Преподаватель немецкого языка советует иностранцам в Германии перестать бояться ошибок и начать говорить

For many foreigners in Germany, the most frustrating part of learning the language is not understanding but speaking. Many people spend months and sometimes years studying grammar tables, memorising vocabulary and attending classes, only to find themselves seizing up at the Bürgeramt, in a doctor’s surgery or during a workplace meeting. Arguably, that challenge has become even harder as the German government reduces access to many state-funded integration courses, leaving newcomers searching for alternative ways to improve their language skills. It’s also a problem Berlin-based German teacher Stefanie Weinberger knows well. Over the past decade, Weinberger has built an audience of almost three million followers through her LerneDeutsch content on Instagram, TikTok and other platforms, helping learners get to grips with what is often seen as one of Europe's more demanding languages. More recently, she has also explored how AI might help learners practise speaking more regularly. So how can learners bridge the gap between understanding German and using it confidently in everyday life? READ ALSO: 'Make effort early' - Foreigners share how much German you need to live in Germany Prepare conversations before they happen Many learners treat conversations as tests. Weinberger suggests treating them more like presentations. Rather than arriving at a bakery or a doctor's appointment and just hoping for the best, she recommends preparing in advance for the situations you're likely to encounter. "If you're going to a bakery, then have sentences ready for the different kinds of scenarios you might face there." That doesn't mean memorising entire conversations but thinking ahead about what you want to say and what somebody might ask in return. The less mental energy you spend constructing sentences on the spot, the more confidence you're likely to have when the conversation actually begins. READ ALSO: LISTED - The best free websites and apps for German language learners Learn sentence clusters, not individual words Many language learners spend huge amounts of time building vocabulary lists. According to Weinberger, this can sometimes be less helpful than learning complete phrases that can be recalled automatically. "Don't just learn words but have whole sentences you can basically call up from your memory," she said. The aim is to reduce the amount of real-time translation happening inside your head. Prepare for misunderstandings Many people become anxious the moment they fail to understand part of what somebody says and Weinberger believes that learners should prepare for this scenario as well. Having simple phrases ready, such as asking somebody to repeat themselves, slow down or explain something differently, can prevent a small misunderstanding from turning into panic. The same principle applies when Germans switch into English. This is usually intended as a kindness rather than a criticism of someone's German. But learners who want more speaking practice may find it useful to prepare a polite response in advance. A simple "Können wir Deutsch sprechen?" can often be enough to keep the conversation going. Don't worry about your mistakes For Weinberger, one of the biggest barriers to fluency is not grammar, vocabulary or pronunciation. It's fear. Many learners delay speaking because they want to avoid making mistakes. Unfortunately, that often prevents them from getting the practice they need to improve. "If you want to learn a language, you have to make mistakes in order to improve," she said. While the advice may sound obvious, it runs counter to the way many adults approach language learning. Children learning their first language constantly make mistakes. Adults often put too much pressure on themselves to get everything right. Weinberger argues that progress comes from accepting imperfections rather than trying to eliminate them. READ ALSO: German phrase of the day - Eierlegende Wollmilchsau Learn things that genuinely interest you Many language courses focus on pre-determined topics chosen by teachers or textbook writers. While those topics can be useful, Weinberger believes learners are often more successful when they begin with subjects they actually care about. "If you're into football, start there," she suggested. "Don't just study what you need, study what you like." The logic is simple. People spend more time engaging with topics they enjoy. Whether that means football, cooking, gaming, gardening or politics, focusing on personal interests can make speaking practice feel less like homework and more like a real conversation. It also prepares learners for the kinds of discussions they're most likely to have in everyday life. READ ALSO: Five things to say instead of 'bitte' when someone thanks you in German Actively look for opportunities to speak As useful as the above strategies are, they all rely on opportunities to actually use German. And that's often where learners run into another obstacle. Private lessons can be expensive, group classes limit speaking time and many newcomers simply don’t have enough opportunities to practise regularly. That's one reason why Weinberger believes AI can be useful. While she doesn't see technology as a replacement for teachers or real-life interaction, she believes it can help learners rehearse conversations, build confidence and practise speaking more often – especially when paired with a clear learning structure. Recalling a former student who worked as a nurse, she also noted that an AI tutor could incorporate specialist knowledge and terminology which an individual language teacher might not possess. But – whether learners practise with friends, colleagues, tutors or technology – the goal is the same: finding more opportunities to speak. Or as Weinberger puts it: "People think another grammar rule can help them finally start speaking. But in order to speak, you have to actually speak." READ ALSO: Will I ever pronounce German words like a native speaker?