You’ve already taken a German course – always did your homework, practiced grammar, and studied vocabulary. Yet speaking still isn’t working.
Then you’re like many others who want to learn to speak German – and at some point ask themselves: Why is speaking just not working?
I’ll show you why that is – and what you can do about it.
1. Not Enough Speaking Practice in Your German Course
The first reason why you haven’t learnt yet to speak German:
You simply worked your way thourgh the textbook, exercise by exercise. The teacher explained things, handed out some photocopies, and at the end, you read out your answers.
Then the lesson was over, you went home, did your homework, maybe watched some YouToube videos and used an app to study. Basically, you spent the whole day dealing with German.
But you didn’t speak.
As a result, you’d rather stay quiet or switch to English.
Here are a few concrete examples of why learning only with a textbook isn’t enough
Sprache derives from sprechen, and sprechen is an activity.
- Sister and Brother
Small children learn their native language by connecting words with actions. For example, a sister says to her one-year-old brother: “Shall we read a book?” He quickly crawls onto the sofa, grabs the book, hands it his sister, and says: “Da, bu!”
Language and action are directly linked in that moment.
- At the Hairdresser
Adults also learn words and sentences best when they’re out and about, in real-life situations where ceratins words are needed. If we’re looking for a hairdresser, we micht pick up our first words by reading the signs in the shop window: “Haarschnitt” (haircut), “Dauerwelle” (perm), etc.
Usually, there are helpful images, scissors, curly hair – and boom! You’ve learned your first hardresser words. Then you got to your appointment and can immediately use those words – that’s active speaking.
- With Your Partner
If you’re in a relationship with a native German speaker, and they say: „Ich geh in die Küche und mach den Abwasch“ (I’m going to the kitchen to do the dishes), and then you see them doing ti – you directly link the words to the action.
Conclusion
The connections between speaking and being active is natural – whether it’s your native language or a foreign one.
So you MUST SPEAK – from day one.
2. Your German Course was too large
Another reason why you didn’t learn to speak: many group courses are simply too big! 12, 14 or even 20 people in one class – that’s way too may! Naturally, not every gets a chance to speak. Plus, the teacher can’t possibly give attention to each individual.
And then, there are are always stronger students and shy ones. The shy ones lose. Always. Because if you’re naturally introverted and don’t dare to speak, you’ll feel even more intimidated in a large group. Those who are extroverted speak more and profit more.
3. Strict Requirements to Finish The Textbook By The End of The Course
There are many schools that have the requirement to finish the textbook by the end of the course. But this means the teacher can’t really respond to the actual needs of the group.
For example, if learners in an advanced course are still struggling with subordinate clauses, then those need to be reviewed thoroughly. That might take two extra days – longer than what the school schedule allows. And that’s at the lerners’ expense.
With intensive repetition, you actually learn more in the long run and become more confident in the language – compared to rushing through everything, understanding the grammar in theory, but not being able to use it correctly.
4. Strong Focus on Exam Preparation
There seem to be general language courses that spend most ot the time doing exam exercises – even though the language level hasn’t acutually fully taught yet.
Example:
A client came to us and said “I took a B1 course, but in B1.2 we only did exam preparation and we didnt’ learn what we were actually supposed to learn at the B1.2 level. Now I feel like I have to repeat the entire B1 level because I didn’t really learn anything most of the time.”
And that’s exactly how it was. He had gaps that should have been addressed in B1.2.
A real shame – for his time and his money.
Did You Recognize Yourself in One Of These Four Situations?
If so, the you’ve probably realized that something went wrong in your learning process. Yes, you practiced German – but you didn’t actually learn to SPEAK it.
That’s exactly why we do things differently in our German courses:
✅ Max. 8 people per group, so you get plenty of speaking time
✅ Daily, natural speaking practice from day one
✅ Teachers who focus on your individual needs
If you feel like you’re not making progress when it comes to speaking – it’s time to change that.
Because speaking is where most people struggle – whether they’re applying for a job in Germany or just trying to manage everyday life. Integration becomes so much harder without it.
Get in touch with us. We’ll help you find the course that fit’s you best – so you can really learn to speak.
These Factors Make the Process of Learning German Even Harder
Speaking is one of the most sensitive skills: It reveals whether you’re unsure, whether you didn’t understand something, or whether you’re struggling. In short: You show vulnerability.
This leads to the well-known language barrier – you’re afraid to say something.
These three factors make speaking even more defficult.
⚡ The Different Sound of a Foreign Language
Every language sounds different. It has its own melody, its own tone – and you can hear that in your own voice. That means your voice sounds different in every foreign language. And that feels unfamiliar to you.
This phenomenon happens when you’re just starting out with a new language, but also if you’re at an advanced level and still don’t speak much. You first have to get used to your “new” voice. The unfamiliar sound can hold you back.
My American friend once said to me: “Fran, your voice is competely different when you speak German!”
Pronunciation and intonation also play a big role here. That’s why it’s so important to really listen closely when native German speakers talk. Pay attention and try to imitate them. That helps a lot.
⚡ The Typical Negative Scenario
Maybe it helps if you picture these steps clearly. That way, you can observe yourself better and say, in the moment when you’re holding back: “Okay, now I’m going to say something – no matter how it comes out.”
Here’s the negative scenario:
- You say something with just a few words.
- The other person doesn’t understand what you mean.
- You switch to English and
- confirm to yourself: “I can’t do this. German is too hard.”
Then you’re back to step 1. And the whole dydle starts again. Very important: You can change the pattern at any point (steps 1-5).
Take a look at where you’re stuck – and change it.
- Next time, don’t switch to English
- Say just a little more each time
- If you catch yourself being critical again, be kind to yourself. Acknowledge that you said samoething.
- Be proud that you made it this far.
Real talk: Learning to speak start the moment you say a word – out loud. If you don’t do that, if you don’t speak and just wait, you’ll stay exactly where you are: not speaking.
⚡ The New Culture
Language and culture are closely connected. When beahviors feel unfamiliar, it can easily lead to misunderstandings. German, for example, tend to be very direct. But they don’t mean it in a rude way.
Still, this directness can be confusing.
In many other languages and cultures, directness is considered impolite. And that’s how some people may develop a kind of dislike toward the culture.
But when you learn the language, you automatically learn the directness, too. And as the language starts to feel more natural to you, so does the culture – and the directness.
To me, it’s about something even bigger: It’s about peace. It’s simply wonderful when different cultures understand one another and live together.
How Can You Learn to Speak German More Effectively?
🎯 Don’t switch to English.
🎯 Step out your comfort zone and speak German – even outside of class. And do it especially if you don’t get much speaking time in your current German course.
🎯 Learn the language – and through it, the culture as well.
You’re surprised the anwer is this short – after such a long text? We Germans just love to keep it direct 😉
👉 Want to know what the ideal German course looks like – one where you actually learn to speak? Then read our blog article: “The Ideal German Course.”
👉 Contact us directly. We’ll find the right course for you.
Contact & Personal Consultation
Get personalized advice – we’re happy to help you!
We Offer These Course Types
German Evening Classes Frankfurt
German Language Course Two Mornings per Week
Follow us on social media for news & tips
Leave a Reply