(Part 2) Top products from r/German

Hammer's German and Usage

Hammer's German and Usage Workbook

German Grammar drills

Secondary grammar book

Personally, Hammer's Grammar book is quite enough. It is around 500 pages of dry grammar. It is very well constructed and very easy to understand, get it with workbook. It is logical, as it teaches you from the most essential and easiest structures. Nouns -> genders, -> cases, that way it is easier to learn.

Secondary Grammar book is not necessary.

Advice her to use Anki, its a very helpful tool i think for the most easiest words to learn. Especially it helps a lot with German genders.

I taught myself german while I was in highschool and I am still teaching myself in college (almost 4 years now). What really helped me was to make a reference notebook as I learned things. In it I had conjugation charts, article charts, noun case charts, sentence structure references, and some specific irregular verbs conjugated out. In the back I had a list of common words I had to remember and a list of irregular verbs with their rules. There's tons of good references for conjugations and such on google images if you don't feel like writing and drawing it all out on your own. It really helps you see the patterns which will help you form your own sentences on your own easier, since imo Duolingo doesn't do a great job teaching you the speech and grammar patterns and just throws it at you in a trial-and-error learning method.

Along with my reference notebook and duolingo, I got some inexpensive grammar workbooks from amazon. There are plenty of free online worksheets too, but I like having everything in one place and it basically gave me a curriculum to follow. I worked on this pronouns and prepositions one and this verb tense one simultaneously going chapter by chapter, then after finishing them and a lot more duolingo moved on to Intermediate Grammar. This series has so many options, but these three I felt were more difficult and not as well-covered by Duolingo, which definitely covers a ton of vocabulary and conversational grammar. here may be some overlap, but practice is practice and it will only help you.

I have not stopped using Duolingo either. Always do the speech prompts during practice! Pronunciation is one of the hardest parts to learn, since you have to make completely new mouth shapes. I didn't have anyone to practice speaking with so I practiced by reading passages and repeating the questions and answers on Duolingo. The Stories feature on desktop duolingo is great for this!

I'm very happy with the book I've been using: Langenscheidt Basic German Vocabulary. It has the top 4,000 German words. Nouns genders are given along with the genitive and plural forms. Three forms of each verb are shown. Every word is used in at least one example sentence and every sentence is comprised of words from the book. Honestly I bought it due to the high quality example sentences.

Every day I create flashcards in Anki using material from the book. I'm currently up to chapter five. This approach is making my Duolingo studies much easier since Anki does a better job at getting me to remember vocab than Duolingo does.

Here are some things I found on amazon:

Vocabulary:

1. https://www.amazon.de/dp/3190094705/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_z7sQCbPQN42A7 (especially for forgein kids)
   
2. https://www.amazon.de/dp/3190079218/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_h9sQCbA1PKQBG (a picture book for adults)
   
3. https://www.amazon.de/dp/3468489536/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_qatQCbKRG0YN9 (these are cards with pictures and the fitting words on them; I used something like that with a russian kid (didn’t speak german at all) at my elementary school myself and had great experience)
   
4. https://www.amazon.de/dp/3125160855/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_QgtQCbZW367FD (in my opinion the best one; have the same for russian)
   
   Grammar (and Vocabs):
   
   
5. https://www.amazon.de/dp/0008141789/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_fftQCb06X0H77
   
6. https://www.amazon.de/dp/312562858X/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_DjtQCbJZ6ZWXE
   
   There are also some good allrounders from the publisher „PONS“ or „Langenscheidt“

When I first began learning German I relied heavily on Skype. I really believe that by talking with people who are natives you will really begin to get a feel for the language. I think using applications such as Duolingo, Pimsleur, AccelaStudy, Babble, and BYKI really do help teach you vocabulary (and you should absolutely continue using the ones you mentioned); there is no substitute with good 'ol fashioned communication. I used The Mixxer and SharedTalk to find natives to speak with.

I also used this book and this book. Although I'm sure any old grammar book would work just fine. If you want to practice I'm happy to help; even though, I can not offer the type of assistance that a native could.

Actually, practice makes perfect has a whole series of books. I like the "complete german grammar" book for starters. I may pick up the one that is preposition specific at some point.

Practice Makes Perfect Complete German Grammar (Practice Makes Perfect (McGraw-Hill)) https://www.amazon.com/dp/0071763600/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_pruaCbWNK5EAA

Maus by Art Spiegelmann.

> Maus is a graphic novel completed in 1991 by American cartoonist Art Spiegelman.
> It depicts Spiegelman interviewing his father about his experiences as a Polish Jew and Holocaust survivor. The book uses postmodern techniques—most strikingly in its depiction of races of humans as different kinds of animals, with Jews as mice, Germans as cats and non-Jewish Poles as pigs.
> Maus has been described as memoir, biography, history, fiction, autobiography, or a mix of genres. In 1992 it became the first graphic novel to win a Pulitzer Prize.

You can buy it here.

I've only done the Telc Exam, but when i ordered the prep book, i noticed there was also a version for Goethe. I can HIGHLY recommend these books, they are excellent prep.

https://www.amazon.de/Mit-Erfolg-zum-Goethe-Zertifikat-B2/dp/3126758312/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1540320623&sr=8-1&keywords=Klett+b2+goethe

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https://www.amazon.de/Mit-Erfolg-zum-Goethe-Zertifikat-Übungsbuch/dp/3126758304/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1540320623&sr=8-2&keywords=Klett+b2+goethe

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You will need both. Dedicate some goals and times and stick with it.

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The only thing missing will be practice for the mundlich part (Sprechen). For that, i suggest you arrange some Skype sessions with someone who is well versed in how that part is graded and do some practices with them.

This book of selected Grimm's Fairy Tales. Yes, I know--I was skeptical, too, when my wife gave it to me for Christmas. But it's now my favorite German-learning book.

1. The grammar is simple, even compared to Harry Potter.
   
   
2. The vocabulary is pretty simple, too, though it is a little bit dated.
   
   
3. Best of all, it has German on the left page and English on the right, so you save tons of time looking up unfamiliar words. Just a quick glance across!
   
   
4. The stories are metal. When dismembered corpses start falling down the chimney, you know you're not in Disneyland.

I don't know how good it is for complete beginners, but my teacher recommended the Schaum textbook for German. It's well written, explains grammar and illustrates key points with lots of examples.

Edit: And importantly it is in English as well as German

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Schaums-Outline-German-Grammar/dp/0070251347/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1540720051&sr=8-3&keywords=schaum+german+grammar

• Complete German Grammar
  
• German Vocabulary
  
• German Conversation
  
• German Sentence Builder
  
  These are the ones I own and think they are really good. I recommend that if you can find a good quality used version for cheap. I would get it. I rarely buy them brand new.

It's not sold by amazon directly but a third party.
Also it's the 7th edition not the 8th so probably sold like a rare item though it's only outdated.

http://www.amazon.de/Mit-Erfolg-zum-Goethe-Zertifikat-%C3%9Cbungsbuch/dp/3126758304

http://www.amazon.de/Pr%C3%BCfungstraining-DaF-Goethe-Zertifikat-bungsbuch-Antwortbgen/dp/3060205302

http://www.amazon.de/Fit-f%C3%BCrs-Goethe-Zertifikat-Pr%C3%BCfungstraining-Deutsch-Fremdsprache/dp/319001874X/

Probably these books can be illegally downloaded.

Good luck with your exam!

"I know the thing what you speak exact now. Talk me more, plus, please, plus." :D

A plus plus good book for anyone learning any foreign language.

e: Here is the book (since Nirocalden already included a link to an excerpt of the book at esquire.com)
https://www.amazon.com/Me-Talk-Pretty-One-Day/dp/0316776963

I've been using German Grammar Drills and German Verb Drills
Both are really good resources with plenty of practice. I think the verb drills book has an online component as well.

Most textbooks are meant to be used in an immersive language classroom where the teacher is using gesture and other techniques to make the German instructions/explanations clear.

If you have no choice but to learn entirely alone, I would suggest doing something like duolingo or another self-teaching, vocab-heavy method to prepare yourself for the traditional textbooks.

You might also look for older textbooks from before the communicative approach was popular, or textbooks meant for reading and translation classes if you're not concerned with oral proficiency.

So to give you a somewhat serious response I recommend getting a beginner german grammar book. I found this one. Note that I haven't used this specific one but I had a different one from the same series that was more geared towards my level of German. If you strive to make that kind of process in such a small window you'll need to work through books quite quickly in addition to using other methods to immerse yourself constantly. I recommend hiring a tutor for as much time as you can afford.

There is the basic german vocabulary by Langenscheidt, it contains the (according to them) 4000 most common words, divided in the 2000 most common and the 2000 after them, subdivided in topics and with example sentences, I have a copy of it and when I first started learning German I found it very useful to expand my vocabulary, paired with a flashcards software.

They also list gender and plural forms of nouns and past and imperfect forms of verbs when irregular

I use:

Starter Kit

• Living Language German
  
  Understanding Grammar
  
  
• [English Grammar for Students of German Learning]
  (https://www.amazon.com/English-Grammar-Students-German-Learning/dp/0934034389/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1540389052&sr=8-2&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=german+for+english+speakers&dpPl=1&dpID=41RAyW9uzAL&ref=plSrch)
  
  Verb overview with full conjugations and sample sentences
  
  
• 501 German Verbs
  
  Grammar exercises (this is great but in 100% German)
  
  
• Hueber dictionaries and study-aids: Schritte Ubungsgrammatik
  
  I have some online resources but prefer books. I also think these don’t „expire“ too soon and you can use them into A2. If you find used versions, it’s not too expensive.

I think I might have an idea for the comic - this German version of the xkcd book.

It's a (humorous) encyclopedia where complicated stuff is explained with the 1000 most-used English words, so I guess it could fit here for German as well. Also, it's a hoot.

Edit: link because somehow it didn't show up at first

Fair enough, here's the URI: /dp/B07KDC28TY

For those reading this later: just add that ^ to your usual amazon domain in the address bar

I prefer Langenscheidt as well. Here's a link to Amazon US:

https://www.amazon.com/Langenscheidt-Grosswoerterbuch-Deutsch-als-Fremdsprache/dp/3468490399

Ja natuerlich!

"Da war mal was" is good if you're interested in the DDR and life after the Mauerfall.
https://www.amazon.de/war-mal-was-Flix/dp/3551789681

"Maus" is a heartbreaking story of a Holocaust survivor. It was originally in English, I think, but the German version is here.
https://www.amazon.de/Die-vollst%C3%A4ndige-Maus-Art-Spiegelman/dp/3596180945

"Wir Koennen Ja Freunde Blieben" was ganz okay in my opinion. I didn't like it as much as the others, but you might.
https://www.amazon.de/Wir-k%C3%B6nnen-ja-Freunde-bleiben/dp/3938511168/ref=sr_1_sc_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1501606187&sr=1-1-spell&keywords=wir+konnen+ja+freunde+blieben

There is only one Duden, it is called Duden, you get them on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Duden-Universalw%C3%B6rterbuch-umfassende-Bedeutungsw%C3%B6rterbuch-Gegenwartssprache/dp/3411055081/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1494428239&sr=1-1&keywords=Duden

Here is the Brother's Grimm book that I have.

Maybe Der Ding-Erklärer (the German translation of Randall Munro's Thing Explainer)? https://www.amazon.de/dp/3813507157/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_qhodBb143TQ9Y

As of right now I have, German Grammar Drills,Intermediate German Grammar, and German Pronouns and Prepositions. I plan on buying the rest sometime this mouth. I'm even going to get them in some other languages too.

I'm not sure what reader is, but have you considered the following:

• Hammer's German Grammar and Usage
  
• Practising German Grammar
  
  Hammer's German Grammar and Usage is the definitive grammar reference, and the Practising German Grammar workbook is based on the grammar book.

Ich habe keine ahnung. Vielliecht ein Buch von ein Lesekurs? I always look at the books German programs use in the upper division.

https://www.amazon.com/Deutschland-Zeitalter-Globalisierung-fortgeschrittene-Deutschlernende/dp/0300191618

This is the book my uni uses for upper division reading course. Look around at uni syllabi and find a book that you would like.

Here's the source for some books from the subreddit's discord:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1LwmGt7B6qLF1FLChiKUCO7PRLUIKLbd8_gwOyVIEzv8/edit#heading=h.kkewppowlpkl

Kompetenzniveau B2:

> Kann die Hauptinhalte komplexer Texte zu konkreten und abstrakten Themen verstehen; versteht im eigenen Spezialgebiet auch Fachdiskussionen. [..] Kann sich zu einem breiten Themenspektrum klar und detailliert ausdrücken [..]

Es ist vielleicht sinnvoller, ein Wörterbuch für Fremdsprachler zu kaufen, z.B. https://www.amazon.de/Langenscheidt-Gro%C3%9Fw%C3%B6rterbuch-Deutsch-Fremdsprache-Online-Anbindung/dp/3468490399/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&qid=1526623000&sr=8-15&keywords=deutsch+als+fremdsprache.

Eine reine Wortliste reicht für B2 nicht mehr, da die Begriffe immer mehr vom Kontext abhängen. Ohne Informationen zum Kontext kann man später Probleme bekommen. Ich kenne Leute, die Wörterbücher auswendig lernen und C2-Wortschatz verwenden, deren Sätze dann aber oft leider unverständlich werden, so dass sie nur schwer auf Level B2 kommen.

Außerdem brauchst du noch den Wortschatz für Fachdiskussionen zu deinem "Spezialgebiet" (z.B. aus deinem Beruf oder deiner Lebenssituation).