You can find German storybooks with English translations. First, read the English version to get the general idea of the story. Then, read the German version, trying to understand as much as possible on your own. Mark the words or phrases you don't understand and study them later. You can also join a German reading group where you can discuss the stories with others learning German.
Reading German stories gives you insights into German culture. You get to understand the values, traditions, and way of thinking of the German people. For example, fairy tales often contain cultural elements. Also, it can be a great form of entertainment. Just like reading stories in your native language, German stories can be exciting, funny, or thought - provoking.
Learning German by reading stories is a great way to improve your overall language skills. It enhances your reading comprehension skills, of course. But it also has an impact on your writing skills as you get to see different writing styles. Moreover, it can be a very enjoyable and relaxing way to learn the language. Instead of feeling pressured by grammar exercises, you can get lost in a good German story and learn subconsciously.
Reading these short stories is a great way to build confidence in learning German. Since they are at A1 level, they are not overly difficult. This allows learners to feel that they can understand and engage with the German language. It also helps in improving reading comprehension skills which are essential for further language learning.
To use it effectively, start with the easier stories. As you read, note down any grammar points that seem new or difficult. You could also find a language partner and discuss the stories with them. This way, you can practice both your speaking and listening skills. For example, you can talk about the plot, the characters, and what you learned from the story.
We can learn about German culture. For example, the values, traditions and social norms of German society might be reflected in these stories. Also, it could improve our German language skills as we encounter different German vocabularies and sentence structures.
We can gain insights into the German language. Since these are short stories in German, we can pick up new vocabulary, grammar structures and common expressions. For example, we might notice how German uses different cases in various situations which is a key feature of the language. Also, we can understand the nuances of German storytelling, such as the pacing, the use of suspense and how characters are developed in a concise manner compared to longer works.
It broadens your literary horizons. You are exposed to different writing styles in both languages. In German, you might encounter the unique narrative styles of German authors, and in English, you can compare how the same story is presented differently. Moreover, it helps in improving your reading comprehension skills in both languages. As you read more, you become better at understanding complex texts, which is beneficial for academic, professional, and personal growth.
Understanding the original German works depends on the individual's level of German, but generally speaking, a higher level of German learning, such as B2, can better understand the original German works.
German grammar and vocabulary were more complicated and required careful study and mastery. At the same time, the pronunciation of German also needs to be grasped very accurately because some pronunciations in German are very different from English, which can easily confuse beginners.
If you want to understand the original German, it is recommended to learn some basic grammar and vocabulary before gradually increasing the difficulty. At the same time, reading more original German works is also a good way to improve your German level. It can train your reading ability and comprehension ability.