4 free online German classes for nurses that we absolutely love
If you want to get your registration as a nurse in Germany, a good command of German is a must. This means that you should be able to communicate easily and spontaneously in a clear and detailed manner. But on top of that, you also need to know medical terminology to talk to patients, doctors, and colleagues.
Luckily, there are tons of online learning offerings available to help you practice your general and medical language skills. While these do not replace a good German language course, they do allow for plenty of practice. And practice makes perfect, after all.
Here are four of our favourite pages to help you learn professional German, completely for free:
- Deutsch für soziale Berufe (A1-B1)
- Deutsch im Job – Krankenpflege (B1)
- Deutsch für ausländische Gesundheits- und Krankenpfleger/innen (B1-B2)
- Ein Tag Deutsch in der Pflege (B1-B2)
Deutsch für soziale Berufe
When it comes to learning German, the Goethe Institute is always a reliable point of contact. That includes their online presence. As part of their series for German at the workplace, the course “Deutsch für soziale Berufe” gives an introduction to medical vocations.
What we love about it:
“‘Deutsch für soziale Berufe‘ allows learners to get acquainted with medical German early on. You can practice vocabulary and grammar, but also get a first idea of how your professional life in Germany will be.“
Deutsch im Job – Krankenpflege (B1)
With the “Deutsch im Job“ series, Deutsche Welle takes learners through the different job areas of their profession. The medical German course follows the team of an outpatient care service as they plan their work, visit patients, and document their work. Through this, learners are introduced to new terms and grammatical exercises.
What we love about it:
“For almost step of the course, you are watching a short video that introduces you to a typical job situation. This makes it feel like a remote observership. You not only get to practice your language skills, but also standard procedures.”
Deutsch für ausländische Gesundheits- und Krankenpfleger/innen (B1-B2)
The online offering of the EU project Intercultural Medical Communication in Europe (IMED-KOMM-EU) provides a vast platform for medical vocabulary. Although it puts less emphasis on grammar, learners can train their professional communication skills through videos, texts, and interactive exercises.
What we love about it:
“IMED-KOMM-EU’s course is probably one of the most exhaustive free courses online. Learners practice communication across all kinds of professional scenarios. This makes it a great training resource when preparing for the knowledge test in Germany.”
Ein Tag Deutsch in der Pflege (B1-B2)
In the simulation game “Ein Tag Deutsch in der Pflege”, the learner takes on the role of a nurse. Over the course of the 90-minute playtime, players engage in various conversations with patients and colleagues. This allows for practicing both vocab and standard procedures.
What we love about it:
What makes Ein Tag Deutsch in der Pflege fun is that it’s different. That’s not only because of its simulation format, but because of its nuanced approach to language. Thus, it teaches the language that’s actually spoken rather than a more formal textbook German. Cultural bonus for us: The game even includes draft talk.”
Bonus: Dialektatlas (C1)
Admittedly, this directory of German dialects is not a language course for nurses. However, at ProRecognition, we frequently get feedback that understanding German dialects is a real issue. Thus, when caring for predominantly older patients, this may also be a challenge for you. With the Dialekteatlas, you can find out how different dialects sound and learn local terms and phrases.
Do you know other great (and free) online training resources for nurses? Let us know by sending us an email or Facebook message.
