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Sunday, February 16th
Ouino is one of the newer language learning platforms in our review. Started in 2021 by "a small family of language lovers,” they teach French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, and of course, German. They guarantee that their way is the best way to learn German, and if you don't agree, they'll refund you your money. We go into detail about how Ouino works here, but if you want even more, you can find a set of 13 articles on their website that covers every question you could possibly have about why they built it the way they did.
Ouino encourages a well-rounded approach to learning German
Ouino really gets it right with their approach to language learning. They've built a platform that fits everyone's style: whether you're an auditory learner or do best with a text-based approach, you can focus on the exercises that you know help you improve the fastest. They also understand that language learning isn't just about checking off lessons, but also about using the language in real life. That's why they let you note down days when you've practiced German outside their platform, whether that's through conversation, reading German books, or watching German movies. We think this goes a long way to prove Ouino's stated love for language learning - they really want you to learn German, not just spend all your time on their platform. And, if you ever need to get in touch with customer support, you'll be talking directly to the people who created Ouino. These guys are truly passionate about what they do, and it shows in every aspect of their platform.
Learn according to your pace, style, and interests
On the home page of Ouino, you'll find five ways to better your German: "Building Blocks” to learn sentence structure and grammar, "Verbs & Conjugation” to understand verb usage, "Vocabulary” for expanding your lexicon, "Conversations” for language practice, and "Pronunciation” to perfect your speech. You can choose to explore these areas at your own pace or follow Ouino's "Recommended Learning Path” if you're not sure where to start. Just a small note on the "Conversations” section: we think it would be helpful if Ouino showed both the direct and common translations of German dialogue. For example, the phrase "Ich heiße" is translated as "my name is", but it actually means "I am called". Seeing both translations can help you start to think in German. One of the other German lesson platforms in our review provides literal translations, and we missed having that on hand as we studied with Ouino.
Learn German in full sentences at a time
Ouino helps you remember German vocabulary by building on what you know. You'll see full German sentences from the very first lesson, but don't freak out (nicht ausflippen) - you only need to focus on words highlighted in red. The other words will be in blue. This method is effective because you learn new words in context, adding an element of challenge. For instance, you might first see "ich mag" in red in a sentence, and later, these words will be blue, surrounding a new red word you're learning, like "ich mag den Apfel," where "den Apfel" is red. Over time, you'll start to understand all the blue words because you've seen them as red words before.
Ouino explains grammar carefully
Unlike other language programs that gloss over German grammar, Ouino really takes the time to help you understand it. Take verb conjugation, for example - an important feature of any language. While most platforms just kick you a one-off question in the middle of a vocabulary lesson or ignore it altogether, Ouino has dedicated activities for helping you learn how verb endings change in different tenses. And, if you ever come across a sentence you don't understand, you can click "show sentence explanation" for a full breakdown of the grammar. Nothing on Ouino feels like it's a template reused from their other language lessons. It feels like someone with a lot of German expertise has gone over everything with a fine-toothed comb and anticipated, then answered, any questions you might have.
Exercises that test your actual knowledge, not your guessing abilities
When you select a topic in Ouino, you have several ways to learn it. You can click through a comprehensive lesson with audio explanations of your objectives and nuances of the grammar, simply listen to audio playback at a speed that suits you, or jump straight into the exercises. The exercises are ordered from easiest to hardest. You might be matching images with words in the "Beginner's Luck” exercise, translating what you hear in "Be All Ears”, writing words in "Write-a-Word”, or answering timed questions in "Fluency Sprint”. We were particularly happy to see those last two exercises - being made to write without hints is really effective in assessing your true understanding. Unlike other language platforms that use multiple-choice word banks, Ouino makes you come up with answers on your own. This ensures you're not just recognizing words, but actually demonstrating your ability to recall them accurately, which is especially important in a language like German where an accent can totally change the meaning (take, for example, schwul vs. schwül).
Self-assessed speaking practice
In Ouino, you won't find voice recognition for German pronunciation practice because pretty much all voice recognition software has trouble picking up the subtle nuances of accents. (If the Green Bird App told you you were fluent, we're sorry you have to find out this way.) Instead, you have the opportunity to record your own voice and compare it with a native speaker's pronunciation. This allows you to adjust and practice until you're happy with how you sound. Ouino even gives you English hints to help you wrap your mind around the German sounds you're trying to mimic. You can select the length and difficulty level of the sentences you practice with, and there are thousands of phrases available in the "Extra Language Practice" section for you to work on.
Free demo available
Want to try Ouino's German lessons for yourself? You can download a free demo of their German lessons to your computer or use the web version, though it's a little bit slower. We did find the software to be a little slow to respond as well, but we haven't found any complaints about it from any Ouino users, so it could be that it's just an issue with the demo.
From $3.99 to $12.99 a month, depending on plan
Ouino offers four plans for learning a new language.
In all these plans, you can use Ouino on basically any kind of device and your progress syncs across them. However, only the Lifetime Access plan gives you personal language mentoring.
A fan favorite
Users are seriously loving Ouino for learning German. They especially appreciate the focus on getting the grammar right. As one user said, Ouino "greatly outshines” its better-known competitors (you probably know which ones). Another user loves the repetition and finds typing super beneficial for muscle memory and spelling. They've been following the recommended learning path and rave about the lessons being "fun, informative and beneficial." One user even said they were reading and understanding German texts online within a month - wie cool ist das, bitte? Being able to use Ouino without an internet connection is a big win for a lot of people, and let's not forget about the customer service: the Ouino team is always ready to help out. When we checked them out on Trustpilot (where they currently have 4.8 stars), we could always find them responding personably and enthusiastically to customer feedback and questions.
Say "ja” to Ouino
You might not have heard of Ouino before now, but that's certainly not a reflection on its quality. In our opinion, Ouino is a top-notch choice for mastering German, and it's clear that the creators have poured their heart and soul into it. With a free demo and a 30- or 60-day money-back guarantee, there's zero risk involved. Plus, with lifetime access costing less than $100, it's as irresistible as a frosty Eiskaffee on a balmy day in Berlin. Jippie!
Learning a language opens doors to new possibilities, and German is no exception. The trend of learning German online has gained traction globally due to the convenience, adaptability, and diversity of available resources. Want to learn German online? There's a plethora of options to suit your learning preferences.
Whether you're fascinated by Germany's picturesque architecture, interested in its robust engineering and philosophical legacy, a fan of its classical music and literature, seeking to reconnect with your family roots, or interested in job opportunities in the country with the largest economy in Europe, studying German can enhance your life.
When comparing German to English, there are several unique challenges you might face. German is notorious for its long compound words, but it also has a high degree of phonetic consistency, which can simplify pronunciation for beginners. However, German grammar won't be so easy to conquer, thanks to three genders for nouns, four cases, and seemingly endless verb conjugations. But, the precision of German, with its structured syntax and the rhythm of its sentences, offers a distinctive learning curve that can be immensely rewarding to master.
If you're an auditory learner and thrive on hearing how German sounds, there are specialized programs designed for that. These help you familiarize yourself with the language's intonation and pronunciation. And if you enjoy interactive learning, there are engaging platforms where you can acquire new vocabulary and grammar through games, competing against other learners and earning rewards as you progress.
If you prefer a structured learning approach, there are courses that integrate video lessons, quizzes, and even writing exercises. This helps you improve your reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills in German, all of which are required to reach fluency.
Prefer real-time interaction? You can connect with native German speakers via tutoring services. This is an excellent way to learn the practical usage of the language and gain deeper insights into German culture.
Not sure where to begin? Consider these factors as you explore your options:
To guide you to the best German lessons that match your goals and preferred learning style, our team at Top Consumer Reviews has reviewed today's top offerings and provided candid feedback on what each provides. So, why wait? Begin learning German today!
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