professional voice actors of the country. They are lively and humorous and keep your interest. The lessons are ordered so you build gradually on what you have learnt. Don't be tempted to do more than one lesson a day, there is a reason why its "little and often" so to maximise your learning capability and keep you excited to continue.. This is an approach that will take at least 6 months to complete and by then you will acquire a level of understanding comparable to B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. The lessons/stories are different for each language.

Complete German( by Paul Coggle)

Following hot on the heels of of Assimil is this completely revised and user friendly pack for learning German to B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. This is a more traditional learning process rather than the mainly "intuitive" learning you get with Assimils'

The thematic approach is much in line with traditional language learning and does cover the subject in depth and more importantly progressively so you can see progress being made. Each unit starts with a "Statement of Aims" and completes the section by

a) Presenting the language

b) Practicing it

c) Description of language forms: For producing your own sentences

d) Pronunciation and Intonation

e) Information on German People and German Life

It is essential to buy have the CD's that go with the course to get the language practice and work through the book since a lot of the exercises are listening and commenting. Its a very bad idea to try and learn a language without hearing it!

A very enjoyable course indeed and a great improvement on the older versions. Extremely well taught and presented. We recommend that you follow only one unit a week and really absorb it ! There are 25 units in total so will take 25 weeks to complete. Level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages compares to a very good A Level.

Rocket German ( by Paul Weber)

Rocket German is another well balanced course teaching German in fun and coherent way. German is a popular language with over 105 million speakers. Often perceived as a very masculine language its one you either love or hate! Our female reviewer loved it though and likes to show it off at every opportunity! There is plenty of audio and the software based learning is well set out.

Time: Course specifies 8 weeks for a good grasp of German. Our reviewer met this target quite easily and she still won't stop talking!!. If you are not sure sign up for their FREE 6 Day Course. This is only the first few audio lessons.


	*Tell Me More*
	Tell Me More is a revolutionary new approach to language learning. The German language course has over 10 Levels with 250 hours of learning, 1200 exercises and 3 hours of video role playing where you get to dub your voice over a character in films. Tell Me More will allow you to achieve fluency in the German language and its not hard work but really great fun. Its very difficult to tear yourself away from it! This will last you a long long time but its an enjoyable way to learn. New Version 10 coming November 09


	Berlitz (AvanQuest)
	At first we were quite amazed at the sheer amount of teaching material in this package. Berlitz Premier German covers three levels of teaching (Beginner/Intermediate/Advanced) mainly through a succession of videos with native speakers conversing in typical surroundings. The same types of conversations you would hear on the streets of Germany. The course starts with basic conversations and gradually increase speed and vocabulary while reinforcing the learning in you through quizzes and games. Its very interesting and engaging and will keep you hooked for months! This is one of the best value for money packages we have seen and have awarded it 5 stars.

Pimsleur ( by Paul Pimsleur)

Pimsleur start you off immediately speaking German and listening to it to respond. These courses are truly excellent but they are expensive and you may not be suited to this way of learning. These are all audio courses and teach conversational German, by using them for 30 minutes each day. There are 3 levels and each level comprises of 30 half hour length lessons, each level building on the previous one. No explanations regarding verb conjugations though but there is an English speaking host who guides, prompts and gives you not much more than word meanings. However it is an extremely effective method and has been used extensively within Govt and educational establishments. The price is however quite high ~$300 per level. You can read about the method here

	Rosetta Stone ( by Rosetta Stone)
	A nice fun way to learn German in the same way you learnt your own language. Total immersion is the name of the game and its works and works well, if you can afford it! As before there is no translations or explanations and you learn by intuition and association, matching words or sentences to pictures. You will definitely need a bi-lingual dictionary and preferably a basic verb book. Its actually quite an enjoyable experience but expensive. This is why we have given it 4 stars.

Earworms ( by Marlon Lodge)

This is a very simple idea that makes learning German fun and easy. Its an English man conversing with a German woman and asking her how to say things in German. All the time there is a rhythmic sound/beat going on to her syllables which is designed to stick in your mind rather like a catchy song. The vocabulary being taught is basic but essential and is a relaxing experience. You don't need to make any real conscious effort as your brain is absorbing it through the beats. There are two cd's in the German range and you can listen to samples by clicking the pictures on the left. Overall a fun and enjoyable experience, reasonably priced and it works! But only for basic survival skills. Product shown is complete set (1&2)

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