SPEAK

One of the things that brings me great joy is being able to connect with someone in their language. This page is dedicated to a growing list of the resources that have helped me grow from a clean slate, expand my vocabulary, and improve my fluency. 

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General:
Langenscheidt: Online dictionary I enjoy for understanding new words and how they're used in context. For me, their example sentences have been more helpful than Google Translate's.

Deutsche:
Conjuguemos: Verb conjugation games that are far more convenient and environmentally-friendly than searching for and printing out worksheets.
Das große Backen: German baking show.
Deike and Michael: Bite-sized, beginner-friendly videos from two Germans living in Taiwan! Their sense of humor will charm your pants off. Plus, practicing Mandarin and learning German at the same time is a two-fer that I can't pass up. 
Deutsch.ie: Ireland-based website for learning German. Unlike a lot of language learning websites, this is super user-friendly, offers pdf vocabulary sheets and exercises, and has this gender vocabulary trainer that any beginner would benefit from! Highly recommend.
Easy German: This is by far the most robust and well-edited YouTube channel for learning German (they also have a few spin-off channels, including Easy Languages). Easy German's videos expose you to full dialogues and teach you about German culture via on-the-street interviews. New grammar videos feature comedic skits that will keep viewers engaged and entertained. Note that these videos are entirely in German and have German/English subtitles. As of January 2022, I am a Patreon member and the $6 per month subscription is so worthwhile. Highly recommend.
German.net: An easy and convenient way to practice German grammar. These digital "worksheets" will also provide answers!
Get Germanized: The topics of Dominik's videos have evolved since I discovered it, but I still recommend his YouTube channel to anyone who's starting from ground zero. His A1 course is one of the most highly viewed, and for good reason. Another series I've enjoyed is "Different Ways of Saying..." (i.e. Thank You). His instructions are in English, so you can listen to his videos and learn while multi-tasking without having to sit down and read subtitles. 
Goethe Institut: Arguably the most well-known non-profit for promoting the study of the German language and culture. While they offer formal classes (with and without teachers, online and in-person), the linked page includes a rich list of free resources for practice. Highly recommend.
Learn German with Anja: Look no further for an enthusiastic teacher. What I love just as much as Anja's cheer is her dual use of English and German in her videos. Even with subtitles, Easy German can be hard to learn from when my baseline vocabulary is limited. Anja's videos meet me at my current level the best, and I highly recommend her grammar videos (re: die deutsche Satzstruktur). Highly recommend.
The German Way: A blog that functions as a cultural guidebook and is particularly helpful for those thinking about living in Austria, Germany, or Switzerland one day. 
University of Michigan Germanic Languages and Literature: START HERE!
WDR Reisen: A travel show from the German-version of NPR. English and German subtitles are available!
Your Daily German: Excellent "Word of the Day" archive that's helping me understand and memorize fundamental vocabulary words.

Español:
Alanxelmundo (Alan por el mundo): The most down-to-earth travel vlogger and skilled photographer/videographer out there in a highly saturated market. That's a bold statement, and my argument is far more compelling if I show rather than tell, so go watch his trip to Myanmar. Oh, Disney fans won't be disappointed, either. Highly recommend, especially if you'd like to learn colloquial Mexican Spanish words!
Easy Spanish: This channel is a part of the larger Easy Languages community but has grown so much that it has its own corner on the internet. On the street interviews in various Spanish-speaking countries, including Spain and Mexico, will surely immerse viewers in Hispanic and Latin American culture, but what I like best is these videos aren't limited to basic language learning topics. Which Spanish accent sounds the best, according to Spanish speakers? How expensive is rent in Mexico City? What are your regrets? 
Español con Juan: The video I linked was the first of Juan's I've watched, and it's kept me hooked on his videos since. Juan is a former professor at UCL, and his story-style approach to teaching useful phrases, grammar, and vocabulary is most effective for speakers who are already more familiar with the language. His stories are also ridiculously entertaining and are often accompanied by interactive activities on his website
Spring Spanish: This channel is beginner friendly and extremely useful for anyone who has been studying Spanish for a while and wants to sound more fluent. Their "chunking method" replaces rote memorization of vocabulary lists with conversational phrases that help you readily apply new words and grammar skills. I particularly love the "Don't say..." series, where in these videos, I accrue synonyms and other phrases to expand and diversify what I say. 

Cantonese:
Easy Cantonese: From the Easy German producers whom I love is a new channel, Easy Languages. Formerly, Cantonese videos were produced regularly and you can catch the videos in this playlist. 
Weylie and Wah: What I appreciate most is how they endorse their culture without shame. They've filmed several vlogs in Cantonese, and Weylie has a video, "Growing Up Chinese American," that was pretty formative when I was living away from home in college. Oh, and did you know that Wah speaks fluent Spanish? Don't overlook their dedicated channel to travel vlogs from Hong Kong.
Cantonese 101 Class: This may have been my first language, but there are many, many words I have yet to learn! 

Mandarin:
Blondie in China: Her Mandarin (and Australian accent!) and appreciation for good food will keep you entertained and educated. Food was, and continues to be, the way to my heart when it comes to my muddled feelings about my ethnicity. I don't know what the antidote for internalized racism is, but I've found experiencing the sincere curiosity of others from different backgrounds to be personally healing. 
Easy Mandarin: Also a product of the Easy Languages community, Easy Mandarin videos are created by a team in Taiwan. In addition to street interviews, videos cover a variety of topics that help you learn more about everyday Taiwanese culture. 
Hailey and Adam: Husband and wife duo from the US and now adventuring in Taiwan (re: recent roadtrip). Through their vlogs and challenge videos, they compare and contrast American and Taiwanese culture in a thoughtful and entertaining way. Highly recommend.

- last updated 3 April 2022 -