Here is a comforting lie a lot of students tell themselves: "I'll just learn German once I get there, immersion will do it." It sounds reasonable. It is mostly wrong, and believing it makes your first year far harder than it needs to be. German is a genuinely difficult language, and "being surrounded by it" does not magically install it in your head. Let us fix this before you fly.
Why "learn it there" fails
- German is hard for English and Hindi speakers: cases, genders, word order, long compound words. It takes real, structured study, not osmosis.
- You will be too busy and too stressed once you arrive, with demanding coursework, a job hunt and survival admin, to start a hard language from zero.
- It gatekeeps your real life: the Bürgeramt, doctors, the better part-time and Werkstudent jobs, landlords, and most importantly real local friendships, all open up faster with even basic German.
- It even speeds up your future: reaching B1 later can cut your time to permanent residence. The clock starts with the habit you build now.
The target: at least A2 before you board the plane
How to do it for free (no money needed)
Nico's Weg, the best free course there is
Nico's Weg by Deutsche Welle is a complete, genuinely free A1 to B1 video course. It is structured, it is good, and it costs nothing. Start today, right here on our Learn German page, and check your level any time with the free level test.
YouTube, your free private tutor
If you cannot pay for classes, YouTube is a goldmine. Channels like Easy German (real street conversations), Learn German with Anja, Deutsch mit Marija and Your German Teacher cover grammar and listening for free. Pick one or two and stick with them rather than hopping around.
A small daily habit beats a panic month
Thirty to forty-five minutes every day, plus a vocabulary app for streaks, will take you to A2 in a few months. Add a conversation partner (language-exchange apps are free) to practise speaking, the part videos cannot give you.
FAQ
Can I really just learn German after I move?
Not easily. Without a base, immersion mostly leaves you stuck and isolated. Arrive with at least A2 so immersion has something to build on, then push to B1.
How much German should I have before flying?
A1 is the minimum, A2 is the real target. Even for English-taught programmes, A2 transforms your daily life, your job options and your social life.
How do I learn German for free?
Use Nico's Weg by Deutsche Welle (free A1 to B1) on our Learn page, plus free YouTube channels like Easy German and Learn German with Anja. You only pay if you need an official exam certificate.
How long does it take to reach A2?
With a steady daily habit of 30 to 45 minutes, a few months from zero. Consistency matters far more than intensity.
Start now, for free: Begin Nico's Weg on the Learn German page → and test your level.
