This post was originally published on Audible.com.
So you’ve decided to learn German; that’s incredible! German is such a fascinating language. And whether you’ve planned an upcoming trip to a German-speaking country or you're simply looking for a new skill to master, audiobooks and podcasts can make the experience of learning German a bit easier and all the more rewarding.
Because everyone’s learning style is so different, there’s no one right way to learn a language. That said, listening to audiobooks to learn German can be a very effective way to pick up the language. One of the things that makes audiobooks such a great way to learn languages is the convenience factor. It’s easy to find time to listen to an audiobook every day, whether it’s just a few minutes in between other activities or a few hours while you’re on a drive or doing chores.
There are two main requirements for learning German, or any language, and making it stick: consistency and immersion. Audiobooks are great for consistency because you can easily make them a daily habit. And needless to say, audio is also great for immersing yourself in a language. With a German audiobook in your ears, you can just let the vocabulary, grammar, and cadence wash over you. While you might not pick it all up right away, the immersive nature of audiobooks makes the information easier to recall and remember than, say, simply flipping through a textbook.
Most importantly, audiobooks are fun. Learning a new language is like taking a journey to a different culture and a different way of seeing the world. The audiobooks on this list will help you find the fun and wonder in exploring a new language. No matter if you’re just beginning to learn German or you’re an advanced speaker looking to expand your German vocabulary, there’s an audiobook on this list to meet your needs, suit your style, and keep you talking!
German Audiobooks for Beginners
Learn German with Paul Noble is a great introduction to the German language, its grammar, and its vocabulary. This audiobook contains Paul Noble’s entire beginner course: language ground rules, how to ask questions, time phrases, using the past tense, numbers, and much more. And Noble narrates it all in a relaxed and friendly style that several listeners described as encouraging.
A downloadable booklet is also included with this audiobook for listeners to use as a reference tool.
The Pimsleur Method might be the perfect way to introduce beginners to the German language. Each lesson in the Pimsleur Method provides 30 minutes of German spoken language practice. Each of these lessons introduces new vocabulary and sentence structures, and each lesson builds on the previous one. Pimsleur German Level 1 is broken up into 30 lessons across six different audiobooks. The narration across the Pimsleur audiobooks is clear and easy to follow, which makes learning the German phrases a breeze.
With Learn in Your Car: German, Complete, you’ll be able to perfect your German pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar all without the need of a textbook. This beginner’s guide to German is broken up into three sections. Level 1 focuses on key words and phrases and basic grammar. Level 2 expands your vocabulary and introduces new grammar concepts. And finally, level 3 expands on your vocabulary even further and also offers up more advanced grammar lessons. This audiobook is perfect for listeners who are planning a trip to a German-speaking country, as a lot of the phrases and vocabulary taught early in the book are focused on travel.
Conversational German Dialogues delivers a fast and effective way to boost your comprehension of the language. This audiobook includes short German dialogues that utilize 1,000 common German words. Plus, it features audio stories that are recorded at two different speeds: one extra-slow, so you can pick up every word, and one at normal speed. When you purchase this audiobook, you also get a PDF version of the book so you can download it and follow along. While this listen is for beginners, it might be easier to follow with a little preliminary German vocabulary under your tongue. Tip: Tackle this one if you’re already slightly familiar with German or wait until you have listened to some of the other beginner audiobooks on this list first.
German Audiobooks for Intermediate Learners
Despite its title, German Short Stories for Beginners is better suited to intermediate level listeners—its focus on full short stories relies on a bit of prior knowledge about the German language, like basic vocabulary. But once you have that foundation, listening to short stories in German is the perfect way to immerse yourself in the language. This audiobook includes 10 fun and engaging German short stories that will help you learn 1,500+ German words and expressions. Each story is narrated by a native German speaker at a natural speaking speed, so you can listen to and improve your understanding of the language as it is truly spoken.
Learn German with Paul Noble is a great introduction to the German language, its grammar, and its vocabulary. This audiobook contains Paul Noble’s entire beginner course: language ground rules, how to ask questions, time phrases, using the past tense, numbers, and much more. And Noble narrates it all in a relaxed and friendly style that several listeners described as encouraging. A downloadable booklet is also included with this audiobook for listeners to use as a reference tool.
This audiobook is perfect for those trying to learn German who feel like they’ve reached a standstill when it comes to learning new vocabulary. 200 Most Common German Words in Context is here to kickstart your learning adventure all over again, with detailed tips on how to improve your learning and retention, a list of the 2,000 most common words in the German language, and examples of the words used in common scenarios and conversations. This audiobook is narrated by native German speakers, using the speed and inflection that Germans would naturally use in everyday life. It's the perfect listen for intermediate learners who are trying to get a grasp on comprehending German in real-life situations.
If you loved the Pimsleur method when you were just beginning your German language journey, why not return to what worked, now that you're more experienced? Pimsleur German Level 2 offers 30 more 30-minute lessons, broken up across six more audiobooks.
Advanced German Language Audiobooks
If you enjoyed German Short Stories for Beginners, it's time to level up now that you're an advanced German student! This audiobook includes 10 more captivating short stories read by native German speakers. The stories involve real-life relatable situations so that you can learn the vocabulary and phrases and use them in your everyday life. The most exciting part about listening to these stories? Now that you've been studying German, you'll notice that you can understand the stories with minimal effort and really enjoy listening!
Loving learning more German through storytelling? Check out Mord am Morgen, a fun and engaging detective story for advanced German learners. Follow the story of Kommissar Baumgartner and Kommissarin Momsen as they solve a small town murder mystery and banter with one another in German along the way. This audiobook is narrated in a conversational style, at the speed that native German speakers generally speak, but spoken clearly for German learners to understand.
Complete your journey with the Pimsleur Method in Pimsleur German Level 3. The final 30 lessons of the Pimsleur program build on what you have learned in Level 1 and 2, with an emphasis on pronunciation and comprehension, so you can understand and speak the German language with confidence.
German Podcast
Deutsch mit Schmidt
Looking to continue your adventure in German long after you've finished the audiobooks of your choice? Then why not listen to Deutsch mit Schmidt, an ongoing podcast that will help you continue to build up your German language skills and work towards fluency. Each episode is hosted by Sascha Schmidt, who speaks in German for the entirety of the podcast in a clear, friendly, and approachable style.
