Here's what you could realistically accomplish in 7 days:
* Prioritize a small vocabulary: Focus on essential greetings, phrases for basic needs (ordering food, asking for directions, basic politeness), and numbers. Use flashcards, spaced repetition software (like Anki), or vocabulary-building apps (Duolingo, Memrise). Aim for 100-150 words max.
* Master basic sentence structure: German sentence structure is different from English. Focus on simple subject-verb-object sentences. Understand the basics of cases (nominative, accusative, dative) – you won't master them in 7 days, but a glimpse will be helpful.
* Listen to simple audio: Find children's songs, basic podcasts, or audio lessons focusing on vocabulary you've learned. Immerse yourself passively.
* Practice pronunciation: German pronunciation can be challenging. Use online resources (Forvo, YouTube tutorials) to learn basic sounds and practice regularly.
* Find a language exchange partner (for a few minutes): Even a short conversation with a native speaker, focusing on the vocabulary you've learned, can boost confidence and help identify weak points.
* Set realistic expectations: You won't be fluent. Your goal should be to grasp some fundamentals and build a foundation for future learning. Don't get discouraged if you can't hold a long conversation.
What you WON'T accomplish in 7 days:
* Fluency
* Advanced grammar
* Complex sentence construction
* Reading comprehension of challenging texts
* Writing skills
In short, 7 days is enough for a taste of German, but it's merely a starting point. Sustained effort over months or years is required for genuine proficiency.