How to read a book in german by HWgirl

"Never give up :)"

How I did it: Really this took me 2 years, or maybe 4. I told myself I never had the time in university. Maybe true, maybe I was just sick of staring at foreign texts. I dropped out of my German degree over 2 years ago and resolved to never speak the language again. Studying languages had changed from my passion to my ultimate failure really. I tried to forget German and university completely.

Over the Summer I picked up a book and took 45 minutes to read one page in German. I meant to keep reading, but I didn't. Then I went on 2 trips to Germany in quick succession and the language came flooding back. I was completely amazed. When I walked into a bookshop and literally spent an hour picking out books I felt like I was kidding myself, that they'd be like every other foreign book I'd bought in the last 4 years. I was scared of failing again. I felt like I was wasting money. I was also excited.

Even when I started reading the book - even though I enjoyed doing it, was amazed at how easily I could read it - part of me wanted to put it away on a shelf and stop trying. 

I put it aside this time too. Stopped after 40 or so pages and read another book, but this time I made myself go back. I read the full book. I've only ever read short plays in German before and they were over 4 years ago. This is a 400 page non-fiction novel, a legitimate aimed at adults book. To finish it I've sat up for 3 hours straight and barely touched a dictionary. I can hardly believe it. I've wanted this for so long.

Lessons & tips: Never, ever, ever give up. Believe in yourself and push past your doubts. 

Resources: The friend who told me over and over that I can speak German, read German, understand German, even while I repeatedly told her that my German was terrible and I'd forgotten it all. Her faith in me helped me believe it myself.


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Jan 09, 07:15PM PST | 0 comments | 9 cheers


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