6 Best Books to Learn German: Reading for Ravenous Language Learners
1. “The Everything Learning German Book: Speak, Write and Understand Basic German in No Time” by Ed Swick
“The Everything Learning German Book” is for the basic German learner who
wants to fluently ask about the beer selection at Oktoberfest. Learn simple
phrases like Wie
viel kostet der Käse? (How much does the cheese cost?) or Ich
möchte ein Berliner, bitte (I
want a Berliner, please).
The standout advantage in this book is the included CD for improving your
pronunciation and listening to how native speakers use the German language.
It comes with easy to understand exercises and everything from basic
introductions to verb conversations.
The guide is not for the more advanced users, but if you just started in
your quest for German fluency, it explains similarities between English and
German to make your learning easier.
2. “Living German” by Ed Swick
There comes a point when flipping through flashcards just doesn’t cut it.
You want to live the German language and immerse yourself in the culture,
people and events. That’s where “Living German” comes in.
The comprehensive book puts a focus on brushing up on the current German you
already know. It’s for interacting with people and living with your German
knowledge and not just struggling through conversations.
Don’t go through the horrible experience of practicing your German and then
fighting to find the right words in conversation. The book uses a
traditional approach with grammatical foundations, translation skills
and practical vocabulary. Its exercise key lets you check your answers, and
the CD helps with alternating between talking and listening.
The key advantage is that the book offers real-world examples and dialogues
that drop you into authentic German situations.
3. “German Made Simple: Learn to Speak and Understand German Quickly and Easily” by Eugene Jackson and Adolph Geiger
The “German Made Simple” book is the ideal option if you consider yourself a
self-learner. It caters to learning the basics, but the goal is to pick up
common phrases fast.
The popular book includes various reading exercises so you can flex your own
translation muscles, and the pronunciation guide provides guidance on saying
words the right way.
Common expressions are nice for the traveler in you, and the review
exercises test your knowledge. Don’t forget to check the answers in the back
when you’re done!
4. “Hammer’s German Grammar and Usage” (Fifth Edition) by Professor Martin Durrell
Here’s what all of you advanced German learnershave been waiting for.
“Hammer’s German Grammar and Usage” takes a deep look into German grammar to
challenge intermediate and advanced learners. The grammar examples are taken
from contemporary German, so your speaking relates to the world we live in
today.
If you plan on writing in German, this guide is ready to assist, since it
covers spelling reform and current spellings that have evolved over time to
mean different things. The book maintains a clear format with lucid
descriptions for you to imagine situations and items in your mind. It breaks
down common usage forms, so you know exactly when to use certain words in
the formal and informal forms.
A key component is the grammar reference area which allows you to check back
in to see if you are using words properly.
5. “Living Language German”
For an all-in-one German language learning book, go with “Living Language
German,” since it presents an easily digestible guide for everyone from
beginners to advanced German speakers. It’s one of the more comprehensive
options, where you can start with knowing nothing and graduate to a fluent
speaker.
“Living Language German” is packaged with three books, nine audio CDs and an
online training course, so you have the chance to learn through all mediums.
The reading and education materials are based on linguistic science, proven
techniques, and over 65 years of experience. Not to mention, the publisher
uses the trademarked Living Language Method, which includes four steps:
Building a Foundation, Progress with Confidence, Retaining What You’ve
Learned and Achieving Your Goals.
6. “Learn German with Stories: Café in Berlin” by André Klein
Reading a bunch of language guides gets repetitive, so why not dive into a few short stories written in German? The “Learn German with Stories: Cafe in Berlin” book is written for beginners, and it compiles 10 short stories to improve engagement and keep people motivated.
Learn about the German country and its people by following around intriguing
characters, like a young man who just moved to Berlin from Sicily. The man
encounters romances, strange living situations and more. The book provides
intriguing plot lines and controversies, making the reader wonder how he
will handle his language and figure out how to live in a new country without
his family, friends and familiar surroundings.
You receive a nicely formatted table of contents to skip around to different
stories, and the introduction explains how you should use the stories for
your own learning, how to use the in-book dictionary and how the author came
up with the stories.
Interacting with the heart of the German language takes practice, and your
options are endless, from German audiobooks to online courses, but nothing
beats a solid book. Not only can you find them for relatively cheap (and
sometimes used), but many of the German books outlined above come in e-book
format for those with tablets and Kindles.
That said, keep up the learning and integrate these books into your current
training regimen. The authors are experts, and the books provide wonderful
ways to have fun and learn about the German language.