10 best German textbooks

Review of the best according to the editorial board. On the selection criteria. This material is subjective and does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.

German, like English and French, is always in demand, despite the growing interest in oriental languages: Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese. Everyone pursues their own interests. Some study because of work or study, some are going on a trip. Someone has more serious intentions – moving to Germany or another German-speaking country for permanent residence. But many simply decided to learn German because of what Goethe, Schiller, Heine, Mann and other great writers who glorified their country all over the world thought and did in this language.

We have included the best German textbooks in our ranking, both for beginners and those who want to improve their level of knowledge. The selection took into account the opinion of professional linguists and the reviews of ordinary people who were able to receive training using the books below.

Ranking of the best German textbooks

Nomination	a place	Name of product	price
Best German textbooks for kids	1	Deutsch fur Kinder / 'German for children' Druchkiv N.Yu., Parshikova E.A.	RUB 250
	2	'Grammar of the German language in tables and diagrams' Aliev S.K.	RUB 60
	3	'The German language for schoolchildren' Matveev S.A.	RUB 400
	4	'German. Time for grammar. For elementary school 'Artemova N., Gavrilova T.	RUB 300
	5	Textbook for kids “German language” Dyadicheva A. V.	RUB 250
Best German textbooks for adults	1	'Practical course of the German language' Zavyalova V. M, Ilyina L. V.	RUB 350
	2	'German for Dummies' by Wendy Foster / Intermediate German For Dummies	1 200 RUB
	3	Short Tutorial 'German in 10 Minutes a Day' by Christine Kershul	RUB 150
	4	'German. 30 lessons. From zero to perfection 'Bogdanov A.V.	240 RUB
	5	'Phonetics. We read and speak German 'Guz M.N., Sitnikova I.O.	RUB 500

Best German textbooks for kids

Deutsch fur Kinder / 'German for children' Druchkiv N.Yu., Parshikova E.A.

Rating: 4.9

The first place in the rating is occupied by the textbook of Russian linguists N.Yu. Druchkiv and E.A. Parshikova. It is intended for children of primary school age who attend all types of educational institutions: both general education and specialized. The authors have created a methodology that at the initial stage will help you learn foreign language communication and love the German language.

It is based on a communicative-game system that takes into account the psychophysiological characteristics of the child as much as possible, as well as his needs. Vivid illustrations, which are the practical consolidation of theoretical skills, will help to interest him. After Deutsch fur Kinder, you can safely move on to more complex training. The child will be prepared for a new level.

The book will help you learn basic colloquial words and expressions, introduce you to the phonetics of pronunciation. It is used when working with parents or educators. Both of them gave a solid 'five' for simplicity, accessibility and efficiency and recognized the technique as very effective.

Advantages

• the program developed by the authors;
• interesting presentation for children;
• quick memorization and repetition in practice;
• compliance with age needs;
• many examples and pictures.

disadvantages

• not detected.

'Grammar of the German language in tables and diagrams' Aliev S.K.

Rating: 4.8

The honorable second place in the rating goes to the textbook of the famous Russian linguist S.K. Alieva. It will help schoolchildren at the initial stage to learn the basic grammatical rules of the German language in an accessible form and will allow them to further receive more in-depth knowledge, relying on the passed base. Many linguistic tutors use it as a guide for adult beginners as well.

Practical tasks, as well as diagrams and tables, which will help you quickly navigate new lessons, contribute to the easy digestibility of the material. The feed is very affordable and simple. Many people use the textbook to master the German language on their own, some – when studying with a teacher.

According to reviews, 'Grammar of the German language in tables and charts', unlike other similar publications, makes it possible to learn and consolidate the basic rules in a short time. Clear and detailed explanations come with backed up tutorials, theoretical and practical exercises. Another plus: the book can be used by the whole family, from elementary schoolchildren to adults.

Advantages

• basic grammar rules;
• tables and diagrams for better assimilation;
• for all ages;
• self-education or with a tutor;
• availability and clarity of the presentation of the material.

disadvantages

• not detected.

'The German language for schoolchildren' Matveev S.A.

Rating: 4.7

The bronze of the rating deservedly goes to the manual for those who are just beginning to learn and learn a new foreign language. The author used his many years of experience and teaching practice. The methodology exactly matches the child's capabilities, does not overload, the material is presented easily and interestingly. It is recommended to conduct the training independently, contacting parents or teachers only in cases of additional clarification.

For better assimilation, the program is divided into topics. Each of them comes with a dictionary with new words, as well as simple texts and dialogues. The topics are varied: my family, transportation, animals, toys, dishes, food, seasons and many other subgroups that are most compatible with the age of the student. The book includes a part where it talks about the basic rules of grammar. The child will be able to learn how to read German words and sentences.

According to reviews, the manual really interests the child, does not let him get bored, he does not want to stop, but wants to continue learning. Many parents noted that it was with this textbook that they managed to instill a younger student's love for a foreign language.

Advantages

• fascinating presentation of the material;
• study of phonetics and grammar;
• many interesting exercises;
• wide range of vocabulary topics;
• the program matches the capabilities of the children.

disadvantages

• not detected.

'German. Time for grammar. For elementary school 'Artemova N., Gavrilova T.

Rating: 4.6

The fourth line of the ranking is occupied by the manual, which is used both in general education school programs and in individual lessons of a child, regardless of the basic level of knowledge. The material complies with state standards and is the best manual for primary school students. The main advantages of the book are lightness, simplicity and comprehensibility for children.

Artemova N. and Gavrilova T. – practicing linguistic teachers, authors of books on the study of the German language, approved by the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation. A large number of visual aids allows you to consolidate the knowledge gained. The exercises vary in level of difficulty, but they correspond to age development and will not confuse the child when solving them.

The respondents noted that the manual is really very easy to understand, children are happy to study using it both at school and with tutors. It is included in the list of textbooks recommended for use in educational institutions, which is another undoubted argument when choosing it.

Advantages

• corresponds to primary school age;
• simple and child-friendly serving;
• interesting and exciting technique;
• consolidation with tasks of varying complexity;
• compatible with all basic tutorials.

disadvantages

• not detected.

Textbook for kids “German language” Dyadicheva A. V.

Rating: 4.5

In fifth place in the ranking is a textbook for children who are just beginning to get acquainted with a new, incomprehensible language. It will help you get to know German culture, love speech, and will be the start for mastering it. The manual covers various school programs. The child, under the guidance of parents, will be able to easily learn words and expressions, pronounce them correctly, and translate texts.

The book consists of 19 lessons, which include theoretical lessons, supported by practical exercises. The presentation of the material is carried out in an easy playful way, so the child will not get tired or bored. For clarity, bright, colorful illustrations are presented. Conversational models will help you quickly and easily start communicating in a foreign language from the very beginning of your studies.

Parents confirmed the effectiveness of A.V. Dyadicheva's method. It helps in the shortest possible time to confidently master the basic words from the German lexicon that correspond to the age of the child. Children are happy to learn new expressions, begin to understand the most common ones.

Advantages

• an interesting and understandable methodology for children;
• many illustrations;
• exciting tasks;
• educational games;
• quick memorization of material.

disadvantages

• not detected.

Best German textbooks for adults

'Practical course of the German language' Zavyalova V. M, Ilyina L. V.

Rating: 4.9

On the first line of the rating is a manual that will help you to master the language and communicate fluently with German-speaking interlocutors on everyday and business topics in the shortest possible time. The course is very understandable even for those who have never come across the teaching of this foreign language. It will be the starting point for a more serious development of German. The authors are professors-linguists V.M. Zavyalova and L.V. Ilyina.

There are 19 lessons in total. They include a brief overview of grammar rules, texts on more common (everyday) topics, systems of lexical exercises. Learning takes place in an easy and accessible form, mastering the lesson does not cause difficulties, after the theory it is necessary to go through practical tasks, if necessary, using the lesson dictionary located on the last pages.

The publication broadly covers topics such as 'Accommodation in a hotel', 'Geography in Germany', 'Sport', 'Internet', 'Traveling by car, train, plane' and many other dialogues that will help you get used to a foreign country. The manual is often used by tutors and German teachers to prepare for exams or tests for the level of knowledge.

Advantages

• clear presentation;
• complies with state standards;
• for a wide range of students;
• a lot of training exercises;
• for beginners and language learners.

disadvantages

• not detected.

'German for Dummies' by Wendy Foster / Intermediate German For Dummies

Rating: 4.8

In second place in the ranking is a manual for beginners, or rather for 'dummies' – those who have just decided on self-education and have no language skills. It is worth noting that the book will not only teach basic international words and phrases in order to simply communicate in a European country. With it, you can master the basic grammatical rules and phonetics, and most importantly – learn the features of the German language for further learning.

In the manual after theory, practical exercises are provided for better memorization of words. Lots of examples will make the tutorial clearer. Exercises will help you improve your pronunciation and bring it as close to native speakers as possible.

Many respondents who chose this textbook for self-education noted the ease and accessibility of presentation, no difficulties either with theory or practice did not arise. After studying, they could speak in German-speaking countries on everyday and even business topics. According to reviews, this is one of the best books for beginners, and it is with her that it is advised to start acquaintance with a foreign language.

Advantages

• for the zero level;
• grammar rules and pronunciation;
• clear and accessible presentation;
• good strengthening exercises;
• fast assimilation of the program.

disadvantages

• not detected.

Short Tutorial 'German in 10 Minutes a Day' by Christine Kershul

Rating: 4.7

The third place in the ranking is taken by the manual, which is recommended for those who do not have the opportunity to attend language courses, but do not know where to start home schooling. Its author is the famous American writer and linguist Christine Kershul. Despite the fact that the work is already over 30 years old, it still has not lost its relevance and is in demand among people of all ages.

The textbook will not give deep knowledge of German, but after spending only 10 minutes a day, you can learn to communicate freely with the inhabitants of Germany, Austria, Switzerland. The author recommends that you do not skip the learning steps and be sure to start with 'Step 1' even if you already possess these skills to some extent. To consolidate, you must repeat the material covered. If some expressions cause difficulties, then you can always use the dictionary.

The training is easy. The manual contains puzzles and rebuses, pictures, as well as a list of the most used expressions and words. According to reviews, the textbook helped to master the necessary level of knowledge of the German language for quite understandable communication. A convenient pronunciation system helps a lot in the learning process. Many people recommend the book by K. Kershul for quickly mastering spoken German.

Advantages

• lesson – only 10 minutes a day;
• fast assimilation of the program;
• clear aids for better memorization;
• a wide vocabulary for communication;
• unique pronunciation system.

disadvantages

• exclusively spoken language, does not teach grammar.

'German. 30 lessons. From zero to perfection 'Bogdanov A.V.

Rating: 4.6

The fourth line of the rating is the book of the famous linguist Alexander Vladimirovich Bogdanov, who, thanks to many years of practice, managed to create a unique training system and began to use it from the beginning of the 90s of the XX century. It will help people even with a zero level of knowledge in 30 lessons to master the German language, to understand speech fluently, and to express themselves easily.

The first lesson starts with basic pronunciation rules. After learning them, you can proceed to more complex lessons. The material is presented easily, some points are even in a joking form, which allows you not to dwell on some difficult points, but to deal with them using both theoretical and practical exercises.

All respondents spoke extremely positively about the author, his style and method. After studying, everyone was able to read confidently, translate even without a dictionary, and communicate with the German-speaking population. Many noted the quite affordable cost of the textbook and recommend not to postpone the purchase, but to immediately start the course.

Advantages

• own author's technique;
• emphasis on phonetic rules;
• free spoken language;
• easy feed;
• good practice exercises.

disadvantages

• not detected.

'Phonetics. We read and speak German 'Guz M.N., Sitnikova I.O.

Rating: 4.5

The rating ends with a manual that in a short time will teach the phonetic features of the German language, help to master pronunciation skills and freely communicate with the local population of Germany or Austria. It includes theoretical exercises that are quite easy and accessible to students, and even a beginner will not experience difficulties. The book is recommended both for independent study and for taking a course with a teacher.

The first stage includes familiarization with the peculiarities of pronunciation, basic information about phonetics. It ends with practical setting exercises. Next comes the characteristics of the sounds, a detailed analysis of each, as well as the features of their articulation. The authors will reveal the main rules of reading and spelling. The third part is entirely devoted to German intonation. Learn about melody and phrasal stress here.

The final stage is additional training tasks and tongue twisters. At the end of the edition, a dictionary with basic words and expressions is presented. According to reviews, the book helps to quickly learn the pronunciation of native speakers, who then perfectly understand speech, and the person himself communicates freely with them.

Advantages

• intensive pronunciation program;
• reinforcing practical exercises;
• available feed;
• phonetic features of the language;
• free communication in German.

disadvantages

• not detected.

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Attention! This rating is subjective and does not constitute an advertisement and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.