Better German Podcast with Susi

🎙️Better German Podcast – Episode 58 German Adjectives Made Simple with Practical Examples   In this episode, you learn how German adjectives change when they come before nouns — in a clear, beginner-friendly way. You’ll practice adjectives like big, beautiful, old, and small and see how they behave with the articles - “the” (der / die / das) and “a” (ein / eine), you’ll practice clear, practical examples so you can finally understand the pattern instead of memorizing tables. If adjective endings have ever felt confusing, this episode shows you that they’re actually very logical — and learnable. If you’d like to see what this approach looks like in action and understand why German feels unnecessarily hard for so many learners, join my free live workshop “How to Actually Learn German.” I’ll walk you through what usually goes wrong — and what actually makes progress possible. https://bettergerman.info/workshop ⬇️ Free PDF (Episode 58) (as soon as it it available)  https://bettergerman.info/adjectives2. 🎧 Full Show Notes & Links https://bettergerman.info/58 ✨ Key Topics in This EpisodeWhat adjectives are in German (groß, klein, schön, alt, nett)Why adjectives change when they come before a nounAdjectives after verbs vs before nouns ( The ball is big vs The big ball)Adjectives with definite articles: der / die / dasThe meaning of “the” vs “a” in GermanAdjectives with “a” (ein / eine) How adjective endings change (-er / -e / -es) Clear spoken examples you can repeat and practiceHow to practice without stressing about mistakes🔗 Mentioned Links & ResourcesFree Adjec...

🎙️ Better German Podcast – Episode 57Practice German Restaurant Phrases + Real Dialogues In this episode, you actively practice German restaurant vocabulary from Episode 53 with real sentences, pronunciation, and two short dialogues. You’ll hear useful phrases for ordering food, asking for the bill, understanding menus in Austria, and talking about typical dishes like Schnitzel or Kaiserschmarrn.If you want practical German you can actually use in cafés, restaurants, or while travelling, this episode helps you train listening and speaking at the same time. ⬇️ Free PDF (Episodes 53 + 57)https://bettergerman.info/restaurant 🎧 Full Show Notes & Linkshttps://bettergerman.info/57 If you’d like to see what this approach looks like in action and understand why German feels unnecessarily hard for so many learners, join my free live workshop “How to Actually Learn German.” I’ll walk you through what usually goes wrong — and what actually makes progress possible. https://bettergerman.info/workshop ✨ Key Topics in This EpisodePracticing restaurant vocabulary in real sentencesAustrian café and “Kaffeehaus” cultureVorspeise, Hauptspeise, Nachspeise explainedWhat a “Menü” means in Austria (fixed-price meal)Useful ordering phrases: Ich hätte gerne, Ich möchte, zahlen bitteBreakfast buffet questions you can use in hotelsTipping culture in AustriaTypical dishes: Schnitzel, Kaiserschmarrn, FrittatensuppeTwo slow German restaurant dialogues for listening practice🔗 Mentioned Links & ResourcesFree Restaurant PDF (Episodes 53 + 57): https://bettergerman.info/restaurantEpisode 53 (Res...

Part 2 of this mini-series looks at the most common obstacles that quietly stop learners from making progress — and what you can do instead.We talk about misunderstood words, skipping steps, unrealistic expectations, and why practice really matters. A bonus tip at the end shows you how to keep German interesting so you don’t quit. If you’d like to see what this approach looks like in action and understand why German feels unnecessarily hard for so many learners, join my free live workshop “How to Actually Learn German.” I’ll walk you through what usually goes wrong — and what actually makes progress possible. https://bettergerman.info/workshop 🔑 In this episode, you’ll learn:• Why misunderstood words can block learning• How skipping steps creates frustration• Why “total immersion” is mostly a myth• Why a native speaker isn’t automatically a good teacher• How to set realistic expectations• Why practice is not optional• How to keep German interesting 🔗 Mentioned in this episode:• Study Technology by L. Ron Hubbard https://www.appliedscholastics.org/• How long does it take to learn German? — Ep 29 https://bettergerman.info/29• How much practice do we need? — Ep 28 https://bettergerman.info/28• Get Talking — German course https://bettergerman.info/course 🎓 Start learning German with me: 👉 https://bettergerman.info/course

Many people start learning German motivated — and then hit a point where they think: “I can’t do this. It’s too hard.”In this episode, Susi explains why that happens and what you can do to prevent it, so you can keep going and make real progress. This is Part 1 of a two-part series and covers tips 1–5. 🔑 In this episode, you’ll learn: • Why your personal “why” is essential• Why everything you learn needs a clear purpose• Why learning only for tests causes frustration• How a realistic schedule keeps you from giving up• Why beginners must first build a core vocabulary If you’d like to see what this approach looks like in action and understand why German feels unnecessarily hard for so many learners, join my free live workshop “How to Actually Learn German.” I’ll walk you through what usually goes wrong — and what actually makes progress possible. https://bettergerman.info/workshop 🔗 Mentioned in this episode:• Good habits for learning German — Episode 54 https://bettergerman.info/54• How much practice do we need? — Episode 28 https://bettergerman.info/28• How long does it take to learn German? — Episode 29 https://bettergerman.info/29• Study Technology by L. Ron Hubbard - https://www.appliedscholastics.org/• Next episode: Tips 6–10 + bonus (Part 2 – episode 56, upcoming) 🎓 Start learning German with me:👉 Get Talking – German course https://bettergerman.info/course

Learning German usually doesn’t fail because German is hard — it fails because the habits don’t work. In this episode, Susi talks about realistic learning habits that actually help you make progress in German, whether you’re restarting, learning on the side, or finally want to do it properly this time. No gimmicks, no unrealistic promises — just what actually works. 🎬 Free PDF: Learn German with Movies & TV 📘 German Articles Guide (Der · Die · Das) with the mentioned list of nouns If you’d like to see what this approach looks like in action and understand why German feels unnecessarily hard for so many learners, join my free live workshop “How to Actually Learn German.” I’ll walk you through what usually goes wrong — and what actually makes progress possible. https://bettergerman.info/workshop 🔎 Key Topics• Why motivation alone doesn’t work• How much weekly time actually makes a difference• What to focus on first (and what to ignore early on)• Vocabulary, practice, and media — how they work together• Subtitles: when they help and when they don’t• When structure and courses actually matter 🔗 Mentioned Links & Resources• Nicos Weg – Full Movie with multiple subtitles• Learn German with Movies & TV – Free PDF (curated list of YouTube, Netflix, Prime, Disney):• German Articles Guide (Der · Die · Das) with the mentioned list of nouns• Article: Should You Take a German Course or Learn Alone? 📚 German Dictionaries (mentioned in the episode)• Collins German-English Dictionary • LANGENSCHEIDT Dictionary 🎓 Mentioned CourseGet Talking: German for Beginners & Restart...

PDF for the episode: https://bettergerman.info/restaurant In this episode, Susi explains how to talk about restaurants in German in a simple, practical way. You’ll learn how restaurant language actually works in real life, which phrases people really use, and what’s typical in Austria and Germany. The focus is on useful words, natural sentences, and confidence, not textbook rules. If you’d like to see what this approach looks like in action and understand why German feels unnecessarily hard for so many learners, join my free live workshop “How to Actually Learn German.” I’ll walk you through what usually goes wrong — and what actually makes progress possible. https://bettergerman.info/workshop Key Topics 🔎 Restaurant German• What restaurant vocabulary you really need• Typical Austrian and German food you’ll see on menus• Polite and natural phrases for ordering and paying• Small cultural details that make restaurants easier to navigate Mentioned Episodes(all episodes can be found at bettergerman.info/# of the episode)Ep 57: Restaurant Practice & Conversation (coming soon) You May Also Like:Ep 30: “To Be” in GermanEp 8: How Much Grammar Do We Need?

This episode makes German verbs that change their form (irregular verbs / starke Verben) super easy. There is a free PDF to follow along (and practice further). 📥 Download Part 2 of the FREE German Verbs Guide: https://bettergerman.info/verbs2  Susi shows that German grammar doesn’t have to be complicated and teaches a simple, structured method for learning verbs like fahren (to drive) and sprechen (to speak). By focusing on groups and easy vowel changes (like “a → ä” or “e → i”), you’ll learn faster and speak German more fluently. If you’d like to see what this approach looks like in action and understand why German feels unnecessarily hard for so many learners, join my free live workshop “How to Actually Learn German.” I’ll walk you through what usually goes wrong — and what actually makes progress possible. https://bettergerman.info/workshop

If you’re ready to finally speak with confidence — not just “know things” — this course is built for you. Clear explanations, practical exercises, and the kind of guidance that actually gets you talking. Pre-sale is live now, and it’s the perfect moment to jump in before doors fully open.   In Episode 51 of the Better German Podcast, host Susi Blumel walks you through the 7 ways of practicing German even when you are not a native speaker yourself. She busts the myth that only native speakers can teach you well.  and why it’s absolutely not required for becoming a confident German speaker. Instead, you’ll hear what actually matters when you’re learning: clarity, structure, practice, and saying things out loud until they stick. Simple, practical, and freeing!

Grab the free PDF for this episode here: https://bettergerman.info/clothes This guide gives you all the clothing vocabulary from episode 46 so you can follow along as Susi practices it in real sentences. In this special 50th episode of the Better German Podcast, Susi Blümel brings the clothes topic back to life — not just listing the words, but showing you how to use them in clear, everyday sentences. You’ll practice clothing items, colors, and simple descriptions, while Susi highlights the key grammar you need, like articles and plurals.By the end, you’ll feel confident using these clothing words naturally when you speak. If you’d like to see what this approach looks like in action and understand why German feels unnecessarily hard for so many learners, join my free live workshop “How to Actually Learn German.” I’ll walk you through what usually goes wrong — and what actually makes progress possible. https://bettergerman.info/workshop

Grab the free PDF for this episode here: https://bettergerman.info/sie This guide walks you through all the different uses of “sie” in one place. Work through the examples, follow along with Susi in the episode, and test yourself with short sentences so each meaning sticks for good. It's straightforward, practical, and finally makes this tiny troublemaker easy to handle. In episode 49 of the Better German podcast, Susi Blümel explains the different meanings of the little word sie — it can mean "she," "they," "it," or the polite "you." Susi shows you easy ways to tell which one is meant, using simple examples and everyday sentences. By the end, you'll finally understand how this one word can mean so many things, and you'll feel much more confident using it when you speak. If you’d like to see what this approach looks like in action and understand why German feels unnecessarily hard for so many learners, join my free live workshop “How to Actually Learn German.” I’ll walk you through what usually goes wrong — and what actually makes progress possible. https://bettergerman.info/workshop

Hello!✨Welcome to Episode 48 of the Better German Podcast, where host Susi Blümel dives into one of the biggest challenges every learner faces: Why it’s so hard to remember German words — and what you can do to make them stick finally.She also shares some exciting updates about the show: new weekly episodes, a growing team, and easier access to free PDF companion guides — now available to everyone, not just community members! If you’d like to see what this approach looks like in action and understand why German feels unnecessarily hard for so many learners, join my free live workshop “How to Actually Learn German.” I’ll walk you through what usually goes wrong — and what actually makes progress possible. https://bettergerman.info/workshop

📥Here you'll find the PDF that accompanies this episode: https://bettergerman.info/adjectives Ready to put your German adjectives into action? In this episode, Susi builds on the vocab from Episode 44 and helps you master words like groß (big), alt (old), kalt (cold), warm (warm, and more—this time in full sentences you can actually use.✨ If you’d like to see what this approach looks like in action and understand why German feels unnecessarily hard for so many learners, join my free live workshop “How to Actually Learn German.” I’ll walk you through what usually goes wrong — and what actually makes progress possible. https://bettergerman.info/workshop

📥Here you'll find the PDF that accompanies this episode: https://bettergerman.info/clothes Download this free PDF and practice the clothing words from Episode 46. Learn the clothes words as you follow along with the episode and start using them in sentences—quick, simple, and effective! In Episode 46, host Susi Blümel expands your German vocabulary with a focus on clothing words. From shirts and coats to trousers and dresses, you’ll learn the most useful nouns, how their plurals work, and where English and German differ in surprising ways. Susi also shares practical tips to make these words stick and explains how to practice them in real life. If you’d like to see what this approach looks like in action and understand why German feels unnecessarily hard for so many learners, join my free live workshop “How to Actually Learn German.” I’ll walk you through what usually goes wrong — and what actually makes progress possible. https://bettergerman.info/workshop

📥Here you'll find the PDF that accompanies this episode: https://bettergerman.info/verbs1. Download this free PDF and practice the verbs from Episode 45 step by step. Learn the forms, follow along with the podcast, and create your own sentences. Quick, simple, and effective—start speaking with confidence today!  In this episode of Better German , host Susi Blümel tackles one of the most essential building blocks of the language: verbs in the present tense. Susi shows you the main patterns of regular verbs, step by step, and explains the verb endings you need to know. With easy examples, she helps you understand the rules and use them in your own sentences. By the end, you'll see that verbs in the present are not as hard as they seem—and you'll feel ready to use them in daily conversations with more confidence. If you’d like to see what this approach looks like in action and understand why German feels unnecessarily hard for so many learners, join my free live workshop “How to Actually Learn German.” I’ll walk you through what usually goes wrong — and what actually makes progress possible. https://bettergerman.info/workshop

📥Here you find the PDF that goes with this episode: https://bettergerman.info/adjectives Download this free guide and practise the 16 core German describing words from Episode 44 — with examples, pronunciation tips, and short exercises that help you actually use them in real sentences. In this episode of Better German, host Susi Blümel walks you through essential adjectives like big, small, old, young,  and more — the words that give your German colour and personality. She explains how to pronounce them (including the German r) and shows simple sentences so you can start using these words right away. By the end, you’ll feel more comfortable describing things in German and be ready for the next part of the adjective series.

📥Here you’ll find the PDF that accompanies this episode: https://bettergerman.info/numbers Download this free PDF and practice the numbers step by step. Count with the podcast, spot the patterns, and use German numbers with confidence. In episode 43 of the Better German Podcast, host Susi Blumel breaks down everything you need to know about German numbers. She guides listeners through counting from 1 to 100, explains the difference between “eins” and “ein,” and introduces patterns for numbers above 20. She also previews upcoming episodes on adjectives, ordinal numbers, and dates. This episode is perfect for beginners or anyone wanting to brush up on their German number skills. If you’d like to see what this approach looks like in action and understand why German feels unnecessarily hard for so many learners, join my free live workshop “How to Actually Learn German.” I’ll walk you through what usually goes wrong — and what actually makes progress possible. https://bettergerman.info/workshop

In this episode of Better German , Susi Blumel helps you start using color words in real sentences. You'll learn how to ask, What color is...? and how to answer with simple phrases. You can also get a free PDF with all the examples—available in the Better German Community , a friendly place to learn and practice together. It's a fun and easy way to start speaking more German! If you’d like to see what this approach looks like in action and understand why German feels unnecessarily hard for so many learners, join my free live workshop “How to Actually Learn German.” I’ll walk you through what usually goes wrong — and what actually makes progress possible. https://bettergerman.info/workshop

In this episode of Better German, host Susi Blumel explores the often confusing concept of “false friends”—German words that look or sound like English ones but mean something entirely different. With relatable stories and examples like Gift , become , and Rat , Susi highlights how these tricky pairs can lead to misunderstandings. She shares practical tips for spotting and mastering false friends, including smart vocabulary-building strategies and the importance of a good dictionary. If you’d like to see what this approach looks like in action and understand why German feels unnecessarily hard for so many learners, join my free live workshop “How to Actually Learn German.” I’ll walk you through what usually goes wrong — and what actually makes progress possible. https://bettergerman.info/workshop

In this episode of Better German teaches listeners the German words for basic colors. She shares updates about her teaching, new online courses, and the free Better German community. Susi provides a clear, repeat-after-me pronunciation guide for a range of color words, tips for memorizing and practicing vocabulary, and practical exercises to help learners integrate these new words into everyday use. Bonus resources, including a handy printable PDF with color vocabulary, are available in the Better German community which is completely free to sign up. If you’d like to see what this approach looks like in action and understand why German feels unnecessarily hard for so many learners, join my free live workshop “How to Actually Learn German.” I’ll walk you through what usually goes wrong — and what actually makes progress possible. https://bettergerman.info/workshop

In Episode 39 of the Better German Podcast, host Susi Blümel returns from a break to introduce the Better German Community—a new space created for German learners.  The community offers courses, but also a range of resources, including live Zoom classes on vocabulary, pronunciation, grammar, conversation, and fluency, along with a MatchUp feature to connect learners for practice. In this episode, Susi dives into the importance of conversation practice in learning German, sharing practical tips on how beginners can start with a study partner. She also emphasizes the value of keeping early conversations correction-free to build confidence and make learning enjoyable. Additionally, Susi invites listeners to join one of her free Zoom conversation classes to put these skills into action. The next episode will focus on German pronunciation—stay tuned!

In episode 38 of the Better German Podcast, host Susi Blumel introduces an upcoming German beginner course and discusses a new frequency for podcast episodes. The main focus of the episode is a word list covering family members in German, with translations and helpful illustrations. Learn German repeating those words! Here you can get the list of words used with translation and an illustration. If you’d like to see what this approach looks like in action and understand why German feels unnecessarily hard for so many learners, join my free live workshop “How to Actually Learn German.” I’ll walk you through what usually goes wrong — and what actually makes progress possible. https://bettergerman.info/workshop

Episode 37 is the third and final part of a mini-series introducing German cases. It briefly recaps the first two episodes, which covered the definition and importance of cases, names of cases, and how verbs determine cases. The focus of this episode is on how German prepositions determine cases, with examples provided for clarity. It also explains special prepositions that require different cases depending on context. Get the free PDF German Case Essentials here. If you’d like to see what this approach looks like in action and understand why German feels unnecessarily hard for so many learners, join my free live workshop “How to Actually Learn German.” I’ll walk you through what usually goes wrong — and what actually makes progress possible. https://bettergerman.info/workshop

In this episode, you will learn the names and basic usages of each of the four cases of the German language. If you’d like to see what what an approach without a lot of grammar looks like in action and understand why German feels unnecessarily hard for so many learners, join my free live workshop “How to Actually Learn German.” I’ll walk you through what usually goes wrong — and what actually makes progress possible. https://bettergerman.info/workshop

In episode 35 of the Better German Podcast , I am going to give you an introduction to German cases. And we are discussing here the very basics - what are cases at all? Why do we have them? Other languages ​​get along just fine without them, so what are they really? If you’d like to see what a different approach to learning German looks like in action and understand why German feels unnecessarily hard for so many learners, join my free live workshop “How to Actually Learn German.” I’ll walk you through what usually goes wrong — and what actually makes progress possible. https://bettergerman.info/workshop

This episode of the Better German podcast provides a comprehensive guide for travelers to German-speaking countries, focusing on essential German words, tips for accommodations, supermarkets, pharmacies, public transport, entertainment options, and restaurants.  Download the free PDF with the words here . If you’d like to see what a different approach to learning German looks like in action and understand why German feels unnecessarily hard for so many learners, join my free live workshop “How to Actually Learn German.” I’ll walk you through what usually goes wrong — and what actually makes progress possible. https://bettergerman.info/workshop

In this episode of the Better German Podcast , Susie Blumel goes into the topic of formal and informal communication in the German language. She explains how the usage of different forms depends on the level of familiarity with the person you are addressing, and how this can vary in social or professional settings, providing practical examples for better comprehension. If you’d like to see what a different approach to learning German looks like in action and understand why German feels unnecessarily hard for so many learners, join my free live workshop “How to Actually Learn German.” I’ll walk you through what usually goes wrong — and what actually makes progress possible. https://bettergerman.info/workshop

In Episode 32 of the Better German Podcast, Susi introduces and explains the meanings of typical German words like 'eh', 'jö', 'gell', 'na ja', and 'gerne'. It also touches on the Better German Academy, a project aiming to provide comprehensive learning materials for German language learners. If you’d like to see what a different approach to learning German looks like in action and understand why German feels unnecessarily hard for so many learners, join my free live workshop “How to Actually Learn German.” I’ll walk you through what usually goes wrong — and what actually makes progress possible. https://bettergerman.info/workshop

Welcome to Episode 31 of the Better German Podcast ! In this episode, we will talk about 'The Sound of Music' from an Austrian perspective, discussing its historical context, the impact of World War II, and the portrayal of Austrian traditions. We will go into the reason why The Sound of Music was literally successful everywhere but in Austria and Germany. But how much of The Sound of Music is actually alive? Just the hills? If you’d like to see what a different approach to learning German looks like in action and understand why German feels unnecessarily hard for so many learners, join my free live workshop “How to Actually Learn German.” I’ll walk you through what usually goes wrong — and what actually makes progress possible. https://bettergerman.info/workshop

This Episode of the Better German Podcast covers the different forms of the verb 'to be' in German, providing examples and explanations for each form. You will also hear about gender in German nouns and get information about resources for learning the language with ease. If you’d like to see what a different approach to learning German looks like in action and understand why German feels unnecessarily hard for so many learners, join my free live workshop “How to Actually Learn German.” I’ll walk you through what usually goes wrong — and what actually makes progress possible. https://bettergerman.info/workshop

Welcome to Episode 29 of the Better German Podcast! This episode discusses the time it takes to learn German, covering different levels of proficiency, hours of learning required on average to learn the different levels, and what to expect to be able to do when you have learned the level. If you are trying to figure out how long it will take you to reach your individual goal of learning German, this episode can help you! If you’d like to see what a different approach to learning German looks like in action and understand why German feels unnecessarily hard for so many learners, join my free live workshop “How to Actually Learn German.” I’ll walk you through what usually goes wrong — and what actually makes progress possible. https://bettergerman.info/workshop

In this episode of the Better German Podcast , Susi Blümel discusses the significance of practice in learning German. She stresses the need for a balance between theory and practice, providing examples and guidelines for effective practice. Susi emphasizes that consistent and substantial practice is essential for mastery of the language, and she offers practical tips for learners to improve their speaking abilities. If you’d like to see what a different approach to learning German looks like in action and understand why German feels unnecessarily hard for so many learners, join my free live workshop “How to Actually Learn German.” I’ll walk you through what usually goes wrong — and what actually makes progress possible. https://bettergerman.info/workshop

Hello and welcome to the Better German Podcast! In this episode, we'll discuss the most important parts of speech in the German language. Host Susi Blumel breaks down the fundamental components of language, from nouns and articles to verbs and adverbs, offering clear explanations in both English and German. By the end of this episode, you'll have a deeper understanding of these essential building blocks of German, paving the way for more effective language learning. So, whether you're a beginner or looking to broaden your linguistic knowledge, stay tuned for a comprehensive introduction to the parts of speech in German. If you’d like to see what a different approach to learning German looks like in action and understand why German feels unnecessarily hard for so many learners, join my free live workshop “How to Actually Learn German.” I’ll walk you through what usually goes wrong — and what actually makes progress possible. https://bettergerman.info/workshop

Hello and welcome to Episode 26 of the Better German Podcast! The host, Susi Blümel, introduces the personal pronouns in the German language, including the basic translations for 'I,' 'you,' 'he,' 'she,' 'it,' 'we,' 'you' (plural), and 'they.' She explains the use of personal pronouns in relation to gendered nouns and also mentions the different forms of address in German for formal and informal situations. The good news?🤓 Get access to lessons, practice, and support—join the Better German Community for free! If you’d like to see what a different approach to learning German looks like in action and understand why German feels unnecessarily hard for so many learners, join my free live workshop “How to Actually Learn German.” I’ll walk you through what usually goes wrong — and what actually makes progress possible. https://bettergerman.info/workshop

Hello and welcome to the Better German Podcast ! In this episode, the host, Susie Blumel, provides a beginner's guide on learning German nouns. She emphasizes the importance of focusing on nouns when first learning the language and provides tips on how to effectively learn and remember them. Susie explains the key components of learning nouns, such as writing and pronouncing the word, understanding its meaning, identifying the article, and learning the plural form. She also encourages using the words in sentences to solidify learning. If you haven't already, jump into the Better German Community and get free access to all the previous PDF worksheets with wordlists you can use for practice! It's also a great place for you if you have been thinking you need to memorize thousands of words or master endless grammar rules. In this community, we teach German in a clear, simple way—so it actually works! If you’d like to see what a different approach to learning German looks like in action and understand why German feels unnecessarily hard for so many learners, join my free live workshop “How to Actually Learn German.” I’ll walk you through what usually goes wrong — and what actually makes progress possible. https://bettergerman.info/workshop

In this episode, we are going into the common trouble of being able to speak German, despite "Learning German". Find out what you can do so start talking from the beginning of your German learning experience! Get the the free PDF Learn German with Movies and TV Shows (that replaces the former Movie Guide) If you’d like to see what a different approach to learning German looks like in action and understand why German feels unnecessarily hard for so many learners, join my free live workshop “How to Actually Learn German.” I’ll walk you through what usually goes wrong — and what actually makes progress possible. https://bettergerman.info/workshop

Hello and welcome to Episode 23 of the Better German Podcast with your host, Susi! This episode continues on the subject of the last episode (22), where the German plural was introduced. In this episode, host Susi will give you the plural forms for simple German words about the body and a room. There is a PDF with the words and their translations that you can access by joining the Better German Community. This is also a great place for you if you have been thinking you’re “bad at languages.” To be honest, you’re not—the method was just wrong. By the way, want to know what course fits you best?📚You can book a free appointment, fill out a short survey, and I’ll guide you through a plan that makes sense for your level and goals! If you’d like to see what a different approach to learning German looks like in action and understand why German feels unnecessarily hard for so many learners, join my free live workshop “How to Actually Learn German.” I’ll walk you through what usually goes wrong — and what actually makes progress possible. https://bettergerman.info/workshop

Welcome to Episode 22 of the Better German Podcast! In this episode, I am going to give you an introduction to the German plural. The episode focuses on explaining the concept of noun plurals in German and mentions different ways of forming plurals, such as adding letters or changing vowels. The script also highlights the importance of learning articles and provides examples of plural forms for various words. If you’d like to see what a different approach to learning German looks like in action and understand why German feels unnecessarily hard for so many learners, join my free live workshop “How to Actually Learn German.” I’ll walk you through what usually goes wrong — and what actually makes progress possible. https://bettergerman.info/workshop

Hello! In this episode of the Better German Podcast, Susi Blümel discusses the differences between the Austrian and German versions of the German language. She covers the areas where German is spoken, the population differences between Germany and Austria, the common written language, and the variations in spoken language and dialects. She also provides advice on learning different regional dialects and understanding Hochdeutsch, the standard form of the German language. If you’d like to see what a different approach to learning German looks like in action and understand why German feels unnecessarily hard for so many learners, join my free live workshop “How to Actually Learn German.” I’ll walk you through what usually goes wrong — and what actually makes progress possible. https://bettergerman.info/workshop

Hello! This is Episode 20 of the Better German Podcast. You will learn a Sentence Pattern, you will learn to say "What is that?" and "That is..." in German. Your host, Susi, will also give you tips on how to practice this, either with a study partner or by yourself. And do not worry, if you want more support learning German, you can simply get into the Better German Community for live lessons, PDF worksheets for this and previous episodes, and friendly help! If you’d like to see what a different approach to learning German looks like in action and understand why German feels unnecessarily hard for so many learners, join my free live workshop “How to Actually Learn German.” I’ll walk you through what usually goes wrong — and what actually makes progress possible. https://bettergerman.info/workshop

Welcome to Episode 19 of the Better German Podcast! In this episode, Susi explains the different levels of German language proficiency and exams. She gives you details about each level, from A1 to C2, and gives you information on what you need each level for, as travel, work, and studying. She also tells you about the relationship between actually learning the language and passing the exams, and why she thinks it is problematic to learn for the exams. This episode is perfect for you to become oriented in the world of language levels and to see which level you need to aim for and what you can expect from each level. The podcast gives you a glimpse into how Susi teaches, but If you’d like to see what a different approach to learning German looks like in action and understand why German feels unnecessarily hard for so many learners, join my free live workshop “How to Actually Learn German.” I’ll walk you through what usually goes wrong — and what actually makes progress possible. https://bettergerman.info/workshop

Hello and welcome to the Better German Podcast! In this episode, Susi Blümel teaches the German alphabet, pronunciation, and special letter combinations. You will get examples and translations for each letter and combination. Learning the alphabet is a step towards mastering German pronunciation and learning to read German.  Find the free PDF that goes with this episode at https://bettergerman.info/alphabet If you’d like to see what a different approach to learning German looks like in action and understand why German feels unnecessarily hard for so many learners, join my free live workshop “How to Actually Learn German.” I’ll walk you through what usually goes wrong — and what actually makes progress possible. https://bettergerman.info/workshop

Welcome to Episode 17 of the Better German Podcast! In this episode, we are looking at the question of why someone should pay for a German course instead of learning for free on YouTube - or should you? What works better in what situations? We are looking at this subject so you can figure out for yourself if it works better for you to use free materials you can find or avail yourself of a paid course. If you’d like to see what a different approach to learning German looks like in action and understand why German feels unnecessarily hard for so many learners, join my free live workshop “How to Actually Learn German.” I’ll walk you through what usually goes wrong — and what actually makes progress possible. https://bettergerman.info/workshop

This is an episode about festivals and holidays in autumn and winter in Austria. It is the second part of the episode, and the focus is on the time before Christmas and Christmas in Vienna. The host, Susi Blümel, talks about the weather, traditions, and experiences related to these festivals and holidays. She also mentions other events such as Advent, St. Nicholas Day, and New Year's Eve. The episode includes a word list with translations and suggestions for learning German words related to the topic. If you’d like to see what a different approach to learning German looks like in action and understand why German feels unnecessarily hard for so many learners, join my free live workshop “How to Actually Learn German.” I’ll walk you through what usually goes wrong — and what actually makes progress possible. https://bettergerman.info/workshop

Welcome to Episode 15 of the Better German Podcast ! In this episode, we will cover the basic rules of capitalization in German. Capitalization means writing some words with a big letter (capital) at the beginning of the word. German is the only language that writes many words other than names and the beginnings of sentences with a capital letter. We are going to cover the basic rules and make sure you will not get confused about this when learning German. If you’d like to see what a different approach to learning German looks like in action and understand why German feels unnecessarily hard for so many learners, join my free live workshop “How to Actually Learn German.” I’ll walk you through what usually goes wrong — and what actually makes progress possible. https://bettergerman.info/workshop

Hello and welcome to the Better German Podcast ! In this episode, we will explore the benefits of watching German movies and TV shows with subtitles as a tool to aid in learning the German language. This is great for both independent learners and students who are taking a course or classes. In this episode, we will also cover programs on Amazon, Netflix, Disney+, and YouTube. For each one of these platforms, we will cover specific movie or TV show recommendations that are suitable for different levels - advanced beginners, intermediate students, upper intermediate, and advanced. To help you learn faster, get this Free PDF with my best movie recommendations. (This PDF Guide replaces the former interactive movie guide that is no longer working) If you’d like to see what a different approach to learning German looks like in action and understand why German feels unnecessarily hard for so many learners, join my free live workshop “How to Actually Learn German.” I’ll walk you through what usually goes wrong — and what actually makes progress possible. https://bettergerman.info/workshop

Welcome to Episode 13 of the Better German Podcast with your host, Susi. This episode focuses on special days, holidays, and festivals in the German-speaking area throughout autumn and winter. Highlights include coverage of Austria's diverse traditions and the Austrian national holiday. Furthermore, language and cultural nuances concerning religious holidays, cultural festivals, and national events are discussed. Susi also compares Thanksgiving to holidays in Austria. Alongside these points, she mentions the upcoming guide for watching German TV shows and movies that will be released in the upcoming episode. If you’d like to see what a different approach to learning German looks like in action and understand why German feels unnecessarily hard for so many learners, join my free live workshop “How to Actually Learn German.” I’ll walk you through what usually goes wrong — and what actually makes progress possible. https://bettergerman.info/workshop

Episode 12 of the Better German Podcast is an audio version of a lesson from the Beginner German Course. The lesson covers a list of words about objects commonly found in a classroom or office. You will get audio repetition for pronunciation practice, and you will learn actively by repeating words and translations aloud. Get the PDF with the words in the Better German Podcast community. You will find all podcast resources in there and so much more. It is also the home of the Better German Courses. If you’d like to see what a different approach to learning German looks like in action and understand why German feels unnecessarily hard for so many learners, join my free live workshop “How to Actually Learn German.” I’ll walk you through what usually goes wrong — and what actually makes progress possible. https://bettergerman.info/workshop

Welcome to Episode 11 of the Better German podcast with y. In this episode, Susi offers her top seven tips for individuals trying to learn the German language. These include practical for learners of all levels, no matter if they are already attending a course or not. So, if you are learning German and want to make faster progress or have more fun doing it, or if you want to get started – this episode is for you! And if you haven't already, make sure to join the Better German Community to connect with other learners, access exclusive resources, and take your German to the next level! If you’d like to see what a different approach to learning German looks like in action and understand why German feels unnecessarily hard for so many learners, join my free live workshop “How to Actually Learn German.” I’ll walk you through what usually goes wrong — and what actually makes progress possible. https://bettergerman.info/workshop

Welcome to Episode 10 of the Better German podcast, hosted by Susi Blümel! This episode is focused on German greetings and introductions and represents the second part of this topic. Susi outlines common German phrases and provides their English translations, offering cultural and linguistic context for each one. She also asks listeners to repeat the phrases for practice. She recommends that listeners download a PDF of the script for further practice, available when you become a member of the Better German Community. You’ll find worksheets for this and other episodes there, too!   To wrap up, Susi invites you to sign up for her newsletter, share the podcast, and check out her online German courses if you’re ready to go deeper. If you’d like to see what a different approach to learning German looks like in action and understand why German feels unnecessarily hard for so many learners, join my free live workshop “How to Actually Learn German.” I’ll walk you through what usually goes wrong — and what actually makes progress possible. https://bettergerman.info/workshop

In this episode, you are going to learn all the basic words you need to understand phrases to introduce yourself and greet other people, and you will also learn the phrases. This is something you should learn early on, so dive into it and have fun! If you’d like to see what a different approach to learning German looks like in action and understand why German feels unnecessarily hard for so many learners, join my free live workshop “How to Actually Learn German.” I’ll walk you through what usually goes wrong — and what actually makes progress possible. https://bettergerman.info/workshop

We're diving deep into a topic that many of us grapple with when learning a new language: Grammar. How much grammar is really necessary? Should we sweat over every rule and tense, or is there a better way? In this episode, we'll explore the importance of striking a balance between grammar and practical application. I'll share some insights on how overemphasis on grammar can hinder our progress and confidence. We'll also discuss the power of learning sentence patterns, the significance of vocabulary, and the gradual improvement we can achieve, just like a child learning their first words. So, let's unlock the secrets of mastering German without getting lost in the sea of grammar rules. If traditional courses left you confused or frustrated, you’ll love our approach! If you’d like to see what a different approach to learning German looks like in action and understand why German feels unnecessarily hard for so many learners, join my free live workshop “How to Actually Learn German.” I’ll walk you through what usually goes wrong — and what actually makes progress possible. https://bettergerman.info/workshop

Welcome to a new episode of the Better German podcast! In this episode, we will be exploring the fascinating world of sentence patterns in the German language. I, Susi Blümel, your host, will guide you through this episode, which is actually one of the earliest videos in our A1.1 course. Check out our Better German courses here. We will focus on a specific sentence pattern, "That is _____," and I will teach you how to fill in the blank correctly. This method of learning grammar through sentence patterns is both efficient and enjoyable. With between 100 and 150 sentence patterns, you will have a solid foundation of the basic language of German. In this episode, we will be using vocabulary related to body parts, building upon what we learned in the previous episode. So join me on this language learning journey as we master sentence patterns and expand our German vocabulary. Let's get started! If you’d like to see what a different approach to learning German looks like in action and understand why German feels unnecessarily hard for so many learners, join my free live workshop “How to Actually Learn German.” I’ll walk you through what usually goes wrong — and what actually makes progress possible. https://bettergerman.info/workshop

In this episode of the Better German podcast, you will learn a list of words - body parts - in German! This is a great list for total beginners, it is also good as a review, or if you want to learn the correct articles for the words. You will learn the meaning and the pronunciation of these words by repeating. I encourage you to get the PDF with the written-out words and translation by simply becoming a member of the Better German Community and experiencing for yourself how we make it easier (and more fun)! The next episode, Episode Seven (7), builds on this one, and you will learn to say sentences with these words. If you’d like to see what a different approach to learning German looks like in action and understand why German feels unnecessarily hard for so many learners, join my free live workshop “How to Actually Learn German.” I’ll walk you through what usually goes wrong — and what actually makes progress possible. https://bettergerman.info/workshop

In this episode of the Better German podcast, you will be provided with an introduction to articles in the German language. I will give you an introduction to what articles are, as you will start meeting right from the beginning of your language journey. I will describe the meaning (something which is left out very often) and what function they serve in German. I compare the limited number of articles in English (such as "a" and "the") to the slightly more numerous articles in German ("ein", "eine", and "der," "die," "das"). Remember, you don’t need to memorize thousands of words or master endless grammar rules. In the Better German Community, we teach German in a clear, simple way—so it actually works. In this episode, I also discuss how articles can indicate specificity or generality, and how they are essential for constructing correct sentences in German. While acknowledging that some learners find articles challenging, I will explain the importance of learning them from the beginning and give you a bit of an outlook on what's to come already in the next episode, and that through repetition and interactive exercises, you will become comfortable using German articles. Overall, this episode aims to provide a foundational understanding of articles in German and encourage you to get a got start with them right away. If you’d like to see what a different approach to learning German looks like in action and understand why German feels unnecessarily hard for so many learners, join my free live workshop “How to Actually Learn German.” I’ll walk you through what usuall...

In this episode of the Better German Podcast , Susi Blümel introduces the approach she is using to teach German. She emphasizes the importance of speaking and practicing the language, rather than solely focusing on grammar rules. Susi encourages learners to adopt a natural approach, similar to how they learned their native language. She explains the effectiveness of repetition and the use of sentence patterns to create meaningful and practical sentences.    She also highlights the need for consistent practice in order to become comfortable and fluent in speaking German. Overall, this episode provides valuable insights into a different approach to learning German that focuses on practicality and real-life communication. If you’d like to see what a different approach to learning German looks like in action and understand why German feels unnecessarily hard for so many learners, join my free live workshop “How to Actually Learn German.” I’ll walk you through what usually goes wrong — and what actually makes progress possible. https://bettergerman.info/workshop

In this episode of the Better German podcast, your host, Susi Blümel, breaks down some of the most important words and concepts every German learner should know. Whether you're just starting or brushing up on your skills, understanding the language of learning is key! 😩 Tried learning German before and got stuck on the grammar? The Better German Community takes a different approach—no overwhelm, just real progress through understanding and practice. Quickly sign up here to get this episode's freebie, the PDF worksheet you can practice with! In this episode, Susi further emphasizes the importance of finding a German course that is accessible and understandable for beginners, suggesting that having a course in one's native language or at least in English can be beneficial. If you’d like to see what a different approach to learning German looks like in action and understand why German feels unnecessarily hard for so many learners, join my free live workshop “How to Actually Learn German.” I’ll walk you through what usually goes wrong — and what actually makes progress possible. https://bettergerman.info/workshop

In this episode of the Better German podcast, host Susi discusses the reasons why learning German is beneficial. Susi emphasizes the importance of learning German for individuals living in German-speaking countries, as it allows for better integration into the local community and enhances communication with natives. She also highlights the advantages of speaking German when dealing with official matters and navigating legal systems. Additionally, Susi emphasizes the benefits of learning German for travelers, as it opens up new opportunities for exploration and deeper cultural understanding. Furthermore, she explains the career advantages of speaking German, both in terms of job prospects and the potential for bilingual positions. By the way, this episode includes a free PDF worksheet for practice. Hop into the Better German Community to access this and other episodes' resources!    If you’d like to see what a different approach to learning German looks like in action and understand why German feels unnecessarily hard for so many learners, join my free live workshop “How to Actually Learn German.” I’ll walk you through what usually goes wrong — and what actually makes progress possible. https://bettergerman.info/workshop

Hey there! Welcome to Better German—the podcast that makes learning German finally feel doable and fun!  I’m Susi, your host, and I couldn't be more excited to launch this podcast! Whether you’ve just begun learning German, you’ve tried before and felt stuck, or you’re curious about how to get started, this podcast is for you.   In each episode, we’ll explore effective learning techniques, share hand-picked resources, and even dive into specific tips for learning German while living in or visiting Vienna. In this first episode, I’ll give you a quick overview of what to expect from the show, what’s coming up, and how Better German can help you make real progress—no matter where you’re starting from.So grab your headphones, and let’s begin! If you’d like to see what a different approach to learning German looks like in action and understand why German feels unnecessarily hard for so many learners, join my free live workshop “How to Actually Learn German.” I’ll walk you through what usually goes wrong — and what actually makes progress possible. https://bettergerman.info/workshop