Dateline: 06/22/98 (Updated: 11/01/99)
This week we offer a guide to using audio cassettes and CDs for learning German. Plus, we point out how you can also do some of your listening online.
The first time I ever wanted to learn a foreign language for a trip, the audio portion of the self-instruction package was on these round, black disks made of vinyl... what did they call them? Oh yeah, records. They were called records.
I'm purposely dating myself here to emphasize just how convenient audio cassettes are in comparison to the several platters (and a record player) once required for audio language courses not that long ago. Even though cassettes have themselves now largely been replaced by CDs when it comes to music, cassettes are still alive and well when it comes to the spoken word... even if CDs are coming on strong as well.
Audio Books
Audio books (Hörbücher) have become big business. Part of their popularity derives from the benefit of being able to listen to a book at times when you otherwise couldn't read a book--as when driving your car. The selection of audio books in German has increased in recent years. Audio books can also be played on your car's cassette or CD deck (or on a portable machine) during your daily commute--utilizing time that might otherwise go unused.
Audio Courses
Similarly, language courses on cassette or CD can be used just about anywhere--even during a flight to Austria, Germany, or Switzerland--for a last-minute brush-up on when and how to say "Servus!," "Guten Tag!" or "Gemütlichkeit." Students can use them as a supplement to course work. Business people find these cassette/CD courses particularly useful for helping them be more effective on the road in Europe or elsewhere.
As a convenience for anyone trying to learn German, we have recently added many more audio cassette courses for German and even a few CDs to our Bookstore listings. The available audio courses offer instruction or audio phrase books for every level. We list courses designed for children, for business people, for beginners, and for those who want to improve their existing German skills.
Schau ins Land
One other audio category is worth special mention. This applies more to intermediate or advanced learners, but it can also be helpful for advanced beginners. We're talking about the Schau ins Land audio magazine series for German. Subscribers to this series receive monthly audio cassettes with authentic German language segments on a variety of topics. Each issue includes a helpful annotated script and a glossary. I have used the Schau ins Land program myself in the past, and I can recommend it highly.
Listening Online
Yet another source of German audio is virtually free! In our Net Links for Listening you'll find many sites that offer RealAudio listening from radio and TV stations in German Europe. There is no better way to regularly hear authentic German! While online listening won't replace some of the audio options we have already discussed here, it is an important additonal resource for anyone learning German. (For more on listening, see our article entitled "Are You Listening?", which tells you why you should be.)
Whether you're just starting out or have been learning German for a long time, take a look at some of the audio choices available. I think you'll find something that sounds good to you.
Related Links
Amazon.de
Are You Listening?
Book, Software, and Video Reviews
Bookstore
German Complete Course - Review
Listening
Online Video/TV
Schau ins Land
Software
Software for Learning German
Videostore
German Chat
Join Our German Forum
Net Links for German
Articles by Category
For intermediate and advanced learners: AUDIO BOOKS in German! Once there, do a search with the keyword "Hörbuch" ("hoerbuch") to find titles you like.
Why you should be! From your Guide.
Reviews of audio, video, and other materials for learning German. With links to online sources. From your Guide.
Your Guide's selection of books, audio cassettes, and CDs for learning German.
A close look at this learning program from Living Language. From your Guide.
Many links for online listening in German. From your Guide.
NetLinks for watching online video in German. From your Guide.
A monthly audio magazine series for German. Also editions for Italian, French and Spanish. See comments above for the German series.
Net Links from your Guide for software to learn German.
A survey of various CD-ROM programs and audio courses. From your Guide.
Videos selected by your Guide and related to the German language and culture.
Chat in German or English.
Exchange information in German or English!
A complete list of Net links in many categories from your Guide.
A complete list of past features, arranged by topic, from your Guide.