Learning a language from home sounds like a pretty ambitious goal. What makes it difficult is that you basically don’t have to, and all our expired vegetables in the fridge and unused gym memberships prove how hard it is to do something when you could just spare yourself the stress.
And yet, many people decide to learn a foreign language at home and successfully follow through. When I first started learning German online, I had no idea how far I could come without leaving my home country. I ended up being able to understand most resources intended for native speakers and speak relatively fluently. It certainly took a lot of effort, but I felt a deep sense of pride for finding ways to connect with a place I had never lived.
But to succeed, I had to find out firsthand that not everything people say about language learning is true.
Common myths that hold you back
Myth #1. You have to be there!
When you’re not living in the target-language-speaking country, it takes a lot of intentional effort to recreate ideal conditions.
Thirty or twenty years ago it would admittedly be very difficult to do so, and that’s probably why to this day we keep hearing that you have to be there to really master a language. Personally, I’d say you have to be there to be forced to learn the language. In the absence of such compelling conditions, you will need much stronger commitment to incorporate learning into your routine and stick to it. Keep it sustainable and varied! Tired of videos? Pick a novel. Find podcasts boring? Try a comedy show. Depending on your level, there’s a lot of accessible materials you can turn to. Even without living abroad.
Myth #2. You need to watch TV series!
TV series are the omnipresent go-to recommendation for people learning a language from home. I recently immersed myself in the German language completely, yet I have watched no more than a couple of TV shows in German. Why?
While visual cues can help you access content that is above your current level, you need to be able to follow a conversation based on language alone and podcasts in this case are a sustainable, time-saving alternative.
Another problem with TV series is the overwhelming abundance of accents, dialects, fast-paced dialogues, colloquial expressions, cultural references and so on. All those elements are present in podcasts too, but in a limited, learner-friendlier way. Most moderators have a neutral accent, while actors prioritize emotional expressiveness. This often means that clear articulation is not their top priority.
Finally, TV series do not usually follow a common thread throughout the episode. Every few minutes, there’s a change of scene, with different characters and overlapping storylines. In contrast, a podcast typically has a clear theme for each episode, making it easier to get back on track if you get lost.
Myth #3. You have to study for the test!
Obtaining a certification can represent an important milestone and a stimulus not to give up your learning journey, although it is by no means necessary. I believe that having an exam date to look forward to can serve as a motivation to keep going — at least it works for me.
However, many students believe that drilling exam-like exercises is the only way to improve their language skills, as if these specific types of activities were the sole path to reaching their target level. The truth is that any kind of practice is valuable! You don’t need to perfect your ability to write formal emails to make progress. Writing a diary entry or an authentic letter to a friend can be just as effective — and definitely more engaging.
Incorporating variety into your practice exposes you to a richer vocabulary and strengthens your overall ability to understand and express yourself, which in turn will help you succeed in your exam. Plus, you won’t feel so bored and discouraged that you actually risk giving up!
Although I found it useful to work through two German certifications during these years — therefore, I needed to familiarize myself with the exam format and recurring themes — I ultimately spent much more time simply writing, speaking, and reading about anything.
So, how did I actually learn German from home?
I decided to learn German at the end of 2022. My goal was to become proficient enough to be able to read articles and express simple concepts, and my first step was to buy and start using the Assimil German course, combined with traditional grammar books. It may not have been particularly fun, but I was looking for the fastest way to confidently employ grammar structures and acquire a decent vocabulary. After about five months, I was able to read and write acceptably, but listening and speaking were still a weak spot for me – that’s the downside of learning by yourself.
It was only after reaching the intermediate plateau that I was able to add variety and entertainment to keep my learning strategy effective and motivating. Here’s what helped me the most:
1. Flashcards
Whoever has experience with the German language knows this: long words, three genders, and an extremely detailed and specific vocabulary. I tried to memorize words by writing them down in a notebook, but after a while, I realized that some words had been noted multiple times because I kept forgetting them. So, I started writing them on small pieces of paper and reviewing about 20 of them every day. Instead of single words, I wrote down common combinations (adjective + noun, verb + preposition) to create sensible chunks of language that I could actually use in sentences.
The best part?
I ended up with about 700 flashcards, and the best part is that I actually memorized and used those words!
2. ChatGPT
ChatGPT is very good at correcting grammar mistakes and providing example sentences. I would input a text I wrote or the transcription of a three-minute audio file I had recorded and ask it to correct it.
The best part?
Asking why it had replaced a certain verb with a synonym or why my ordering of the complements in the sentence was incorrect. It wasn’t always able to provide satisfactory answers, but it led me to ask the right questions, and then Google and grammar books would do the rest.
3. Instagram accounts
I started following German Instagram accounts related to themes I find interesting, such as languages or science, and the main newspapers and magazines. Reading an Instagram post only takes a couple of minutes, and the content is purposefully catchy, which makes it easier to identify important information and memorize the key words.
The best part?
Reading and writing comments – it is as close to authentic native speakers’ language as it gets, but in written form!
4. An online conversation course, but making the most out of it
I had been studying German for about a year when I decided to enroll in an online conversation course, as I had no one to practice with at home! Unfortunately, most conversation courses tend to be quite unstructured, and if you’re shy or lack confidence, you might find yourself listening to other students without actively participating. If you’re considering joining a course, I recommend selecting one that allows you to get prepared in advance. For instance, knowing the topic of the meeting beforehand allows you to spend time reading articles or watching videos to form your own opinions and familiarize yourself with the relevant vocabulary. You might also consider practicing conversations with yourself by recording and listening to them, so you feel ready to speak up when it’s your turn. It may seem a bit forced and like a lot of extra work, but this is the best way to build the courage you need.
The best part?
The exhilarating feeling of being able to express your own ideas!
5. Conversations with myself
If you don’t feel ready for a conversation course or don’t want to invest money, it doesn’t mean you have no way to practice your speaking skills. I’d suggest trying to speak to yourself! I found it helpful to formulate short monologues on various personal and general topics. Talking to myself allowed me to take all the time I needed without feeling under pressure.
The best part?
Recording the audio files, having the AI correct them, and experiencing firsthand how I became more confident and fluent week after week!
6. A lot of podcasts…but not just any podcast!
The first podcast I listened to was aimed at German learners, and it did wonders for my self-confidence: there I was, sitting in my hometown in central Italy, listening to actual German people speaking their language! And I could understand it! That felt exciting.
After a while, I was ready to jump into the world of podcasts for native speakers – but there’s an overwhelming abundance of free resources in the ARD Audiothek!
How to choose?I focused on podcasts about psychology, sustainability, and science—topics I personally find interesting. I also prioritized podcasts with two moderators to have the chance to listen to a conversation rather than a monologue — featuring spontaneous elements like interrupting each other, making jokes, and so on. Interviews are particularly helpful, because the question-and-answer structure helps follow the conversation even if you don’t understand every word.
The best part?
There’s no limit to the number of interesting episodes you can find, and it never gets boring!
Summing it up
I know – that’s intense. But you don’t necessarily have to do all of those things, or all of them at the same time. It’s ok to focus on what interests you more, or what fits best into your busy daily schedule. I just think that there are a lot of effective ways to actually be surrounded by language without leaving home, and I hope these tips and suggestions will be useful to convince you to try the experience!
