Get Fluent Fast - Daily Journal (Free Guide!)

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​One of my favorite things about learning German as a teenager was having the ability to write a diary in another language that most people wouldn't be able to understand.

It helped me develop my writing skills, spelling, and simultaneously gave me some protection against any unwanted readers.

Even if you think you're not a journal/diary type of person, or a writer, I encourage you to work on your written German and spend some time each day writing a few thoughts down in German (or your target language).

What to write about?

• Recap your favorite book, show, or movie. This will give you an opportunity to use the past, present, and potentially even future tense!
  
  
• What do you dream of? Whether it's your actual dreams at night or what you hope for the future, you can practice using the past, present, and future tense.
  
  
• Something you don't like. Get it out there, practice negating and using vocabulary related to disliking something.
  
  
• What skills you have, are working on, or wish you had.
  
  
• Your goals (daily, weekly, monthly etc.)
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• Your daily tasks! If you like to write to-do lists, practice writing them in another language! Include everything, like shower, do dishes, prepare presentation, etc. 

Tip:

Write the best you can!

Don't stop to look up a word.

Try and describe the word you're looking for.

Even if you have to write something like,

"It's not the animal, it's the one you use to navigate a computer" in order to describe a computer mouse.

Look up the word you're looking for later and use it again that day, say it out loud, repeat it, and keep using it.

You won't forget it again.

When am I supposed to find time to write?

One of my favorite recent purchases that has been a game-changer for my language learning routine is this cube shaped, time block (I have it in purple).

You can set the timer for 5, 10, 20, or 30 minutes by simply flipping over the timer.

So, if I really only have 5 minutes to practice writing in my target language, I flip the cube over to the side with the "5" on it and the timer gets automatically set.

​Once the timer rings, I'll know 5 minutes is up. 

Whether it's first thing in the morning, over your lunch break, or before you go to bed, try to spend a few minutes reflecting, thinking in the target language, and writing down your thoughts.

German Language Learning Journal Prompts

I created some German Language Learning Journal Prompts to help you out in case you've got writer's block, you're stuck with a blank page, or just want a little guidance to start your daily language journal.

(Note: I plan to post free journal prompts for other languages as well, feel free to comment below or tweet me with which language I should do next!)
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Das Datum ______________________
z.B. Heute ist Mittwoch, der 24 Mai 2017
The date ______________________________
For example, today is Wednesday, May 24th, 2017  

Liebes Tagebuch,
Dear Diary,

Heute bin ich...
Today, I am..

Heute war ich...
Today, I was...

Morgen werde ich...
Tomorrow, I will...

Ich fühle mich…
I feel...

Ich bin _________ gelaunt. 
I'm in a __________ mood.

Ich habe _________ gemacht.
I did ________________.

Ich bin um __:__ aufgestanden.
I woke up at __:__.
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Eigenschaftswörter​ (Adjectives)

glücklich, froh	happy
zufrieden	satisfied, content
(sehr) gut	very good
traurig	sad
geärgert	angry, annoyed
müde	tired
unruhig	restless
erleichtert	relieved
komisch	weird
dankbar	thankful
neugierig	curious
einsam	lonely
verwirrt	confused
begeistert	keen, enthusiastic
betrunken	drunk

Example Journal Entry
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So a typical entry might start like this:

Mittwoch, der 24. Mai, 2017

Liebes Tagebuch,

Heute bin ich sehr dankbar, denn ich habe mein Ziel von 2.000 Follower auf Instagram erreicht. Es macht so viel Spaß mit so viele Leute zu sprechen jeden Tag. 

Bis Morgen,
Nikki

You can keep your journal in a Google Doc, in the notes section on your phone, or print out a free, handy PDF that I've created for you!
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​Let me know if you have any questions!
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