Better German Podcast with Susi

In Episode 38 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.

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.

In this episode, you will learn the names and basic usages of each of the four cases of the German language.

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? 

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. The host, Susi, also introduces a future course on German for traveling. Download the free PDF with the words here.

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. 

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.

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?

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.

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!

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.

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. Did you know you can be part of our growing group of learners and have access to all our PDF worksheets and wordlists you can use for practice? Hop into the Better German Community today, connect and get started! If You Are Curious About Courses📚Book a short, free appointment and I’ll create a personalized plan for you. We’ll also go through your first lesson so you can see how the method works.

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! And if you 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.

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! Also thinking about learning German with support?📚Book a free first session to get your personalized program and a feel for the method. No pressure—just a clear path based on where you’re at.

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! The good news is that you have the comfort of the Better German Community, where we skip the unnecessary rules and help you truly get the language—step by step, no stress! And if you want a learning plan that actually fits you? Start with a free appointment. I’ll take a look at your goals and level, and we’ll walk through your first personalized lesson together.

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 on Heartbeat. 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!

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. 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. Are you also Interested in taking a course?📚 Start by booking a free appointment. You’ll fill out a short questionnaire, get a personalized learning plan, and we’ll do your first lesson together.

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. You don’t need to memorize thousands of words or master endless grammar rules. Inside the Better German Community, we teach German in a clear, simple way—so it actually works. The community comes with free access to  PDF worksheets of word lists from previous episodes to help you boost your skills. And, if you 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.

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! 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.

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 relation 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're ready to take it further, the Better German Community is where the real magic happens! Connect with fellow learners, explore in-depth topics, and download PDF worksheets and word lists from previous episodes to boost your skills. 📚 Prefer learning with structure and support? Book a free first session to get your personalized program and a feel for the method. No pressure—just a clear path based on where you’re at.

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. Better yet, you can hop into the Better German Community, where you can get the free PDF for this episode with the alphabet, all additional letters, and the list of words for each letter. Want a learning plan that actually fits you?🤓Start with a free appointment. Susi will take a look at your goals and level and will walk through your first personalized lesson together.

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. Don’t forget to check out our freebies in the Better German Community. And if you're curious about our full courses, book a short, free appointment. I’ll put together a personalized learning plan just for you—and we’ll even do your first lesson together so you can experience the method firsthand. 

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 traditional courses left you confused or frustrated, you’ll love our approach. Hop into the Better German Community where we are all about understanding, not just memorizing—and it’s made for real learners like you. You will also find the PDF worksheet on Words and Dates for this episode in the community. And if Curious About Courses 🤓 Book a short, free appointment, and Susi will create a personalized plan for you. She’ll also go through your first lesson so you can see how the method works!

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’ve felt lost trying to learn German, you’re not alone. In the Better German Community, we skip the unnecessary rules and help you truly get the language—step by step, no stress. You’ll also get access to helpful PDF worksheets from previous episodes to make your learning easier and more effective.  And if you’re wondering what course is the right fit for you — 🤔 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.

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.  And if you'd like to take it a step further, the Better German Community is the place to be! Join other learners, get access to live classes, and download helpful PDF worksheets from previous episodes. In this episode, we will also cover programs on Amazon, Netflix, Disney+, and YouTube. For every 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 Interactive Movie Guide with all the movies that we are going over in this episode and more! Interested in Taking a Course?📚 Start by booking a free appointment. You’ll fill out a short questionnaire, get a personalized learning plan, and we’ll do your first lesson together!

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 forthcoming episode. But hey, there’s more than just podcast episodes! Hop into the Better German Community for live classes, Q&As, and more! And, do you also want a learning plan that actually fits you? Start with a free appointment. Susi will take a look at your goals and level, and walk through your first personalized lesson together.

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. Watch this episode's video version on Susi's course platform for free, and grab the PDF worksheet for this episode (and others!) by simply joining the Better German Community!

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! 

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. 

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!

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! The Better German Community is all about understanding, not just memorizing—and it’s made for real learners like you.

Welcome to a new episode of Better German podacst! 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. 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! Oh, you also want more than just podcast tips?😩 Then become a member of the Better German Community for live classes, Q&As, and more!

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 builds on this one, and you will learn to say sentences with these words. 

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"). I 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. 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 of Better German, 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.

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! She 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. Susi introduces several basic terms such as "Kurs" (course), "Deutsch" (German), "Anfänger" (beginner), and "Fortgeschritten" (advanced). She also explains the meaning of abbreviations like A1, which denotes the first level of German language proficiency. Additionally, Susi covers terms like "Schule" (school), "lernen" (to learn), and "Wiederholen" (to repeat), among others. She concludes by highlighting the importance of practical and contextual grammar instruction and encourages listeners to check out the show notes on her website for more resources and materials. 😩 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.

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. Lastly, Susi mentions the importance of learning German for individuals planning to study in Austria. Overall, this episode provides compelling reasons to learn German for personal, professional, and academic growth! Important Resource for This Episode Download the worksheet for this episode here

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!