How should I learn German?

[ciphergoth]

I must learn German. Anyone got any recommendations on the best way to do it?

I don't want to memorize a phrase book; I'm not very good at that and I don't think it really stretches far enough. I'd like to feel like I understand what I'm saying. I'd like ideally to get back to O-level standard German, in which I miraculously scraped a C but was really at D standard or so. I need spoken German to the extent of understanding "You have to get off here; the tram is turning left" and written German for phrases like "Added quick hack to the Java virtual machine for IFA demo".

I'd love to have half decent pronounciation. I used to have a good ear but now my attempts to say anything in German cause giggles.

Should I blow £54 on this set of CDs?

• "German with Michael Thomas Complete Course CD"

Should I trust in good old Auntie?

• "Deutsch Direkt: Cassette pack"

Should I go down some other route?

• "German language learning: results 1 - 50 of 524 items"

ajva? Anyone?

cheers...

Comments

Rah!

[bootpunk.livejournal.com]

Good call. I'm trying to get my truely awful German improved too (looks like my English could use some work while I'm at it ...).

I've been giving some of my old books a brush off and I'm enjoying it. I'd agree with Anne's points, and add:

* the best way to learn is to be around German speakers a lot - more frequent trips to Germany will help a boat-load

* I totally agree with the comics and Rammstein (plus other Kraut-rock) ideas - Thins has some comics, Asterix and others

* night-classes might be an idea - you get to hear more spoken German, and it also stops you slacking

* tabloid papers might be worth a look when you get a bit better - a bit like the comics, but will give you some non-standard dialogue

* web-sites ... need I say more? Its the second biggest language on the 'net

* take a trip out to Saas-Fee or similar this winter for a snow-boarding trip :o)

One thing I realised last week when reading my grammer book is just how bad my English grammer is too. Its not good when you don't understand the English term, let alone the German one.

"Conjuntion junction, whats my function?"

Re: Rah!

[ciphergoth.livejournal.com]

Well, I anticipate visiting Berlin every six weeks or so, so I'll be around German speakers anyway. And now I've worked out how to pick up email from work, German is flowing into my inbox daily, and I keep wishing for the ability to read it, especially when it's addressed to all@convergence.de.

I'm away so often that night classes probably wouldn't work for me.

Great picture, BTW!