Summer break? Not for your German! Here’s how to keep it fit, nice and relaxed.

In the summer, we’ve all earned a break—even from vocabulary learning and grammar drills. But of course, no one wants to completely forget what they’ve learned over the summer. So how do you manage to keep the language in your everyday life without stressing yourself out? Here are a few ideas for you:

Music for in-between

Music is the simplest way to keep the language in your ears. You don’t have to change your entire playlist right away. Just start by adding a few German songs or artists to your existing music collection. This way, you stay in contact with German and get input, all without having to learn at your desk.

Relax with movies and series

The same applies to movies or series. You don’t have to watch every movie and every series in German, but you could try it from time to time. The ideal scenario, of course, is that the series is originally in German, but you’ll find in the language selection that many series and movies are also available in German. If you find it hard to understand everything, that’s perfectly okay. Feel free to use subtitles—and if it gives you security, they can be in another language. The point is: you hear the language and get used to the sound, even if you’re still relying on the subtitles.

Podcasts – you just have to choose!

You can also keep your German in shape with podcasts. If you already have a higher level, podcasts are a great option. There are dedicated podcasts for almost any topic you can think of. Just choose something that interests you personally – that way, it will be much easier for you to stick with it and listen.

If your level isn’t quite high enough to follow a regular German podcast yet, why not try the "Deutsch Lernen" (Learn German) podcasts by Deutsche Welle? They offer a huge selection for all language levels, so you can find the perfect format for your current stage without feeling overwhelmed.

Reading without pressure

If you’re just starting out, specifically look for books for "German as a Foreign Language" (DaF). They are tailored exactly to your level. A practical resource is the Onleihe (online library) of the Goethe-Institut: you can borrow a large selection of such readings digitally for free there. Important: try not to look up every unknown word immediately. That often takes away the flow and the fun. Just try to tolerate not understanding every detail. Context will help you, and you’ll quickly notice that you understand much more than you think.

Social media as a learning companion

Look beyond books, too. Social media is ideal for integrating German into your everyday life. Look for accounts that deal with topics you’re already interested in—whether it’s cooking, gaming, technology, or sports. If the topic grabs you, you’ll consume German content automatically, without it feeling like "studying".

Enjoy the summer and treat yourself to a little bit of German every day—that’s more than enough!

 Have fun with it!