Introduction
Learning a language with a new spelling system can seem daunting. The spelling can be too similar or too foreign. German uses the same Latin script as English, but the letters often have a totally different sound than you would expect as an English speaker!
The German alphabet is related to the English alphabet, given that they use the same Latin script. There are a few differences though! The German “ch” sound does not sound like the English “ch” sound! German also uses diacritics or special accent markers to represent some sounds, along with special combined letters called ligatures.
What is the German Alphabet?
German has been a written language for a very long time. The German alphabet is standardized by the Council for German Orthography and differs only slightly between the different German-speaking parts of the world.
German spelling has 26 to 30 letters, depending on how you count them. The main difference is that the letters may sound different to what you expect, they may be modified such as “ä, ö, and ü”, or they may even be two letters mashed together like “ß”, which is a combination of s and z.
The Perks of Learning the German Alphabet
You may be asking, “why learn the German Alphabet”? Here are a few reasons:
- The German-speaking world (areas where German is spoken natively or as a working language) is a large part of the globe. It is not possible to function in these environments without literacy.
- Literacy in your target language is like rocket fuel for learning. Books have a large amount of language density, and expose you to massive amounts of the target language in a very short time.
- Familiarity with the alphabet allows access to German literature, poetry, and folklore in their original form, letting you better appreciate your favorite authors.
Learning German is Challenging
Learning German is challenging, and traditional language learning methods don’t work. Many mainstream approaches fail to engage us effectively, while many language apps resemble glorified video games that prioritize entertainment over genuine language acquisition. It’s time to rethink how we approach learning German and find a method that truly facilitates understanding and retention.
That’s why we created the Refold German Alphabet deck!
Learn to read German with this free Anki deck, complete with native recorded audio!
Instead of learning the letters and what sounds they make, we go the other direction. We look at the different sounds of the language and how you can write them. This means that some letters or combinations of letters can represent several sounds, or vice versa!
This deck is meant to be used with the Refold method of language learning. It assumes:
- Mass exposure!The deck works best when you practice reading a lot (even German subtitles), because reading real German constantly enforce the new letters in your memory.
- The deck is not a replacement for a structured path for learning vocabularyThe deck’s vocabulary is limited and focuses on words that include sounds — not the words that you’ll encounter in everyday content.This deck is only going to help you become comfortable with the language’s method of writing sounds.To learn vocabulary, we recommend a frequency based Anki deck instead.
Each Card Contains
- Example words
- Example sentences
- Native speaker audio
- Additional notes for tricky letters
For more information about the Refold Method and all the information you could ever want about language learning, click here!
How to Use Refold German Alphabet Deck Effectively
The Refold German Alphabet deck uses a smart algorithm. Unlike “dumb” flash-cards, Anki (the program that runs our deck) uses a smart review system based on the forgetting curve, this means you’ll be shown a card right before you forget it instead of randomly. You don’t need to plan what letters to study on a given day, just open up the program and the app chooses what you will review for the day.
Steps to using the Refold German Alphabet deck:
- Download and install Anki (click here for our in depth guide)
- Download and install the free German alphabet deck
- Click into your deck to get started
- When studying your flashcards, click or tap the ▶️ button to hear the name of the letter, an example word, and sentence.This will help you associate the sounds of the letter with the shapes. Don’t worry about meaning, just focus on the form!
- Flip the card to see the back side, along with notes about the letter or sound!
- You can track your progress by seeing how many days in a row you did your reviews in the Anki review tab.However, missing a day here and there is totally fine, at Refold we don’t believe in streaks, but in hit rate.
Additional Resources for Learning German
If you’re just getting started in German, don’t worry. We have a complete guide on our site.
Language learning often feels lonely, but you don’t have to go at this alone! We have a FREE online community filled with language learners and teachers! It’s the best place to ask questions, get advice, and make friends with other dedicated language learners just like you!
Your Path to Mastering German Awaits
Reading opens up a world of possibilities, and mastering the German alphabet is your first crucial step in that journey. Our learning deck is designed to be the most effective way to familiarize yourself with the alphabet, paving the way for your reading adventures. Get ready to embark on your path to literacy and discover the richness of the German language!