German websites

These websites combine current news with short articles, video or audio. They are useful when you want regular exposure to clear, contemporary German.

• Tagesschau

  Public-service news from ARD covering Germany and international events. Short news reports and the compact video format Tagesschau in 100 Sekunden are useful for regular listening and reading practice.

  News · Intermediate
• Deutsche Welle

  International news, reports, video and audio from Germany's international broadcaster. DW also publishes material specifically for German learners, making it a useful bridge between study material and real news.

  News and learning · Multiple levels
• ZDFheute

  News from the public broadcaster ZDF, with articles, explanatory pieces and video reports. The mixture of text and video lets you practise the same topic through more than one format.

  News and video · Intermediate
• n-tv

  Breaking news with a strong focus on business, markets and current events. Many articles are relatively short, which makes the site practical for a brief daily reading routine.

  News and business · Intermediate

These publications are useful when you are ready for denser articles, a wider vocabulary and more detailed analysis. Editorial style and perspective differ, so comparing several sources also exposes you to different ways of discussing the same subject.

• ZEIT ONLINE

  National and international reporting with essays, interviews and long-form analysis. The writing is often sophisticated and suits advanced learners who want to expand their formal vocabulary.

  Analysis · Advanced
• Süddeutsche Zeitung

  A national newspaper covering politics, society, culture and business, together with regional reporting from southern Germany. Many articles use detailed newspaper-style language.

  General news · Advanced
• Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung

  National and international reporting with extensive business and finance coverage. Its formal style is useful for advanced reading and professional vocabulary.

  Politics and business · Advanced
• DER SPIEGEL

  A news magazine covering politics, society, science, culture and international events. It offers both short reports and longer features, although some content is available only to subscribers.

  News magazine · Upper-intermediate
• WELT

  General news, business reporting, commentary and video. It can be useful for comparing how different publications present the same current event.

  News and opinion · Upper-intermediate
• FOCUS online

  A broad news and service portal covering current affairs, finance, health, travel and everyday topics. Its shorter service-oriented articles can be easier to approach than long newspaper analysis.

  News and service · Intermediate

Personal interests make authentic content easier to continue reading. Sport, regional news and practical everyday topics can therefore be just as valuable as national politics.

• t-online

  A large general-interest portal with news, sport, finance, digital topics and practical information. Its variety makes it easy to find a subject that matches your interests.

  General portal · Intermediate
• Münchner Merkur

  Regional reporting from Munich and Bavaria alongside national news, sport and lifestyle topics. Regional media introduce place names and local subjects that appear less often in national publications.

  Regional and general news · Intermediate
• kicker

  Sports reporting with a strong emphasis on football. Match reports, tables and transfer news repeat a focused vocabulary, which can make specialist language easier to acquire through regular reading.

  Sport · Intermediate
• BILD

  A tabloid news website known for short, attention-grabbing headlines and direct language. It can expose you to colloquial expressions, but its compressed headline style is not always a good model for formal German.

  Tabloid news · Intermediate

German subtitles let you connect pronunciation with written language. Watch a short section without stopping, then replay it with subtitles and note only the most useful expressions.

• ARD Mediathek — videos with subtitles

  Films, series, documentaries and programmes from Germany's regional public broadcasters. The linked section collects videos for which subtitles are available.

  Video with subtitles · Multiple levels
• ZDF — accessible programmes

  ZDF provides films, series, documentaries, news and other programmes, including a dedicated overview of content with subtitles and other accessibility options.

  Video with subtitles · Multiple levels
• Netflix

  A subscription streaming service with German productions and German audio or subtitles for many other titles. Availability depends on the country and programme, so check its language options before choosing study material.

  Streaming · Subscription

1. 1

   Choose a short and interesting item

   A short article or video you want to understand is more useful than a long text chosen only because it is in German.

2. 2

   Understand the main message first

   Use the headline, images and familiar words before looking up vocabulary.

3. 3

   Create a personal lesson from a manageable section

   Follow the copyright rules that apply to the source and use only as much text as you need for private study.

4. 4

   Save and practise useful words

   Prioritize repeated vocabulary and complete expressions, then return to the original item and see whether it has become easier.