German language courses
Speaking a foreign language can open doors — but what is the best way to learn a new language?
In most of the cases, it is best to take a class in order to learn structures, pronunciation, and new words in a professional and systematic way. A class should therefore be as individual as possible, tailored to the specific and personal needs of the learner — that’s you!
If you are looking for a personal language class and tutor with whom you can learn German without stress and performance pressure, then you have come to the right place. Classes are tailor-made for you. They can be conducted one-to-one, or you can learn alongside you spouse or partner, if you prefer. Regardless of whether you’re just starting out, or if you’re a seasoned speaker who just needs to brush up on the minutiae of German grammar, I am happy to support and assist you with your learning projects.
Feel free to take a closer look at the classes I offer, so we can start developing your personally-tailored German class together.
USPs for language classes
- ✓ Personal and need-oriented
- ✓ Personal
- ✓ Practically oriented
- ✓ Flexible
- ✓ Professional
- ➔ More
Individual German class
In an individual class (or one-to-one class) you will be learning alone. You decide the pace as well as the topics you would like to tackle, and I will adjust the class to your preferences. It is also entirely up to you whether we focus on your conversational German skills or whether you would like to learn more about grammar and structure. This also applies to the material which we will chose together (perfectly matched to your level, preferences, and needs).
FAQ:
No. The advantage of an individual class is the great flexibility of the appointments which we can shift and reschedule whenever it’s necessary. It is crucial, however, to stay in touch and to talk about possible changes regarding appointment scheduling.
The intensity of the class can always be adjusted accordingly because you decide on how fast you want to progress. Please keep in mind that listening and watching movies or short clips is also part of a language class.
Group German class (up to 4 participants)
This learning model might be interesting for expat couples who would like to learn together. But also, smaller groups, perhaps colleagues, may benefit from learning German together. The learners should be aware of the fact that participants will sometimes need a bit of patience when taking a group class. The advantage, however, is that you create a camaraderie through the shared experience.
FAQ:
In general, this is not a problem. Of course, I will have to check on how big the difference between the levels actually is, so the class is not going to turn out to be frustrating for one half, and boring for the other half. But in general, everything is possible with a little patience.
No, on the contrary. Every learner has specific strengths, and so do you. While you might be a bit behind on grammar, you might perhaps know more German idioms or words than the other participants. In this way, you can all learn from each other within the group.
Intensive German class/“crash course” for one person
Do you only know the phrase “Ein Bier, bitte.“, but have to move to a German speaking country within the next three months? Then you might need an intensive class. German can be challenging, but it’s not impossible to learn. In an intensive German class, you will get familiar with simple structures and will learn basic phrases with which you can get by in the beginning. You will also train your understanding of German with easy listening exercises as well as pronunciation. The duration of the class can vary according to our agreement.
FAQ:
No, it is never too late to start learning new things. German can be challenging, but give yourself some time (and in the beginning, it’s perfectly fine to improvise a little using “Denglish”). Perhaps you might be interested in a class with a focus on culture where you will learn more about the country as well as the people living in Germany.
That might be true in bigger cities, but it’s still not the case that English is being spoken everywhere in Germany. And especially when communicating with authorities (e.g. a job agency), German is a requirement since it is the official language. Often, it is not only more practical, but speaking the language can also be the key to getting to know locals and to making new friends.
Specialized German classes (e.g. business German, German for graduates at university, grammar classes, writing in German etc.)
This class model aims to be helpful for everyone who already speaks German on a very good level would but maybe like to “polish” their skills here and there. This can be the case for managers who often need to give presentations, but, of course, in German. This class model can also be handy for learners who struggle with tricky grammar topics and would like to repeat or train them a little more. It is also useful if written communication is becoming increasingly important to your role.
FAQ:
Selbstverständlich werden Sie nicht zu einem Kurs gezwungen. Wenn Sie sich sicher fühlen und das Gefühl haben, dass Sie in beruflichen Situationen sicher mit der Sprache umgehen können, dann ist dies optimal. Häufig ist es aber so, dass der Eindruck entsteht, beruflich weniger kompetent zu sein, weil hier und da ein kleiner Fehler in der Fremdsprache entsteht. Erfahrungsgemäß hindert dies viele Teilnehmende daran, überhaupt Deutsch im Job zu verwenden und wirkt verunsichernd. Ein Kurs kann hier eine Stütze sein und mehr Sicherheit und Selbstvertrauen geben.
Definitiv. Sie müssen sich den Lernprozess wie einen Marathon vorstellen: Die letzten Meter sind am zähesten. Aber man lernt nie aus, sodass auch ein Kurs auf einem sehr hohen Niveau noch viele Nutzen für Sie haben kann.
Exam preparation (TELC, Goethe certificate) for every German level
This class has a very specific goal, namely an official German language certificate. In Germany, this is usually TELC (The European Language Certificate) or the Goethe Zertifikat (a certificate by Goethe Institut). In Austria, it‘s a certificate called ÖSD (Österreichisches Sprachdiplom). These tests have a pretty standardized structure, comprising four parts: Reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Such a certificate is often needed in order to get a visa or for authorities to recognize a diploma or an education degree from your home country. Sometimes, a certain certified German level is required for attending a German university.
FAQ:
A certain level in German is definitely a big plus, but you often have to train how to apply a specific strategy of solving the tasks in such an exam. That means that sometimes, it is not sufficient to manage small talk in German. Rather, you will have to be able to navigate very specific tasks, like writing a cover letter for a job application or answering multiple choice questions in a very short time. A preparation class can provide security as well as feedback, so you succeed in the test.
Of course, there is no guarantee of a successful exam, but we can certainly increase your chances of passing it. It is important to systematically eliminate mistakes and to detect your individual strengths and weaknesses in German so we can prepare you in the best way possible. Unfortunately, you often get no feedback whatsoever after failing an exam, so it is harder to identify your weaknesses without a professional insight. It is an entirely different story when you take a preparatory class. It is the best way to pinpoint and learn from your mistakes.
German class with a focus on culture (life in Germany, new in Germany, understanding the Germans)
Sometimes, you can speak a language pretty well – but still don’t understand a word people say. Sound familiar? People in other countries simply communicate differently. And understanding Germans can be quite tricky; just take the question of Sie and Du and when to use it! A German class with a focus on culture, mentality, and people can be helpful in order to better understand the German mentality — or at least to learn to cope with the differences with a generous helping of humor.
FAQ:
Sometimes, it can be helpful to understand the people in the new country you moved to. This class goes beyond just vocabulary and grammar. It doesn’t require you to leave your own culture behind — quite the opposite. But cultural misunderstandings often happen because we don’t know enough about the new country or the mentality of the people living there. In order to make your new beginning in Germany easier for you, a class with the focus on German culture can be helpful for you and your family (or colleagues) in terms of providing insights for professional conduct as well as private situations in your day-to-day life in Germany.
This course model is supposed to be a solid base for you, so you get by in the beginning in Germany (mostly to avoid a cultural shock). In many cases, learners continue to learn on their own, simply by living in the country, how and where German culture truly differs from the one in your home country. It is probably sufficient to schedule three or four appointments in order to give you a “jump start”.
USPs for language classes:
Personal and need-oriented:
My tailored classes are conceived to cater to your individual needs. By giving and receiving regular feedback and by communicating transparently, we can ensure that this stays this way throughout the entire class. The content, as well as the focus, will be determined by your preferences. We follow only one learning schedule — yours!
Personal:
You will be learning with me as your personal German trainer and not with an app. We will get to know each other and will have authentic conversations, exactly in the way you would communicate with other native speakers as well.
Practically oriented:
The focus is on the question of how relevant a topic, a structure or a term is for you: what do you really need? Where and how do you use the language in your day-to-day life (job, private life)? Textbooks, material, and learning goals will be adjusted to the usage in real life, always with the focus on communication.
Flexible:
Appointments for classes will be scheduled according to your capacity and online classes give you maximum flexibility — regardless of your country, city of residence, or time zone.
Professional :
Thanks to years of teaching experience with very different target groups, I am able to provide high-quality language classes. Additionally, I refined my teaching methods and grew my own knowledge by partaking in a training for teachers (teaching methods and pedagogy) by the Goethe Institut in Munich. I am also a licensed examiner and evaluator for TELC exams. With German being my native language, I am able to give you insights into authentic usage of the language.
FAQ
Genauso, wie es beim Sport den „inneren Schweinehund“ gibt, existiert dieser auch beim Erlernen einer Sprache. Oft ist es dann am besten, wenn man einen festen Termin für das Training hat und auch einen Coach (also eine Sprachlehrerin), durch den man motiviert und angeleitet wird. Der Kontakt von Mensch zu Mensch hat sich in meiner Erfahrung als die beste Methode erwiesen, kann aber durch eine App unterstützt werden.
Man ist nie zu alt, um eine neue Sprache zu lernen! Viele glauben fest daran, ab etwa 16 Jahren nie wieder eine Sprache lernen zu können – dabei haben Sie als Erwachsene/r doch die besten Voraussetzungen: Systematisches Arbeiten, analytisches Denken, grammatische Grundlagen und wahrscheinlich schon eine andere erlernte Fremdsprache sind die besten Bedingungen, um Deutsch neu zu lernen. Bedenken Sie, dass Kinder meist all diese Vorteile nicht haben; sie haben meist einfach mehr Zeit und weniger Stress als Erwachsene und können sich somit ganz ungehindert der neuen Sprache widmen.
Aber natürlich. Aktuell leben allein in Deutschland 82 Millionen Sprecherinnen und Sprecher. Deutsch ist sicherlich eine Herausforderung, aber genau wie bei allen Dingen, die neu erlernt werden, benötigen Sie schlicht vier Dinge: Zeit, Motivation, Disziplin und die entsprechende Lernumgebung.
Selbstverständlich. Sie sind übrigens mit dieser Überzeugung nicht allein, denn viele Menschen glauben an die sogenannten „subjektiven Theorien“; also, dass man selbst rein gar kein Talent für Sprachen hat. Allerdings stimmt dies gar nicht, denn Sie sprechen ja schon mindestens eine Sprache, nämlich Ihre Muttersprache, die Sie gelernt haben! Meist variiert einzig und allein das Tempo, in dem man eine neue Sprache lernt, aber am Ende führen ja bekanntlich viele Wege nach Rom.
Online-Kurse rufen bei vielen Lernenden Skepsis hervor und mit dieser Frage sind Sie nicht allein. Meiner Erfahrung nach lernen viele allerdings sogar online noch besser als in einem klassischen Präsenzkurs: Keine Anreise, volle Konzentration auf den Bildschirm und die gleichen Übungen wie im traditionellen Unterricht sind Faktoren, die das Lernen positiv beeinflussen.
Hier steht Ihnen alles offen, mit einer Bedingung: Es muss Ihnen Freude machen! Natürlich werde ich Ihnen als Trainerin das eine oder andere Buch empfehlen, aber meine Philosophie ist hier, dass Sie beim Aufschlagen des Buches Lust haben sollten, mehr zu lernen. Apps, Serien oder Bücher und Zeitungen sind dazu eine willkommene Ergänzung.
Man sagt, dass nur 15 Minuten pro Tag ausreichend sind, um stetig Fortschritte zu machen. Erfahrungsgemäß sind drei Termine à 90 Minuten in der Woche ein sicherer Rhythmus, um schnelle Fortschritte zu sehen. Aber gönnen Sie Ihrem Kopf auch eine Pause, denn nicht umsonst heißt es „Sprachtraining“ und geht auch mit einer gewissen Anstrengung einher.
Das hängt ganz von Ihren Anforderungen ab: Zwischen 60 und 120 Minuten ist alles möglich, allerdings ist bei längeren Sitzungen eine Pause zu empfehlen. Optimal ist für viele Teilnehmenden eine Sitzung von 90 Minuten Länge.
Am besten verwenden Sie das Kontaktformular, um mir etwas mehr über sich zu berichten. So kann ich mir ein Bild machen und Sie können mir Ihre Vorstellungen und Wünsche mitteilen. Innerhalb von 48 Stunden setze ich mich dann mit Ihnen in Verbindung, um einen ersten Termin zu vereinbaren. In dem ersten (kostenpflichtigen, aber für den weiteren Kurs unverbindlichen) Kurstermin lernen wir uns kennen, sprechen über Ziele und Vorstellungen und vereinbaren ggf. einen Folgetermin. Sie können auch ein Paket buchen, indem Sie direkt eine feste Anzahl von Terminen zahlen und diese dann nehmen, wann Sie möchten.
Wenn Sie einmal keine Zeit haben, ist dies nicht weiter schlimm. Eine Absage unter 24 Stunden wird allerdings in Rechnung gestellt und fällt unter den Begriff „Late Cancellation“.