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How (Not) to Learn German Part 2 of 2
In Part 1, we explored the three most problematic approaches to learning German.
In Part 2 here today, we'll explore solutions to those three problematic approaches. They're all easier than you think, easily actionable, and will get you further in German than you might have thought possible.
If you're frustrated with German, if you haven't made progress like you wanted, and you just don't know what to do differently, this episode is for you.
Be sure to subscribe to automatically recei…
How (Not) to Learn German Part 1 of 2
Consider your strategy and overall approach to German.
If you have been working on German for a while and are only treading water, this episode will help you figure out which parts of your learning approach are getting in your way.
You'll hear three of the most common, problematic approaches I've seen in the last 11 years of teaching German and 18 years of teaching a foreign language.
This is part 1 of 2 because part 2 will then guide you into more constructive territory for German learning. …
Erst Ordnung schaffen - First Create Order
«Erst Ordnung schaffen.»
the stylist proclaimed as she clipped a section of my hair to the side and combed the section she was about to cut.
Erst Ordnung schaffen.
First, create order.
At that moment the hairstylist probably had no clue what an impact she would have on my life.
Her comment was my official introduction to the German sense of order.
In this first episode of the GermanWithNicole.com Podcast you'll hear how one of my private lesson clients created order and how it has chan…
Practice Dates in German Using Dative, With Free Audio
And find out more about the first three episodes of the GermanWithNicole.com Podcast
The first episode of the GermanWithNicole.com Podcast is going to publish in only a few days.
The second and third episodes will follow soon after, and you can find out what those dates are in this short listening exercise.
Ihre Aufgabe:
Your task is to listen to the audio below and to note which dates the first three episodes will be released (auf Deutsch, natürlich) and then how often new episodes will b…
The GermanWithNicole.com Podcast is here!
As usual, the German text is first, then after the flower you'll find the text in English.
Die GermanWithNicole.com Sendung (der Podcast) ist hier! Die Vorschau ist bereit zum Hören und Sie können die Sendung jetzt abonnieren.
Sie können entweder ihre Lieblingspodcastapp öffnen und nach GERMANWITHNICOLE suchen (alles ein Wort), oder Sie können diesen link benutzen:
https://germanwithnicole.captivate.fm/listen
Die Sendung gibt es jetzt überall: Apple Podcasts, Podcast Addict, Spotify, Goog…
A2 German Listening Practice (Fun, Guided, and Interesting)
Once you're past the foundational learning of the A1 level of German you're probably ready to listen to something more interesting.
Something constructive, positive. Something that piques your interest.
The A1 level materials don't go very deep. Because they can't.
At A2 you can explore more topics and you'll start to listen to German in a different way.
But you don't want to go too far and get overwhelmed.
If the regular news is too hard and too scary for you, a good solution might be St…
Fun, Guided German Listening Practice for Levels A1-C2
NAGELNEU!
Brand new!
If you're looking for listening practice at your level of German, you can now find it in Stube Radio.
Stube Radio is a new element in the Weekly German Practice with Nicole and it is two audios per month with PDF transcripts for you to download and keep (if you like).
What Stube Radio ISN'T
The most important thing for you to understand is that Stube Radio ISN'T news articles based on the horror-show of the day.
It's not some super bored dude reading off the news at a …
Practice German Weekly With Nicole
Most German learners get online and they search for a topic in German and they fall down a rabbit hole.
They become completely overwhelmed.
Some learners carry on, head held high, and create some regular learning routine, but they can't figure out how to speak German on their own.
Too many people love German, but hate learning it.
Because they don't have consistent, guided practice at their level.
...but they could. And so could you.
You can practice reading and writing in German every wee…
Jein = ja + nein
"Jein" is definitely one of the best words in the German language.
It's one word for both yes and no.
ja + nein = jein
Knowing the word "jein" in German opens up a whole new world for German learners and their eyes get really big and their ears perk the first time they hear the word.
"Jein" also has several uses; for starters, "jein" allows you to give two simultaneous answers to one question: ja und nein - yes and no.
This is perfect for difficult answers.
When it's impossible to give a s…
"zu Hause" vs. "nach Hause"
The difference between "zu Hause" vs. "nach Hause" easily trips up German learners, but it doesn't have to trip you up if you use the tips below.
1. "zu Hause" = (at) home
"zu" is usually used as a preposition, so it would stand by itself and you might think that "zu Hause" means "to home."
This is an exception.
When you say "zu Hause," you're really using it as one block of language.
Think of the sentence "Ich bin zu Hause" and picture it like three wooden blocks:
[Ich] [bin] [zu H…