![](\"https:\/\/liveworkgermany.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/f270737ab845defa452911f8cddcae35.png\")
<\/a>[\/et_pb_code][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” _builder_version=”4.0.11″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” width=”100%” custom_padding=”3vw||||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”0px||||false|false”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Intro” _builder_version=”4.5.7″ text_orientation=”justified” z_index_tablet=”500″ text_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” text_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” text_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” link_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” link_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” link_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” ul_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” ul_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” ul_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” ol_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” ol_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” ol_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” quote_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” quote_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” quote_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_2_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_2_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_2_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_3_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_3_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_3_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_4_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_4_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_4_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_5_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_5_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_5_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_6_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_6_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_6_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_tablet=”0px”]<\/p>\nMany people think that they can learn a language and become fluent simply by using an app.<\/p>\n
Sadly, this is a myth.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Now, I\u2019m definitely not here to bad mouth Duolingo, or indeed any other German language learning apps. <\/strong><\/p>\n However, we need to do a bit of a reality check. Don’t expect too much from a simple app that costs nothing, or maybe just a few Euros, to download. They\u2019re a great way to get started with learning a language, don’t get me wrong. But what I\u2019m going to debunk here is the myth that doing a few exercises in an app each day will lead you to language fluency.<\/p>\n Spoiler alert: I’m afraid it won’t. Learning a language is hard work, and is a long-term goal.<\/p>\n We\u2019ll look at a few different angles here, so if you want to navigate between them, just use the links below.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.0.7″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” width=”100%”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Index” _builder_version=”4.5.7″ background_color=”#e8e8e8″ text_orientation=”justified” custom_padding=”30px|30px|30px|30px|true|true” z_index_tablet=”500″ text_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” text_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” text_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” link_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” link_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” link_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” ul_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” ul_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” ul_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” ol_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” ol_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” ol_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” quote_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” quote_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” quote_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_2_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_2_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_2_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_3_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_3_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_3_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_4_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_4_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_4_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_5_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_5_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_5_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_6_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_6_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_6_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_tablet=”0px”]<\/p>\n What are the positives of using language apps?<\/a> [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.2.2″][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/liveworkgermany.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/paid-banners-Q1-affiliate-515×280-eur.jpg” url=”https:\/\/go.nordvpn.net\/aff_c?offer_id=15&aff_id=35853&url_id=902″ url_new_window=”on” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.4.2″][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row module_id=”great” _builder_version=”4.0.11″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” width=”100%”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Great to get started” _builder_version=”4.5.7″ text_orientation=”justified” z_index_tablet=”500″ text_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” text_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” text_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” link_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” link_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” link_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” ul_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” ul_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” ul_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” ol_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” ol_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” ol_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” quote_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” quote_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” quote_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_2_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_2_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_2_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_3_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_3_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_3_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_4_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_4_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_4_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_5_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_5_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_5_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_6_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_6_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_6_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_tablet=”0px”]<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Learning German via an app is a fantastic, cheap and accessible way to get started on your journey. You don\u2019t need access to native speakers to learn German via an app.<\/p>\n Because apps are interactive and have been designed and programmed cleverly to give us a pleasant user experience, it requires much less discipline to learn a language this way than using ye olde<\/em> method of studying with a book, or cassettes, or CDs to try to teach yourself.<\/p>\n Plus, they\u2019re on your smartphone, which these days most people are rarely separated from throughout their day.<\/p>\n Apps also enable interactive learning by offering quizzes, set learning patterns we can undertake each day, as well as tailoring the experience depending on how many minutes, or modules, we wish to study each day.<\/p>\n There are also lots of different types of apps<\/a> to help us with our language learning experience.<\/p>\n These can range from:<\/p>\n I do genuinely think that German language learning apps (when combined with other learning methods alongside them) are better than classroom tuition for absolute beginners.<\/p>\n They allow self-paced learning in small chunks, at a time convenient to the user. When you\u2019re just getting started, this is important to maintain momentum and form a habit.<\/p>\n 10-15 minutes learning a day is scientifically proven to be better than 1 hour a week, crammed into one session. I won\u2019t go into the science here, but check out James Clear\u2019s \u201cAtomic Habits\u201d or Charles Duhigg\u2019s \u201cThe Power of Habit\u201d if this interests you.<\/p>\n It\u2019s easy to skip class when it\u2019s snowing, or if your kid\u2019s sick, or if there\u2019s a work social that evening. Whereas 10-15 minutes learning on an App whilst sat on the train, or, erm, even on the toilet (!) is harder to make excuses to skip.<\/p>\n You can fit it around your busy day to suit you.\u00a0That\u2019s the good news.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row module_id=”limitation” _builder_version=”4.0.11″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” width=”100%”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”The limitations of German language learning Apps” _builder_version=”4.5.7″ text_orientation=”justified” z_index_tablet=”500″ text_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” text_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” text_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” link_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” link_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” link_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” ul_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” ul_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” ul_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” ol_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” ol_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” ol_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” quote_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” quote_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” quote_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_2_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_2_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_2_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_3_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_3_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_3_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_4_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_4_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_4_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_5_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_5_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_5_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_6_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_6_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_6_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_tablet=”0px”]<\/p>\n Where apps can reach their limits is when you start to move out of absolute beginner territory and need to develop other skills.<\/p>\n There are 4 key elements to language learning. Learning German is no exception here.<\/p>\n Grammar exercises fall into all 4 of these – but predominantly would be categorised into writing and speaking.<\/p>\n Apps tend to overwhelmingly concentrate on simple grammar exercises and vocabulary training.<\/p>\n Both of these are vitally important, but they tend to miss the 2 key aspects of gaining practical language proficiency quickly: Speaking and listening to native speakers in actual, real life situations.<\/p>\n Even apps which do have speaking and listening incorporated into them, for example MosaLingua, tend to only offer the option to listen to a phrase recorded by a native speaker and then repeat it back.<\/p>\n It doesn\u2019t give any contextual application of the spoken word. It doesn\u2019t prepare you for regional accents. It doesn\u2019t prepare you for the language spoken by native speakers, aimed at native speakers.<\/p>\n Practical examples of this are train station announcements, or interactions with German bureaucrats<\/a> at places like the Ausl\u00e4nderbeh\u00f6rde, or having to call your landlord because you have a blocked sink.<\/p>\n These are classic situations that you\u2019re likely to find yourself in at some point. And let’s be absolutely clear. An app is going to be useless in preparing you for these.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row module_id=”mitigation” _builder_version=”4.0.11″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” width=”100%”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”What you can do to mitigate” _builder_version=”4.5.7″ text_orientation=”justified” z_index_tablet=”500″ text_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” text_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” text_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” link_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” link_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” link_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” ul_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” ul_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” ul_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” ol_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” ol_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” ol_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” quote_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” quote_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” quote_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_2_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_2_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_2_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_3_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_3_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_3_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_4_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_4_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_4_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_5_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_5_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_5_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_6_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_6_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_6_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_tablet=”0px”]<\/p>\n OK, so using a German language learning app should definitely be a part<\/strong> of your strategy. I’d say you could probably reach A2 level German through disciplined, daily practice through an app.<\/p>\n You might even be pushing B1 in certain aspects such as grammar and reading comprehension.<\/p>\n What it\u2019s not going to do is give you a well-rounded exposure to all aspects of learning a language, nor is it going to give you the impetus or push to go out and gain fluency.<\/p>\n There are 3 main reasons for this:<\/p>\n Apps, as we mentioned, only really cover 2 aspects of language learning, reading and writing.<\/p>\n To bridge this deficit, you can easily get practice with listening comprehension through podcasts and YouTube videos. These, together with using a German language learning app, can realistically get you up to intermediate level with the right amount of focus, and perhaps with someone who speaks the language to help correct your mistakes.<\/p>\n Add to this some kind of speaking practice, which is absolutely essential as well. Speaking is what really moves the needle. If your grasp of grammar is excellent but you\u2019re too scared to open your mouth, that\u2019s not going to get you very far when you live in Germany and need to use the language for day-to-day practicalities.<\/p>\n If the thought of speaking a foreign language keeps you awake at night in a cold sweat, then I\u2019m afraid you\u2019re going to have to find a way to overcome it.<\/p>\n The answer to this is practice through a safe space where you can gently ease yourself into it. This will give you the confidence to tackle an unhelpful bureaucrat or calling your internet service provider\u2019s customer support line.<\/p>\n Getting a tutor via online platform italki<\/a> is a great, inexpensive option if you want to have a regular check-in with a native speaker to help you have conversations without feeling stupid, or to correct or broaden your understanding of grammatical concepts or idiomatic phrases.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.4.2″][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/liveworkgermany.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/image007.png” url=”https:\/\/www.worldwidemoving.co.uk\/?so=a&ca=19186″ url_new_window=”on” align=”center” admin_label=”Ad Sirelo” _builder_version=”4.4.2″][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row module_id=”invest” _builder_version=”4.0.11″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” width=”100%”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Investing in yourself” _builder_version=”4.0.11″ text_orientation=”justified” z_index_tablet=”500″ text_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” text_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” text_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” link_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” link_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” link_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” ul_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” ul_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” ul_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” ol_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” ol_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” ol_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” quote_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” quote_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” quote_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_2_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_2_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_2_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_3_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_3_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_3_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_4_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_4_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_4_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_5_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_5_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_5_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_6_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_6_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_6_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_tablet=”0px”]<\/p>\n So, you\u2019ve looked into podcasts and YouTube for listening comprehension, and having a tandem partner or online tutor to help you improve your speaking.<\/p>\n Great!<\/p>\n Now it\u2019s time to tackle the last one: Accountability<\/p>\n You see, you need to have a motive, a push factor, a reason to succeed, in order to move from intermediate to fluent.<\/p>\n That may the ability to communicate with your German in-laws, or being considered for a promotion at work which involves managing German team members. They are good enough incentives usually in themselves.<\/p>\n But what if you don\u2019t have these?<\/p>\n The only way to push yourself is to have some financial skin in the game by investing in a language class<\/a>, or as an alternative, an online course<\/a>.<\/p>\n Some people learn better through community and having peers around them. If that\u2019s you, then take a language course. And that doesn\u2019t have to be in person if there\u2019s not one in your local area, or for those of you who are still planning your move to Germany.<\/p>\n
Some of their limitations<\/a>
How to mitigate these limitations<\/a>
Why investing in yourself is the only true way to fluency<\/a><\/p>\nUsing German Language Learning Apps is a Great Way to get Started<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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The limitations of using a German language learning App<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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What you can do to mitigate<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Investing in yourself is the only way to have skin in the game<\/strong><\/h3>\n