After six months of daily morning German courses, I appreciated the structured approach: new grammar, exercises, reading, writing, and speaking practice all combined with professional feedback. Despite this, I encountered an apparent problem—the course content was too narrowly focused. The content revolved around workplace scenarios, such as applying for jobs, getting injured at work, or quitting jobs. Though practical, the sheer repetition of these topics for 4–5 hours a day was both limiting and disengaging, especially since my goal extended beyond merely passing the final exam.
Building the System
I realized that if I wanted to stay motivated and reach a higher level of fluency, I needed to diversify my learning resources and build a system that worked for me. One of the most effective solutions was to create a support group with like-minded classmates who shared similar goals. Together, we agreed to dedicate additional hours outside of class to reading and watching materials that aligned more with our personal interests.
This was crucial in keeping each other accountable and motivated. Each week, we’d meet to discuss articles from Spiegel Coaching or documentaries from DW, ARTE, or ARD or podcasts on various topics. This collaborative approach forced me to digest the material deeply, so I could contribute meaningfully to our discussions.
In addition to our group sessions, I incorporated media consumption into my daily routine. I began watching Tagesschau every day and listening to various podcasts while exercising, shopping, and cooking. Starting at the B1 level, I could initially grasp only the general ideas of the topics. Whenever I encountered frequently mentioned words I didn’t know, I wrote them down for later study. As my vocabulary grew, so did my understanding.
Listening proved invaluable—not only did it expose me to correct pronunciation and the natural melody and rhythm of the language, but it also introduced me to real-world expressions and idioms. This exposure helped me better understand vocabulary in the context of special themes and grasp nuances that might be lost in the rapid exchange of everyday dialogue.
Reading for Variety
During a two-week break in the course, I didn’t want to lose my momentum. So I decided to keep up my German study routine by diving into books. I began with children's books, but they did not capture my interest - I felt too old for those! So I quickly transitioned to young adults books and eventually explored non-fiction and essays. Once the break ended, I had to get creative to secure my reading time. I started taking a book with me to the gym, where the sauna provided a perfect distraction-free environment. Since electronic devices were forbidden there, it allowed me a solid half-hour of uninterrupted reading every day.
As I read, I would underline unfamiliar words and highlight important concepts. Though my plan was to revisit these notes later for more in-depth study, time constraints eventually prevented me from going over the material again. Nevertheless, this practice helped me significantly improve my reading speed —from needing a full day to finish a 215-page young adult novel to being able to read a similar number of pages from a dense philosophy book. Considering that the young adult novels contain an average of 252 words per page and philosophy books have around 308 words, this means I could read about 22% faster.
Reading didn’t just boost my reading speed—it also opened my eyes to aspects of German society. One essay, for example, was written by a second-generation butcher’s son and explored the shift in generational values. This resonated with me, especially considering Korea’s own history of war and economic transformation. The connection made it feel personal. Another book, authored by a former homeless man, helped me comprehend the social issues that Germany has faced, obstacles faced by certain individuals, as well as the hidden sides of assistance the German government provides to them.
Intensive Reading & Listening
In some cases, especially when preparing for study group discussions, I read more intensively. I marked every unfamiliar word and studied them, using colored markers to highlight key ideas. If the topic was particularly relevant, I would even write a summary. The same applied to intensive listening or watching. I often revisited the material, created transcripts, and used AI tools to generate subtitles, comparing them with my notes to ensure accuracy.