How hard is it to learn to speak German fluently?
October 19, 2008 by Admin - LearnGermanLanguage.org · 5 Comments
How hard is it to learn to speak German fluently? Im American, and 14yrs old and Im very interested in the German culture. So Im wondering how hard it is to learn German fluently. Im sure that the learning experience [I couldn't think of the proper word?] is different for anyone, but Im asking in general. Thank you
German is NOT similar to French or Spanish. That’s not to say that learning these languages doesn’t pose it’s own problems, but German’s problems are different. For me the hardest part is what’s called declension. Basically what that means is that any article or adjective changes depending on the type of modifier, how it’s used, and the noun’s gender.
For example, you say:
Das ist ein Mann. = That is a man.
Ich kenne einen Mann. = I know a man.
Ich gebe einem Mann den Ball. = I’m giving a man the ball.
Though it’s easy to memorize these case changes, it’s very difficult for me at least to internalize them, which you need for fluency. You don’t have time to sit and think.
Fluency in any language is a lot of work. A whole lot more work than you could ever realize. Think about how long it took you to learn English so that you could ever really carry on a conversation… Probably at least 10 to 15 years. And you had the advantage of being immersed in the language 100% of your life.
Good luck. Or should I say, Viel Glueck!?
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