How to Self-Learn German from A1 to C1: Courses, Books, Tools

Learning German? Wow, let me say this first: you are brave – learning a new language, especially German, is going to be a memorable journey, full of fun, lots of challenges but also big sweet rewards! If you’re just starting out, or stuck somewhere in your German learning journey, this page might just be what you are looking for: all the resources I had and have been using to self-learn German as a full-time office worker in the past 2,5 years to (currently) B2/C1 level, plus some personal tips for your best possible learning experiences.

Read tiếng VIỆT version: Tự Học tiếng Đức với mình: Resources A1 – B2.

(👀 This page is constantly being updated, as I’ve found new resources to recommend. So bookmark the page, or subscribe to my newsletter to always get the freshest and coolest news on self-learning German!

Let’s dive straight in! 🇩🇪✨

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MY GERMAN SELF-LEARNING BACKGROUND

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🌱 STARTER LEVEL: A1–A2

At this level, my main goals were to review (or get used to, if you’re brand new) all the basic grammar and foundational vocabulary, to make simple sentences (like to introduce myself, and order bread at Hauptbahnhof), familiarise myself and to fall in like with the language (again).

📺 Structured Courses

Video-based online courses: Deutsche Welle Nicos’ Weg A1 + Deutsche Welle Nicos’ Weg A2

📘 Grammar

Grammatik Aktiv book A1-B1

This is a trilogy grammar book series, that works as a textbook and a workbook. It helps fill in the grammar gaps I have.

• ✅ Each lesson has a one-page short but clear explanations, followed by exercises.

• ✅ Lessons followed a good logic to build up knowledge from basic to more intermediate.

• ❗ Sometimes, the tricky grammar points might be not explained in enough details. (BUT HOLD ON: I will spill some bonus resources at the end that can help your grammar study further!)

📱 Apps

Duolingo (A1): Everyone knows and loves Duolingo. It’s great for absolute beginners.

• ✅ The gamified format helps build a habit, which is extremely important when starting out anything new, especially a language.

• ❗Eventually the app’s lessons becomes repeatable and plateau (so eventually you should move out and move on for further levels)

Quizlet (A1-A2): An app to create flashcards and practice learning vocabulary with.

• ✅ Quick, free and easy to set up and to study with

• ❗ Eventually it becomes not so fun and effective to study hundreds, if not thousands of words with.

💡 Starting B1 and now B2-C1 levels, I have been using a new tool to ace my vocabulary cramming and retention. Stay tune as more news on this is coming soon!

For the time being, I have this FREEBIE instead to offer. This 1000 must-know vocabulary list will give you a speedy boost into your German study journey.

🎬 Media

Extra auf Deutsch: Think “Friends” but in slow German! I used to negate the effects of learning with movies and shows, when one is still at A1-A2 level. However, I find this sitcom-style show is ideal for beginners. It’s light, silly, and full of useful, spoken German in daily scenarios.

✍️ Writing

If at this beginner’s level, you are still shy (like me) to start producing the language by speaking it, then I highly recommend you try keeping a language journal. It is a fun low-key way to put your already acquired vocabulary and grammar so far into real life “daily conversations”.

READ NEXT: How To Start A Language Learning Journal? (60 Journal Prompts A1-B2 Level)

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🚀 INTERMEDIATE LEVEL: B1–B2

This is where things got exciting, and…more challenging. In this one year of this level, I focus more on improving reading and listening comprehension, refining grammar, and starting to speak and write more regularly.

📘 Grammar

Grammatik Aktiv B1+  & Grammatik Aktiv B2–C1: These two books, following the A1-B1 version go deeper into intermediate rules and introduce new advanced topics. These grammar books are the only grammar resources I use and need. They complement nicely to the courses and apps.

📚 Reading

Perfekt Deutsch Magazine: These are my favourite reading materials, because:

• ✅ They are short, digestible articles about various interesting stories in Germany

• ✅ With glossary & explanations next to the text, so minimum effort to look up dictionary

• ✅ Review and practice my existing vocab in context, and of course, learn new ones also in context

• 💕 Perfect for a chill evening in bed to learn German the “relaxing” way while reading about the country’s cultures, travel destinations, economies, trendy topics, etc.

These magazines are available in both print and digital format.

I got asked so frequently where I get them: it’s Thalia, my go-to-almost-any-other-weekend bookstores here in Germany. You could also order online as a subscription or get the digital version.

🎧 Listening

Deutsche Welle’s Langsam gesprochene Nachrichten: News read at a slower pace. This is such an excellent resource, as it helps me:

• ✅ Train listening comprehension

• ✅ Improve my pronunciation and accent, when paired with shadowing technique

• ✅ Review and practice my existing vocab in context, and of course, learn new ones also in context

🗣️ Speaking & Writing

Falou: A speaking-focused app where you can practice conversations out loud with voice recognition. (think Elsa Speak for English)

• ✅ Excellent to practice speaking in real context of various daily conversations, especially with pronunciation corrections.

• ✅ Multiple base-language available, such as if you are a Spanish native speaker, you can choose Spanish for translations.

• ❗Yearly-based subscription only, no lifetime purchase

Shadowing: I mimicked native speakers in podcasts or videos. Repeating out loud improved my accent and flow.

Journaling: I have been using this journaling prompt list from TheCoffeeMonsterzco to build a daily German writing habit, even if it is just a few lines a day.

If you just start your language learning journey or you are working towards intermediate level, try this 60-day language journal challenge instead as these prompts are more tailor-made for A1-B1 learners.

This is going to be so much fun, as it also aligns with the journaling hobby and daily Bullet Journal practices.

🎬 Media

Deutsche Welle’s Video Thema: Short news videos with subtitles and vocabulary list. I love learning with these materials after a long day, as it is quite fun and also it helps me:

• ✅  Train listening and reading comprehension

• ✅  Interactive exercises to test vocabulary and understanding

• ✅  Review and practice existing vocab in context, and learn new ones also in context

Easy German (YouTube): Street interviews with clear subtitles—ideal for hearing natural, everyday German.

Netflix TV Shows: Dark and Die Kaiserin—great for immersion once you’re more comfortable with the language and/or wanting some inspirations to study the language

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🎓 ADVANCED LEVEL: C1–C2

I continue my self-learning quest to “C-level” the last 3 months of 2025, exactly now 3 years of living and working in Germany. At this level, I’d want to complete all grammatical knowledge, and deep drill my vocabulary. In addition, I shift my focus a bit from more Reading-Writing as before to more Listening-Speaking.

📖 Vocabulary

Uni? Sicher! 3:

As C1-C2 structured courses are harder to come by, I switch to this book. One advantage is the very organised grouping of vocab by topics. Moreover, I always like to learn new words with examples in sentences, as it helps the in-context understanding.

PONS Prüfungstraining Deutsch C1: Intensive Vorbereitung auf das Deutsch-Zertifikat C1:

I use this book mainly to drill vocabulary during my study, but it also helps to gradually prepare for the C1 exam.

📘 Grammar

Grammatik Aktiv book B2-C1:

Just continuing to complete the final edition of the Cornelsen’s Grammatik Aktiv series, and getting into the advanced sections of German grammar.

🗣️ Speaking & Writing

Besides shadowing with above listening resources (with script), I try to use German now every day when speaking or writing. Like, I attempted doing all job interviews in German and speaking at the Ämter about my needs, etc.

My first writing mission would be to continue Part II of our beloved 60-day language journal challenge.

Then similar to Grammar, I’d update in the upcoming months more resources for drilling Writing exams.

🎧 Listening & Media

Here are my favorite listening resources:

Slow Germans with Annik Rubens

Mai Think X (YouTube)

Video Thema – DW

Easy German (YouTube)

Langsam gesprochene Nachrichten – DW

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🎁 BONUS RESOURCES

📖 Dictionaries

• PONS: My go-to for word meanings, verb conjugations, and idioms.
• DUDEN: Germany’s official dictionary (however, I prefer PONDS much more to DUDEN)

📺 YouTube Channels

For English Speakers:

Learn German with Anja (YouTube): Anja is energetic, fun, and her teaching is incredibly clear. What I love about this channel:

• ✅  Her playlists are well-organized by proficiency levels (currently, A1, A2 and B1) as well as grammar topics.

• ✅ Super detailed explanation on German grammar, repeated in both German and English

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Final Thoughts

Learning German has been one of the most rewarding things I’ve done and one of the most humbling! Progress is rarely linear, and that’s okay.

The key is consistency, curiosity, and finding the right mix of resources that work for you. But also stick to the selected resources and see them through, before deciding to switch.

Whether you’re just starting out or pushing into B-level fluency, I hope this guide gives you a clearer path and some inspiration to keep going.

I will continue to update this resource list as I travel further along this learning path to reach C-levels, so stay connected via MyA5Corner newsletter. I hope to see you around and we can accompany each other.

Viel Erfolg und viel Spaß beim Deutschlernen! 🇩🇪

Suani ✨