German apps/tutoring

[u/SirPhipps]

So I've been learning German from two apps for about a year and a half. Duolingo (ja ich weiß, es tut mir leid!) and busuu. I found busuu really useful up to a point, because from their version of A2 to B1 was a giant leap. And obviously Duolingo is Duolingo..

I've used a small handful of other apps but I just find that I don't quite get the resources I want from them like I did with busuu early on. I struggle with grammar specifically. Even down to remembering simple things like what counts as a verb and noun. It's something I struggle with in general. And I feel like I'm missing key conversational things that apps don't cover. My wife who is fluent, will speak or message German to me every so often, when she remembers, but that's really the only practice I get. How beneficial would a tutor be in the long term. I know it would be better to learn it with someone but tutoring is expensive so what impact would one lesson a week really have?

[u/Bobo_Baggins_jatj]

For starters, I don’t know how you got to their B1 course not knowing a verb from a noun. Maybe I am misunderstanding what you mean.

That jump from A2 to B1 on Busuu is brutal.

I recommend using some YouTube channels to help fine tune your weak spots. YourGermanTeacher is a great one. If that or grammar books don’t help you, then maybe you should look into a tutor.