It may have been described by Mark Twain as, “That Awful German Language”, but German is the language of poets, thinkers, inventors and innovators, and so it is perhaps no surprise that over 200 million people speak German as a first, second or foreign language worldwide.
Of course, Mark Twain’s essay is a humorous account of the frustrations he faced as a non-native speaker learning German as a foreign language, and if you are currently learning German in Germany or in your home country, you may well sympathise with his frustrations. While not a complex language per se, speaking German doesn’t come easy to everyone, and if you are having problems communicating those words that are perfectly lined up in your head, these top tips could help you improve your German Pronunciation Skills, and Deutsch sprechen like a native…!
- Take a German Phonetics Course
If you already have basic German Language skills, but would like to improve your German accent and pronunciation skills, a German Phonetics Couse could be the perfect place to start. The art of pronunciation is a skill that one must master if they are to succeed in the German speaking professional sphere, and this type of course will help you articulate yourself more clearly.
- Practice, Practice, and then Practice Again…
Practice really does make perfect when learning German as a foreign language, and so read out loud as much as you can, even if it is to yourself, and your mind and mouth will soon work together in perfect harmony.
- Reversing Fossilised Errors
It is easy to pick up bad habits when learning something new, and if you are learning German on your own with a textbook or an online course, you may well have a few fossilised errors that are hindering your pronunciation skills. You can reverse fossilised errors with the help of a German teacher, so book a course, and banish those habitual mistakes for good.
- Ask for Help
Ask your fellow native German speaking students or business colleagues to correct you if you make a mistake with pronunciation. Some people may feel embarrassed to do this, so give them permission to give you constructive criticism.
- Stick to Hochdeutsch: Leave Dialect to the Locals
When you are surrounded by natives speaking a variety of different dialects, it can be easy to pick up bad habits. Stick to Hochdeutsch when communicating with native German speakers, and they will modify their pronunciation in return.
