How I Learned German: From Au Pair Uncertainty to C1 Certification
“When I first moved to Germany at 19 as an au pair, I had no idea I’d one day pass the C1 German exam. Back then, the idea of learning German fluently felt distant, maybe even impossible.”
This is the honest story of how I learned German — slowly, imperfectly, but deeply — and how you might, too.
How I Started with German: With a Lot of Failures
I started learning German with a lot of failures.
I’d try to speak to people, but I wouldn’t understand a word of what they said back. I’d freeze mid-sentence, mix up basic words, and smile awkwardly while pretending I knew what was going on. It was frustrating, and honestly, embarrassing.
But they say it right:
“If you want to learn something new, the only way to achieve it is through failures.”
And in my case, that couldn’t be more true. I failed constantly — but each failure chipped away at my fear. Slowly, my ears adjusted to the rhythm of the language. I stopped translating everything in my head. I started catching familiar words in conversations. And one day, someone responded to me in German without switching to English — and I understood them.
That moment? That was a little win. And little wins stack up.
Living in Germany, but Speaking English
At first, I felt incredibly lucky — my host family in Germany spoke fluent English. As someone just beginning to navigate life abroad, it was comforting. I didn’t have to struggle through awkward conversations or feel embarrassed about my German.
But over time, I realized that comfort was holding me back.
I was living in Germany but barely speaking the language. I was physically immersed in a new world, but linguistically on the outside.
And that’s when I began to understand:
Language isn’t just about communication — it’s about connection.
I Didn’t Know I Loved Languages — Until They Started Loving Me Back
I didn’t grow up dreaming of being a polyglot. In school, I saw languages as just another subject — something to memorize, pass, and forget.
I didn’t even know I liked learning languages… until I started becoming comfortable in them.
Growing up in Nepal, languages weren’t seen as a personal achievement. It wasn’t something people praised or noticed. If you were good at languages, no one called it a talent — not like being good at math, or science, or becoming a doctor. So I never had the chance to look at it as my passion, or my comfort, or something I could truly be proud of.
But that changed when I stepped outside my home country.
When I could finally understand a joke on TV, or express how I really felt in another language — something clicked. I started enjoying the rhythm, the quirks, the challenge. I started seeing language not just as a tool, but as a part of who I was.
“I didn’t know I loved languages — or travel — until I did them. My passion didn’t come first. It came with experience, courage, and being willing to leave home.”
It was the same with travel.
I didn’t see it as a passion until I left Nepal.
Leaving home at 19 — for the first time in my life — was incredibly hard.
But sometimes, you only find what you love by walking toward the uncomfortable.
My Language Journey — Germany, Nepal, and Austria
After living in Germany for about two and a half years as an au pair, I decided to take a four-month intensive German course in Germany. The goal was to improve my skills so I could stay longer and fully embrace life there.
However, due to personal reasons, I had to return to Nepal for a year. It was a challenging pause in my journey, but I didn’t give up.
After that year back home, I moved to Austria with a new goal: to officially earn my C1 German certificate. This time, I prepared mostly by myself — studying, practicing, and immersing as much as possible without a formal course.
It was a different kind of challenge, but it made me more independent in my learning and confident in my abilities.
✨ A Proud Moment: Achieving My C1 Certificate
Getting my C1 certificate was more than just passing an exam. It was a proud moment — a personal milestone that marked how far I had come with a language I was truly falling in love with.
It wasn’t just about the certificate itself. It was about all the struggles, the failures, the moments of doubt, and the determination to keep going. Reaching this goal made me realize that learning a language is more than just words and grammar — it’s a journey of patience, courage, and passion.
Tips for Learning German — From My Personal Experience
1. Don’t Be Afraid to Fail
Mistakes are part of the process — every failure brings you closer to success. Embrace them and learn from each one.
2. Stay Consistent
Even small, daily practice sessions add up. Consistency over time is more effective than irregular, intense study bursts.
3. Chase Knowledge, Not Perfection
Focus on understanding and communicating rather than trying to be perfect. Perfection can slow you down, but curiosity will speed you up.
4. Watch Movies and Listen More
Immerse yourself by watching movies, TV shows, or listening to podcasts. Absorb the language naturally without overthinking vocabulary or grammar.
5. Talk to People Around You
Try to speak with people, even if not everyone is welcoming. Every conversation is a step forward in your learning journey.
6. Don’t Focus on Learning Everything by Heart
When I started speaking German, I realized I didn’t need to memorize all the grammar rules perfectly. Don’t beat yourself up trying to know every rule by heart — it can keep you stuck. Instead, focus on using the language and learning grammar naturally over time.
7. Don’t Be Hard on Yourself
Learning a new language is like discovering a whole new world. Be patient and kind to yourself — progress takes time, and every step forward counts.
8. Use Mistakes as Learning Opportunities
I’ve noticed I remember things best when someone corrects me. Those corrections become memories etched in my brain. So, don’t fear mistakes — they’re some of your most powerful learning moments.
9. Set Small, Achievable Goals — and Don’t Compare Yourself to Others
Break your learning into manageable milestones, like mastering everyday phrases or having a simple conversation. And remember, don’t compare your progress to others — everyone learns differently and at their own pace. Comparing yourself only slows you down.
10. Find What Works Best for You — And Follow Your Own Path
Connecting your language learning to things you love — like music, movies, or culture — makes it more natural and enjoyable. Your senses can guide you: some people learn best by listening, others by reading or speaking.
Don’t feel pressured to follow every routine or method others recommend. I’ve noticed I need to listen a lot and then analyze things to truly learn, which isn’t the conventional approach — but it works for me.
When you’re alone — outside of courses or textbooks — experiment with different ways to learn. Maybe it’s listening to music, chatting with locals, or journaling in German. Finding your own style will make learning feel less like a chore and more like a discovery.
Final Thoughts
No matter where you’re starting from, learning German can be an incredibly rewarding experience.
Learning German wasn’t always easy — it took patience, persistence, and a lot of willingness to fail and try again. But it became so much more than just learning a language. It was a journey of self-discovery, growth, and connection.
If you’re starting your own language journey, remember: it’s okay to feel lost sometimes. It’s okay to make mistakes. What matters most is that you keep moving forward, in your own way and at your own pace.
Language opens doors — not just to new words, but to new cultures, new friendships, and new parts of yourself you haven’t met yet.
So, be patient, be curious, and above all, enjoy the ride.
For more structured learning, I recommend checking out Goethe-Institut’s German courses, which offer excellent materials and certification options.
If you’re curious about how traveling influenced my language skills and personal growth, check out my post on How Traveling Helped Me Become a Confident Polyglot.
Join the Conversation!
Have you ever tried learning a new language? What challenges did you face, and what helped you keep going? I’d love to hear your stories and tips — feel free to share them in the comments below!
If you found this post helpful, don’t forget to share it with friends who might be on their own language-learning journey. Let’s support each other in discovering new languages and cultures!