When you implement your learning plan, use different methods, tasks and materials as much as possible. This will help you to retain the learning content.

Set yourself a precise, manageable goal and choose learning materials and tasks that correspond to the level of your language skills.

For example:

Skill	Level	Learning objective	Task
Reading	B1	Understanding texts	Identifying key words and reproducing content
Listening	B2	Understanding radio programmes	Listening to radio programmes as MP3 or podcast (not live!) several times and taking notes
Speaking	B1	Speaking freely in everyday situations (dialogue, monologue)	Watching a short film sequence several times (if necessary), switching off the sound, reproducing the sequence orally (e.g. as a monologue or taking on a role)

Listening

A wide variety of resources are available for training your listening skills: audio CDs of a textbook, films, online broadcasts, audio books, tandem work, etc. You can find earning tips in the following documents that you will find at the Centre for Independent Language Learning that you will find at the Centre for Independent Language Learning:

• Hören 1 - Die Hörfertigkeit verbessern (PDF) (in German)
• Hören 2 - Hörverstehen lernen (PDF) (in German)
• Hören 3 - Wichtige Informationen identifizieren (PDF) (in German)
• Transkribieren einer Audiodatei (PDF) (in German)
• Notizen machen (PDF) (in German)
• Fremdsprachenlernen mit Filmen (PDF) (in German)
• Mit Filmen arbeiten (Aufgaben nach Niveaustufen) (PDF) (in German)
• Sprachen lernen mit Hörbüchern (PDF) (in German)
• Sprachen lernen mit Musik 1 - Hörverstehen üben (PDF) (in German)
• Sanako Media Assistant Lite (PDF) (in German)

Speaking

Take advantage of many opportunities to practice speaking. Don't be afraid of making mistakes or not having perfect pronunciation and remember: you learn to speak by speaking. Practise in small, time-limited work phases (for example practice 2-minute monologues). Always keep a practical situation and addressees in mind! You can find learning tips in the following documents that you will find at the Centre for Independent Language Learning that you will find at the Centre for Independent Language Learning:

• Die Sprechen 1 - Sprechfertigkeit verbessern (PDF) (in German)
• Aussprache und Intonation üben (PDF) (in German)
• Shadowing (PDF) (in German)
• Sprachen lernen mit Hörbüchern (PDF) (in German)
• Sprachen lernen mit Musik 3 - Aussprache und Intonation üben (PDF) (in German)

Reading

When choosing your reading materials, make sure that the texts are not too difficult. You should be able to understand about 70% of the text effortlessly, then you will be better able to comprehend and retain the remaining 30%. You can find learning tips in the following documents that you will find at the Centre for Independent Language Learning:

• Lesen 1 - Lesefertigkeit verbessern (PDF) (in German)
• Lesen 2 - Texte aussuchen (nach Niveaustufen) (PDF) (in German)
• Durch Texte lernen (PDF) (in German)

Writing

When practising writing skills, set specific goals and write for a potential reader. Seek feedback from a competent native speaker or teacher if possible. For learning tips, see the following documents that you will find at the Centre for Independent Language Learning:

• Schreiben 1 - Schreibfertigkeit verbessern (PDF) (in German)
• Schreiben 2 - Texte schreiben (PDF) (in German)
• Schreiben 3 - Texte aussuchen (nach Niveaustufen) (PDF) (in German)
• Schreiben 4 - Schreibkonferenz (PDF) (in German)
• Notizen machen (PDF) (in German)
• Ein neues Alphabet lernen (Link) (in German)
• Journal (PDF) New!
  • Example Journal (PDF)

Working with materials and resources

Get first an overview of the materials available for your specific learning goal (for example browse our online catalogue, WEGA). Choose materials and tasks carefully. If necessary, ask our language learning advisors, your teachers or your peers for advice. You can find learning tips in the following documents that you will find at the Centre for Independent Language Learning:

• Fremdsprachenlernen mit Filmen (PDF) (in German)
• Mit Filmen arbeiten (Aufgaben nach Niveaustufen) (PDF) (in German)
• Fremdsprachenlernen im Internet (PDF) (in German)
• Sprachen lernen mit Hörbüchern (PDF) (in German)
• Mit Zeitungen und Zeitschriften arbeiten 1 (PDF) (in German)
• Mit Zeitungen und Zeitschriften arbeiten 2 (Aufgaben nach Niveaustufen) (PDF) (in German)
• Sprachen lernen mit Musik 1 - Hörverstehen üben (PDF) (in German)
• Sprachen lernen mit Musik 2 - Wortschatz trainieren und erweitern (PDF) (in German)
• Sprachen lernen mit Musik 3 - Aussprache und Intonation üben (PDF) (in German)

Learning grammar and vocabulary

Grammar and vocabulary are also an essential part of learning a foreign language. Here are some tips that you will find at the Centre for Independent Language Learning:

• Grammatik lernen (PFD) (in German)
• Wortschatz lernen für Anfänger (PDF) (in German)
• Wortschatz lernen für Fortgeschrittene (PDF) (in German)
• Sprachen lernen mit Musik 2 - Wortschatz trainieren und erweitern (PDF) (in German)
• Word of the day (PDF) New!

Intercultural communication

• Interkulturelle Kommunikation (PDF) (in German)

Reflect on whether the methods, tasks and materials you used were appropriate to achieve your learning goals(s) (see monitoring).