Learn to Speak German at Home | Step-by-Step Guide to Speaking German

Would you like to speak German fluently?

Would you like to speak German fluently?

If your answer is “Yes,” then I’m excited to share my knowledge with you!

Helping others learn German is my passion and specialty.

In this article, I’ll introduce you to an effective learning technique that you can use to improve your German speaking skills—even on your own.

With this technique, I’ll show you the best way to practice and master speaking German independently.

If you find this technique helpful, feel free to subscribe to my free German course and download one of my audio stories to try it out for yourself.

What You Don’t Need:

• No expensive language schools
• No costly tutors
• No conversation partners

You can practice German at home or even on the go—whenever and wherever it suits you.

But before we dive into the learning technique, let me share three essential prerequisites for successful self-study.

Three Essential Rules for Learning to Speak German at Home

Rule 1: Practice in Small Portions Every Day

Consistency is key when learning anything new.

You’ve probably heard the phrase, “Skill comes with practice.” This holds true whether you’re learning a musical instrument, taking up a sport, or even mastering knitting—progress only comes with regular effort.

Learning German is no different. The more often you practice, the faster you’ll improve!

But here’s a crucial tip: Learning in small, regular portions is far more effective than cramming for several hours on the weekend.

• Studying for 30 minutes twice a day adds up to 7 hours a week.
• Studying for 7 hours straight on one day doesn’t deliver the same results.

Why?

Spaced-out practice helps your brain process and retain information more effectively. Make German a part of your daily routine, and you’ll see significant progress in no time!

Rule 2: Have Fun Speaking German

For many, learning a language often feels like hard work—full of effort, stress, and even anxiety.

But why does learning feel this way?

For most, it stems from negative experiences in school. Speaking German in front of the entire class can be intimidating. You’re afraid of making mistakes and embarrassing yourself. Plus, the pressure to study for grades often makes learning feel like a chore, not an enjoyable activity.

However, it doesn’t have to be this way! When you discover a way to learn that’s enjoyable, something magical happens: You stop realizing that you’re learning because you’re simply having fun. This is the most effective form of learning.

Enjoyment leads to regular practice, and regular practice leads to success. So, make speaking German a fun part of your day, and you’ll find yourself improving faster than you ever thought possible!

Rule 3: Never Give Up!

When studying at home without a teacher, it’s easy to lose track and feel like you’re not making any progress. This can be a dangerous time, as many learners give up at this point. They feel discouraged and think their efforts aren’t paying off.

But this feeling is deceptive!

If you study German every day, you will improve—this is a fact. So, don’t let temporary frustration stop you. Keep going, and you’ll notice that the feeling of being stuck eventually disappears.

By following the three rules above, you’ve already made it halfway to success.

For a comprehensive guide on the best ways to learn German online, check out the main page with all my tips and lessons.

Learning Technique to Improve Your German Speaking

Let’s move on to the learning technique. After all, I promised to show you how to speak German easily, right?

There are some basic concepts for learning foreign languages:

• If you want to improve your reading comprehension,
  → then you have to read a lot
• If you want to improve your listening comprehension,
  → then you have to listen a lot
• If you want to improve your German speaking,
  → then you have to speak a lot

This might sound logical and straightforward, but only a few people stick to it.

If I ask why they don’t speak much, I often get these answers:

• I don’t have anyone to talk to.
• I only speak German when I have to. I’m afraid of making mistakes, so I don’t dare to speak in front of others.

Of course, I understand that! And I’m pleased to tell you that there is a solution!

There is a learning technique that you can easily apply.

It will help you learn to speak German, and you won’t need a teacher or a conversation partner.

You can practice on your own, at home, where no one hears you.

That means you don’t have to worry about making mistakes.

This technique is called the Question and Answer Technique.

How to Speak German with the Question and Answer Technique

This technique was developed to simulate entertaining and practical speaking in a foreign language! It consists of 4 steps. The first three steps set the foundation. Step 4 specifically improves your speaking skills.

Step 1: Reading

First, read a text in German. This text is also available with a translation to help you understand its meaning. Read the text a few times and refer to the translation until you understand about 80% of it.

Step 2: Reading and Listening at the Same Time

The text is also recorded. Once you understand the text up to 80% when reading it (Step 1), start listening to it simultaneously. By reading and listening at the same time, you deepen your understanding from Step 1. Repeat this step a few times. Repetition is key in the learning process!

Step 3: Only Listening

After a few repetitions of reading and listening at the same time, put the text away. Now, try listening to the audio without reading the text. If you don’t understand 80% of the audio, return to Step 2.

Step 4: Speaking (Answering Out Loud)

Steps 1-3 prepare you for Step 4. By now, you should understand most of the recording. It’s time to apply the special Question and Answer Technique. You’ll be asked specific questions about the text. These questions are available as both text and audio. Read and listen to them, then try answering during the provided pauses.

Please always answer out loud! This is very important!

By answering loudly, this exercise becomes like a simulated conversation. The best part? You can learn to speak German without a conversation partner.

• You can practice from home.
• You can practice anytime, day or night, whenever you have a few spare minutes.
• You don’t have to worry about making mistakes because no one hears you.

Even if your answers are incorrect or you make mistakes, it doesn’t matter. Shortly after you answer, you’ll hear the correct response in the recording. If you repeat the Question and Answer section a few times, you’ll begin to respond correctly—and only the correct answers will be stored in your long-term memory.

Isn’t this great? Now you know how to learn German speaking at home!

Now It’s Up to You!

Enroll in my free email course below and start learning German the fun way.

If you’d like to understand exactly how the Question and Answer Technique works, I highly recommend signing up for my email course.

In it, I explain my 7 rules for mastering German, and this technique is covered in detail in Rule No. 5.

Lucas Kern