Looking for a complete, step-by-step guide to mastering any language? Check out How to Learn Any Language Like a Pro.

There are plenty of German learning resources available. Some are excellent, but others fail to prioritize what truly matters, slowing down your learning progress.

At Languages on Fire, our goal is to maximize your efficiency so you can reach your desired level faster. This guide focuses on the best ways to study German from B1 and beyond, helping you build on your foundation and achieve fluency.

If you’re not at B1 level yet, check out our German course—it will give you a solid foundation and teach you the 1000 most common German words so you can start speaking with confidence.

But what should you do after completing that course? Here are our top recommendations for intermediate and advanced learners.

1. Expand Your Vocabulary with Anki

As you progress, speaking, watching videos, and reading should be your main focus. However, it’s still important to expand and retain new words.

Anki is one of the best tools for vocabulary retention, and at this stage, creating your own flashcards will be essential.

How to use Anki effectively:

• Add words that seem important, but avoid making cards for every unknown word.
• Use sentences sparingly—longer sentences take more time to review.
• Limit vocabulary study—no more than 30% of your total study time should be spent on flashcards. Some words, you’ll just have to let go.

For more tips, check out our Anki guide.

2. Watch German Movies & TV Series

Watching German content is a great way to improve listening skills, but the way you use subtitles matters.

✅ What works:

• German subtitles reinforce listening and reading comprehension.
• No subtitles are ideal for advanced learners, helping with raw listening skills.

❌ What doesn’t work:

• English subtitles shift focus away from German, making listening practice less effective.

How to make the most of watching:

• If watching without subtitles, check the movie transcript afterward for missed parts.
• If no transcript is available, watch once with subtitles, then again without.
• Re-watch your favorite movies or series dubbed in German—you’ll already know the plot, so you can focus on the language.

If Netflix doesn’t offer German dubs in your country, a VPN can help.

For movie suggestions, check out this list on IMDB.

3. Learn with YouTube Videos

YouTube is another great immersion tool, and its shorter format makes it easier to fit into a busy schedule.

Recommended channels:

• Easy German – Features street interviews with native speakers, plus both German and English subtitles.
• Dein Sprachcoach – Maria from Russia knows your struggles. She immigrated to Germany and speaks perfect Germany now. She still has a slight accent though. Very engaging content.
• Content for natives – Once comfortable, start watching native German content that matches your interests. Read about some recommendations here.

For the best results, watch once without subtitles, then again with German subtitles to pick up missed details.

4. Speak as Much German as Possible

No learning resource can replace actual speaking practice. The more you use German, the faster you’ll improve.

Ways to practice speaking:

• If you live in Germany, take every opportunity to practice with locals.
• If you don’t, consider these options:
  • Online tutors on italki or Preply let you practice with native speakers.
  • Language exchange apps like HelloTalk or Tandem connect you with native speakers, though they may not correct mistakes as consistently as a tutor would.
  • Writing practice, such as keeping a German diary, will help reinforce sentence structures. Tutors can correct your texts for accuracy.

Mistakes are a natural part of learning. The key is to practice regularly and not be afraid of making them.

5. Read in German

Reading is one of the best ways to expand your vocabulary naturally. Choosing material that interests you will keep you motivated.

How to get started:

• Re-read your favorite books in German so you can focus on the language rather than the story.
• Read the news in German if you already follow current events.
• Once confident, try German literature—classics like Goethe and Kafka, or contemporary authors.

Try to understand new words from context instead of looking up every unknown word. This helps train your brain to think in German.

For recommendations, check out our this overview.

6. Use German Music for Passive Learning

Music is a great way to reinforce German without feeling like you’re studying. Unlike books or movies, songs can be repeated many times without getting boring.

How to use music effectively:

• Make a playlist of German songs and listen daily.
• Look up the lyrics and read along while listening.
• Sing along—this helps with pronunciation and fluency.

For a curated list, check out this site for a good overview of German songs.

Final Thoughts

At the intermediate and advanced levels, progress comes from active engagement with the language. Watching German content, speaking regularly, expanding vocabulary, and reading interesting material will help you continue improving.

Next steps:

• Immerse yourself in German as much as possible.
• Speak regularly, even if you make mistakes.
• Use Anki to reinforce new vocabulary.
• Read books, news, and articles in German.

For a complete language learning strategy, check out How to Learn Any Language Like a Pro.