Learning German — Useful Web Resources

Introduction

Some people learn a foreign language with only one-way communication in mind. They may simply wish to read books or watch movies or view newscasts in the language. But most students aspire to some sort of two-way communication, either straightaway or on some future trip to the foreign land.

Regardless of the motivation, the learning experience is certainly enhanced by having a connection with a native speaker of the language being studied. Failing that, a connection with place can supply a fascinating, educational and rewarding experience. Or one could have a connection based on a hobby or field of interest.

You don’t have any connection as yet with a place in Germany? Create one!

Berlin is obviously a great choice, but you might even consider sticking the proverbial pin in a random place on the map of Germany. Or you might focus on a particular river. Then you use the Internet to get to know your chosen place in all its exotic detail. Find a map of it, locate points of interest (bookshops or art galleries or parks, for example), read the local newspaper, explore the local museums (plenty of those in Germany!). Unearth the geography, revisit the history, inspect the local industries. Become a virtual tourist — or a virtual resident!

Then become adventurous and spread your wings. Choose another place. How would you get from A to B? What might you expect to see en route? Where would you stay? How would you make all the bookings?

You could of course do this whole connection business in English, but you really want to do it in German, don’t you? This is where this list of links comes into play. You will note that we are here using the German-language versions of, among other sites, Startpage (a privacy-respecting search engine) and Wikipedia. The list is meant to be suggestive, not exhaustive. It includes some sites that are particular favorites of mine, but I could have added many more. (Of course, the responsibility is all yours if you do business with any of them or rely on any information they contain. I have not necessarily had personal experience of each of the businesses mentioned.) Some links will prove useful during a sojourn in Germany. But use the links as starting points for your own explorations. For example, don’t just peruse the Wikipedia article on a particular place: find that place’s own Websites.

Inevitably you will find yourself going for the dictionary from time to time, but don’t get too bogged down in the finer points of the language here. This is not the classroom: this is play! Viel Spaß!