Learning German: A never ending story?

I've been living in Germany almost for one year and a half now. And each time I find people of my own nationality, we exchange experiences and opinions about the German language. I always say that: "I am still learning German, as it is a difficult language".

What they always answer is: "you never really stop learning German". Which is something that worries me a little bit, makes me wonder how difficult the language really is; but at the same time calms me down, thinking that everybody has the same difficulties as me, and that it is just normal that it takes so long to really speak German.

Still, one must make efforts and really dedicate yourself to speak it, read it and get used to the sound of the language. In my opinion, t is better that you get to used to the "Hochdeutsch", or Standard German; I really have difficulties understanding the German from Leipzig for example, sometimes I just don't understand anything.

You must hear the radio in German, which is a very good exercise. I am proud to say that I can fairly understand German pretty well, when I hear it. I have attended German lectures and I've been able to understand a 90% of what was spoken. At work, I really don't have any difficulties.

For reading German, you can try magazines, or comic books. I recently got some Ilustrated books in German and I did not have much trouble understanding. At the same time, you will discover the different pronuntiations from Germany, and how, for example: "Ich habe etwas" turns out into " 'ch hab was".

Speaking German is a little bit more difficult, and your progress depends a lot on the people with whow you are on a daily basis. You must commit your partner to speak to you in German only or must of the time. You have to be strict and make the effort. At the same time, your colleagues at work or at the university make a big difference.

If they are used to be with foreigners, they will help you out and won't be afraid to correct you, which you should appreciate and ask for more corrections. Unfortunately, most of the time you will find people who are not at all used to be with foreigners, and instead of helping you out, will look at you each time you make a mistake and don't say anything. This is not typical of Germans, but from all nationalities, it happen to me in Ireland as well. Good friends tell you when you make a mistake and correct you, the rest just don't care, mostly because they have never been outside their own country, and very likely they don't speak another language but their own only. So don't worry.

The very hard part is to stop hanging out with people of your own nationality and hang out only with German speakers, or with friends that are also learning the language and that will speak to you only in German. If you hang out only with your nationals, you risk creating a subworld in which you will unlearn everything you have learned so far, alienate yourself from the rest of the world and start hating the language. This happens more often than you think, and it is very easy to get to this point, so avoid the easy way and make the effort. It won't be ease but the rewards are great.

Last but not least, written German. I honestly believe this will be one of the last things I will learn. I've tried to write some emails in German, but just short sentences come.

I am proud to say that I just passed the B1 Prufüng with a Sehr Gut note. The test included a written part, which was way too easy.

Unfortunately, a foreigner will never really stop learning German. Still, I am happy I am on the correct road. And soon I will begin again with German courses.