Reading regularly in German does much more than improve your vocabulary. It also strengthens your grammar, sentence structure, and overall language intuition almost automatically.
Unlike memorizing isolated vocabulary lists, reading introduces new words in context, making them easier to understand and remember.
Even just 15 to 20 minutes of reading each day can make a significant difference over time.
At the beginning of your learning journey, books should not be too long or too difficult.
The following are especially recommended:
Children's books
Easy-to-read books
Short stories
Bilingual books
German as a Foreign Language (DaF) readers
The most important thing is that you understand most of the text without having to look up every second word.
As your German improves, you can gradually move on to more challenging literature.
Good choices include:
Novels
Crime novels
Biographies
Non-fiction books
Newspaper articles
Short novels
Choose topics that genuinely interest you. Reading becomes much easier—and more enjoyable—when you're interested in the subject.
Try not to translate every unfamiliar word immediately.
Highlight important words and continue reading the paragraph first.
In many cases, you can understand the meaning from the context.
Afterward, write the new vocabulary in a notebook and try to use it in your own sentences.
Books are an excellent complement to a German course.
They help you expand your vocabulary, improve reading comprehension, and communicate more confidently in German.
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About the Author
AKAZA Education
The telc B2 exam requires a higher level of German than the B1 exam. Success depends not only on language skills but also on structured preparation, effective exam strategies, and regular practice. Learn how to prepare step by step and approach your exam with confidence.