YouTube Video Lessons for Learning German Online

Last updated on 

German video lessons on youtube are among the most convenient free resources for learning a German language. Video courses are generally suitable for students of all skill levels, from absolute beginners to advanced German speakers. They are particularly suited for training listening comprehension and pronunciation. Since there are so many of them out there and their methods of teaching a language are very diverse, you can choose a learning style that fits your personal style. Some youtube channels for learning German offer complete courses with lessons dedicated to training all aspects of a language for learners of all skill levels (A1-C2), while others focus on a particular skill such as pronunciation, grammar or listening comprehension or are tailored only for learners at certain proficiency levels.

If you type keywords such as “German courses” or “German lessons” into the youtube search box you will find loads of channels that offer free German lessons. However, many of them just showcase a few videos on youtube and, if you click on the profile link, you will be taken to their own website that is selling German courses. We have reviewed many youtube video channels offering free German lessons and are listing here those that we think are most complete.

The Best YouTube Channels for German Learners

* sorted by popularity as of December 2023

  • Easy German (1.88M subscribers and 1K videos) offers great stuff for German learners of all skill levels, from beginners to fairly advanced speakers as well as for people who just want to brush up on their German or learn some basic German phrases. You can even pick up some Swiss German or a dialect from their video lessons, if you wish so. Moreover, included are playlists with German music and German documentaries to boost your vocabulary. Altogether there are hundreds of practical videos discussing various topics where you can listen to real people in the street answering all sorts of unexpected questions. To make sure you do not overlook anything, it is recommended to also check out the playlist “Learn German from the streets” created by their “sister” channel Easy Languages, containing ca 2,7K videos.
  • Learn German (1.40M subscribers) is a large German-teaching channel containing nearly 800 videos on a great variety of subjects for all German-proficiency levels. This channel is suitable also for absolute beginners. Free worksheets, transcripts and podcasts are available for download for all lessons.
  • Deutsch lernen mit der DW (1.12M subscribers and 3K videos) has something for every skill level and taste. Beginners (levels A1-B1) can accompany Harry Walkott on his adventurous journey through Germany. Those who are on the level A2 can follow Nina and David in the series named Das Deutschlandlabor as they travel around Germany and help viewers answer common questions about the German way of life (this course was prepared in cooperation with Goethe Institute where under the above link you can also find worksheets and transcripts from these lessons). Intermediate learners of German language (B1/B2) can watch 99 series of “Jojo sucht das Glück” (Jojo seeks happiness) about a young Brazilian lady Jojo who came to study in Germany. In addition to these series, there are other entertaining video courses for all sorts of interests and in different languages available on this channel but finding them may sometimes be a challenge. The course-related materials such as audios, podcasts and exercise books can be downloaded directly from DW website.
  • Learn German with Anja (950K subscribers and 442 videos) is an entertaining and unconventional way of learning German with a German-native host Anja. Although the course is mainly focused on developing basic language skills, there are also lessons for intermediate students of up to the level B1. This fast growing educational youtube channel is on its way to soon reach the 1M subscriber mark.
  • Lingoni German (800K subscribers, formerly known as German with Jenny) is presented by another lovely German lady who offers free German lessons for beginners and intermediate learners on youtube. The video sound is excellent, so there is hardly a more suitable German course on youtube for practicing listening comprehension. The channel contains about 1K video lessons from levels A1 to B2. Once you have completed the whole course you should also know a lot about German lifestyle and culture.
  • Get Germanized (452K subscribers and 1.2K videos) – if you are bored of school German lessons and textbooks learn about Germany, German people and their language through the eyes of a real German and get germanised. This entertaining channel has all it takes to teach you proper German and do it in an unconventional and relaxed way. It is particularly good at teaching vocabulary that you will not find in regular textbooks. German lifestyle and culture are also discussed there.
  • Lingster Academy (355K subscribers) presents over 200 video lessons hosted by Julia, a university lecturer with a master’s degree in German as a foreign language. The lessons are aimed at different levels of German speakers (A1-C1) and focus mainly on developing vocabulary and teaching grammar and writing skills to get you ready for German language proficiency exams.
  • DeutschFuerEuch (247K subscribers and 242 videos) is a fun way of learning German with Katja. This channel is suitable for beginners who have never had any German lessons before as well as for advanced students of German up to the level C2. There are playlists dedicated to pronunciation, grammar, spelling, vocabulary training and much more. Katja is a native German and will also teach you a little bit about German people and their culture.
  • Learn German with Herr Antrim (215K subscribers and 844 videos) is a channel for beginners and intermediate German speakers. There is a large section of videos explaining different aspects of German grammar, all from a perspective of American German language teacher. This channel also contains valuable German learning tips, vocabulary-building videos and a collection of videos from other German teaching channels on youtube.
  • Ashkan’s German Lessons in Farsi (169K subscribers) is an awesome youtube channel for speakers of Farsi with ca 1.4K video lessons for beginners and intermediate students of German language given by a Farsi (Persian) native speaker.
  • FreeGermanLessons (159K subscribers and 270 videos) contains video lessons for beginners as well as for intermediate students of German. The focus is on decoding the complexities of German grammar. Although explanations in most of the video lessons are provided only in German, the language is clear and texts and pictures make everything easy to understand. Just browse through different playlists to find lessons that suit you best.
  • 24h Deutsch (105K subscribers) was prepared in cooperation with the Goethe Institute. It contains 128 videos on different everyday topics for beginners as well as for more advances students of German. The main focus of the channel is on teaching grammar and vocabulary but it also helps you train listening comprehension and provides useful tips for living in Germany.
  • Hassan Abdelaziz Khatab’s channel (105K subscribers and 1.5K videos) is a German-teaching platform in Arabic. It offers German lessons and examples of German language tests to students whose native language is Arabic.
  • Girls4Teaching German (63K subscribers) with Eva offers introductory German course with 30 video lessons (organised into three units of 10 lessons each) to teach you the basic grammar, phrases and vocabulary and introduce you to the German culture. Intermediate students may also find some of these lessons useful.
  • ThisAndThat4All (35K subscribers) offers 66 German youtube lessons for beginners and intermediates to teach you basic vocabulary, small talk, essential grammar and correct pronunciation. This channel is suitable for complete beginners in the German language.
  • Deutsch Happen (22K subscribers) hosted by Kirsten, a native German speaker, is a collection of 162 videos covering a broad range of topics with strong focus on explaining the intricacies of German grammar. There are also special lessons on training German pronunciation and vocabulary. Lessons for intermediate learners are only in German but Kirsten speaks slowly and clearly so that anybody on that level should be able to understand her explanations.

Where Else to Find German Video Courses

Please note that those German-learning youtube channels that are largely geared towards young kids or focus exclusively on teaching basic German travel phrases were omitted from the above list. You can find them in the respective sections of this website (just follow the two links above) and look for them under the headings “German YouTube Channels for Kids” and “German for Tourists on YouTube”. (Likewise, for German comedy and jokes follow the link in this sentence and search for the section “German Humour and Jokes on YouTube Videos”.) Once you have found courses or individual lessons you want to watch, you can create your own playlist of favourite German youtube lessons for easier access and for future reference. This will also help you check on your progress.

Can I Really Learn German through YouTube?

YouTube video lessons do not just complement but to a large extent also replace traditional forms of education such as classroom lessons. As mentioned above, they are a great way to build up vocabulary and train listening comprehension and pronunciation, and are ideal for self-learners. However, in order to fully replace classroom lessons they must be combined with some interactive form of language learning. For example, you will have to find an online tutor or a language exchange partner. You need someone to train your conversation skills with, ideally a German native speaker. Also, you need to train certain aspects of language development separately such as your grammar, writing and examination skills (e.g., by using interactive online exercises) as well as your reading skills.