How to learn German with the online streaming service ARD Mediathek ?

Do you want to learn German but are having trouble finding interesting and affordable content? You like your lesson or course, but you would like additional activities. “German Everywhere” introduces you to the German public service online platforms, which offer a large amount of content that can make your language learning both entertaining and effective.

Why learning german with ARD i ZDF Mediathek?

ARD and ZDF are the two largest public broadcasters in Germany. ARD stands for “Association of the public broadcasters of the Federal Republic of Germany” and translated means “Association of the public broadcasters of the Federal Republic of Germany”. ZDF stands for “Second German Television”.

“Mediathek” is an online platform from ARD and ZDF where users can access a variety of content, including TV shows, documentaries, news and other programs broadcast on their channels. It allows viewers to stream content on-demand, often for a specific period of time after it has aired on television. Users can watch shows they missed or rewatch their favorite shows at their convenience.

And why the ARD and ZDF media libraries can be such important tools for learning the German language?

Because in their wide range they offer above all and it has proven to be one of the good options for learning German online:

Authentic content: The media library offers an extensive range of programs in German, including news, documentaries, TV shows and more. By enjoying authentic German content, you will get a feel for the language as it is used in real and everyday situations.

Flexibility: With Mediatheca you have the freedom to watch content at your own pace and on your schedule. Whether you have five minutes or an hour, you can always set aside some time to practice your German whenever it suits you.

Variety: No matter what your interests are, you're sure to find something interesting in the media library's extensive catalog. From current events to entertainment to educational programs, news or comedy shows, there is content to suit every taste and learning style.

How to start?

Browse the catalog: Start by browsing the media library catalog to get an overview of the content available. You can search by category, genre, or keyword to find programs that interest you.

Choose beginner-friendly content: As a beginner, you want to start with content that is accessible and easy to understand. Look for programs with simple language, clear pronunciation, and maybe even subtitles to help you learn. Children's programs are suitable as an introduction, especially the classic “The Show with the Mouse”, which offers both an entertaining and educational program and occupies an important place in the general culture of Germans.

Set realistic goals: Be realistic about your language learning goals and expectations. Start with shorter shows or segments and gradually progress to longer and more complex content as your language improves.

Engaged Learning: As you watch, actively engage with the content by listening carefully, repeating sentences out loud, and attempting to follow the dialogue. Don't worry if you don't understand everything right away - focus on learning new words and phrases based on context.

Use subtitles: Many media library programs offer subtitles, which can be extremely useful when learning a language. Start watching with German subtitles to strengthen your reading skills, and as your language skills increase, you can try watching without subtitles if you feel more confident with online learning.

Practice regularly: Like any skill, learning a language requires regular practice. Try to integrate regular viewing of German media content into your everyday life, even if it's just a few minutes a day. In the past, people were happy if they had a few German channels on the cable network, so now everything is available online.

Learning German with the ARD and ZDF media library is not only effective, but also fun. So why wait? Get started today. Like to learn!

P.S. Another little tip: To make all content available to you, install a VPN, one of the free tools for monitoring third-party content.