Learn German from Scratch – Your 8-Week Beginner Plan (A1 Level)
- Sarah
- May 28
- 2 min read
Never learned a second language before? Don’t worry – this blog is your realistic, motivating guide to starting German step by step, with no pressure and lots of structure. It includes the top 50 beginner verbs, free podcast and video tips, and a clear weekly schedule to help you make real progress.
⭐ Why learning German feels hard at first
Many beginners – especially those who have never learned another language – don’t fail because of the content, but because of the lack of structure. Here's what really helps:
A weekly plan
Real-life German input
Daily routines and repetition
A focus on what really matters
Your 8-Week Plan to Learn German
Week | Focus | What to Do |
1 | Basics & Pronunciation | Alphabet, sounds like “ch” and “r”, greetings, personal pronouns |
2 | First Verbs & Questions | “sein” (to be), “haben” (to have), question words, short dialogues |
3 | Present Tense Verbs | Verb endings, daily action verbs like “gehen”, “lesen”, “machen” |
4 | Articles & Plurals | der/die/das, plural endings, essential nouns |
5 | Word Order & Modal Verbs | “können”, “müssen”, “möchten” + basic sentence structure |
6 | Separable Verbs | e.g. “aufstehen”, “fernsehen” → Read more about separable verbs |
7 | The Perfekt Tense (Past) | “Ich habe gegessen”, “Ich bin gegangen” → Perfekt vs. Präteritum |
8 | Speaking & Review | Short role plays, listening tasks, writing practice, self-testing |
Top 50 Most Useful Verbs (A1 Level)
Podcasts & Videos for Beginners (A1 Level)
Podcasts:
Deutsch – Warum Nicht? (DW)
YouTube Channels:
Nico's Weg (DW)
Beginner Learning Strategy: How to stay motivated
Less is more: Study 20 minutes every day instead of 2 hours once a week.
Use colours & visuals: Mark der/die/das in different colours, or highlight verb parts.
Active, not passive: Speak out loud, repeat, write things down – don’t just watch.
Mistakes are okay: You're learning something brand new. Be patient and have fun.
Ready to really learn?
Want to do more than just read? Want to speak, understand, and use German in real life?
Join our A1 Beginner Course at GermanMind
Read more blogs!
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Unlocking the German language has never been easier with the GermanMind Method learning platform. If you're wondering how to learn German effectively, you've come to the right place. Our platform offers a wide range of resources and tools designed to make learning German an enjoyable and accessible experience. Whether you're a beginner or looking to advance your language skills, our German classes are tailored to your needs. Our online German language courses provide flexibility and convenience, allowing you to learn at your own pace. Become a GermanMind Pro and join us on the journey of learning German, discovering the power of the GermanMind Method.
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