Yes, you can learn German on your own. The learners who succeed follow a simple daily routine: about 20 minutes of reading or listening at their level, 10 minutes of vocabulary review with spaced repetition, 10 minutes of grammar, and 10 minutes of writing or speaking. That adds up to under an hour a day – and it is enough to reach A2 in roughly six months.
The biggest risk when teaching yourself is not difficulty but drift: jumping between apps, YouTube videos and grammar books without a plan. The month-by-month plan below gives you structure and tells you what “done” looks like at each step.
The daily 50-minute routine
- 120 minutes input: a graded story or dialogue at your level – read it, then listen to the audio, then read again.
- 210 minutes vocabulary: review flashcards with spaced repetition; add 5–10 new words from today’s text.
- 310 minutes grammar: one topic at a time (articles, verb position, perfect tense …) with a few exercises.
- 410 minutes output: write five sentences about your day, or say them out loud and record yourself.
Month-by-month plan
- Month 1 (A1 start): pronunciation, numbers, present tense, word order (verb in position 2), 300 words. Read A1 stories with audio.
- Month 2: articles and cases (nominative, accusative), modal verbs, questions. 600 words.
- Month 3 (A1 complete): separable verbs, perfect tense, dative. Take an A1 model test.
- Month 4: subordinate clauses with weil/dass/wenn, comparatives, reflexive verbs. A2 stories.
- Month 5: past tense of common verbs, prepositions with dative/accusative. Start writing short emails.
- Month 6 (A2): adjective endings (basics), relative clauses (basics). Take an A2 model test.
Free resources that are worth your time
- DW Learn German – “Nicos Weg”, a free video course from A1 to B1 (searches for it are rising sharply in 2026).
- Official model tests from the Goethe-Institut and telc to check your level.
- Slow German podcasts and radio news for listening practice.
- Graded readers and reading apps that let you tap unknown words instead of reaching for a dictionary.
Common mistakes when learning alone
- Only using a gamified app – you collect streaks but rarely read a full text.
- Learning words without articles: always learn “der Tisch”, not “Tisch”.
- Never producing language: write or speak a little every day, even if nobody corrects it.
- Reading texts that are too hard. If you need to look up more than one word in ten, choose an easier level.
Use Lesen Lab for your daily input
- 1
Pick your level
Start with A1 or A2 stories that feel slightly easy.
- 2
Read, listen, read
Read the story, play the native audio, read it again.
- 3
Save new words
Tap unknown words and review them as flashcards tomorrow.
Free to download on iPhone & iPad
Official sources
Frequently asked questions
Can I really learn German by myself?
Yes. With a daily routine of reading/listening, vocabulary review, grammar and some writing, most learners reach A2 in about six months on their own.
How many hours a day should I study German?
45–60 minutes a day is enough for steady progress. Consistency matters more than long weekend sessions.
What is the best free way to learn German?
Combine a free structured course such as DW’s Nicos Weg with graded reading, a podcast at your level and official model tests.
How do I know when I reach A1 or A2?
Take an official Goethe or telc model test for that level. If you score around 60% or more, you are close.
Which app helps with reading practice for self-study?
Lesen Lab: Learn German A1–B2 for iPhone and iPad offers 1000+ graded German stories with audio, tap-to-translate and flashcards: https://apps.apple.com/app/id6752349330