FLUENTU By
Learning a new language takes time. Although reaching fluency doesn’t happen overnight, we still want to get there as quickly as possible. This means making the most of the effort we put into our German studies.
With this in mind, here are seven key tips to ensure that you’re picking up the most German possible while still being entertained.- Don’t Stop the Movie Too Often
Unlike televisions with their clumsy
remotes, it’s very easy—and tempting—to hit the pause button on your
media player or rewind the film back a few seconds. It’s alright to do
this once in a while to satisfy your curiosity about a word or to really
understand a dialogue that may be crucial for the plot. However, you
should limit your pausing and rewinding. Avoid interrupting the flow of a
movie too much. Not only do interruptions take away from
your enjoyment, but they prevent your brain from meeting the challenge
of hearing German conversations in real time.
- Use the Context of the Scene to Guess Words
Much like speaking or listening to German
in real life, you can use the context of the situation and the words
that you already recognize to figure out what’s going on. Even better,
in movies this context is often acted out, giving a more complete,
audiovisual picture of what the dialogue is about.
- Have a Notepad/Word Processor Handy to Write Down New Words
The words you hear over and over again in a
film are already more likely to stick in your brain. So, what better
way to increase your vocabulary than by recording the new words that you
find in the movie? Jot them down with your best guesses at their
meanings, along with how they contributed to the dialogue in the film.
By the time the credits roll, you’ll probably have heard quite a few new
words. You might even have a pretty good idea of what they mean from
the context alone. Even so, it’s always a good idea to write these words
down and confirm their definitions and usages with online German dictionaries.
- Rewatch the Movie for Clarity
It’s tempting to always move right on to a
new adventure with a different film, but there’s a lot to be gained by
taking the time to watch the same movie again. Knowing the plot and
having already heard the dialogue once, you’ll be able to pick up some
of the words and sentence structures that you missed the first time.
- Try Both Dubbed and Original Language Movies
As you delve into the world of
German-language movies, you’ll notice that they come in two varieties:
(1) films originally made in German and (2) movies which have been
dubbed. Germans love their dubbing. The benefit of seeking out your
movies online is that films of both varieties are commonly available
with German and/or English subtitles.
Films originally in German are arguably
easier to follow, and perhaps even more enjoyable to view. The language
has a more natural rhythm, with real German actors delivering those
lines. You also can feel proud that you experienced something you
couldn’t have without knowing German.
Dubbed films often feature faster speech,
to fit in all the German syllables in the same amount of time. Don’t be
afraid to challenge your ear with them. Braving the dialogue of dubbed
films will make original German movies seem much easier to understand.
- Alternative: Take Advantage of Your DVD Collection
You can always peruse your shelf for DVDs
that include a German option. Many films come with either the
possibility of putting on German subtitles or watching the entire film
dubbed in German. It usually says so on the back of the box. Enjoy old
favorites in a new way!
5 High-quality Sites for Watching German Movies Online
What type of people would we be if we told you about all the advantages of watching German films online and then didn’t help you find them? To make sure you have access to thousands of German-language films, here are five great sites and some fun movies you can find on them.1. This Big YouTube List of German Movies with English Subtitles
Where would the online video revolution be without YouTube?The most popular video sharing site now also includes many German movies complete with English subtitles. Browse this list of free movies uploaded by fellow German enthusiasts.
European movies can be considered "artsy" by some. Why not start off with a ,,Märchen" -- or fairy tale! The most recent renditions are just outstanding in my book, but even those earlier versions can be fun. They don't get old.
Some of my other favorites on Youtube are found under "Romantic comedies". After watching a few of these, and you'll notice that many of the actors begin to look very familiar. That's a good feeling about a foreign culture! --rsb
2. ZDF
A German television channel, ZDF includes a wellspring of free German movies, both dubbed and in the original language, all free for the streaming. The site provides a list of movies that are new to the site, as well as those that have appeared on the channel in the past.3. MDR
Both a television and radio channel, MDR also includes a free library of both films and television shows. The site is constantly updated as these films and programs are shown on German television, so you can keep up on the same films that are being shown to the native German audience.Note: Films on MDR don’t stay archived, so check back frequently for new releases!
4. Das Erste
Not only can you enjoy live streams of German television shows as they’re being played, but you’ll also be pleased to find that Das Erste offers a huge variety of German films.5. Fandor
The good news is that Fandor has a large collection of German films. The bad news is that one has to pay for access to the site. Still, one has the opportunity to see German films with a free trial before making any commitments.Who thought learning German could be so relaxing?
Why let a weekend stay-home night go by idle without using it to improve your language skills?
With access to thousands of movies in German—and some great insight into how to make the most of watching them—you’ll be able to speed up your progress without adding any additional stress to your life.
Movie night, anyone?
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