das Blog

Und was gibt es im Dezember?

The GermanWithNicole Klub is a membership site I introduced on October 1 and there you can read news articles, download activities like crossword puzzles and learn more German grammar with activities I've created just for you.

It's fun to give you the highlights of what activities people received in November and December.

There are only 3 activities per month, unless it's a 5-week month, then there are 4 activities, and there is always one week off per month. This...

Do these words sound like they would be delicious when baked together?

der Zimt

das Ei

die Mandel

der Puderzucker

If so, you're in for a treat. (See what I did there?)

Here are three easy Christmas cookie recipes you can try baking at home, one each from a website in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

Viel Vergnügen!

 1. Vanillekipferl von GuteKüche.at

GuteKueche.at calls itself «Das österreichische Gourmet-Portal» and I've been on their mailing list for...

der Adventskranz = advent wreath

Growing up, I never really understood the difference. I even got an Advent calendar from my grandmother every year, but nobody ever explained to me the difference very clearly.

So you can imagine that it was a bit of a shock when I moved to Germany and found out: »Advent ist nicht Weihnachten!«.

No, Advent is *not* Christmas. It is the time before Christmas.

Here's how I learned the...

The Easy German Book Club is back!

On December 5th you can join us to discuss the book «Weihnachtskrimi in München», a part of the Detektiv Müller series from Klett Publishing.

We'll meet once for 90 minutes and we'll meet in my Adobe Connect online classroom. You can join via your smartphone,...

Hallo liebe Leserinnen und Leser!

As my teaching studio was full for a long time, it's very exciting today to post more open lesson times.

Lessons take place Tuesdays - Saturdays; times listed are in the Central Time Zone (Milwaukee, WI)

• Wednesdays at 3.00 p.m. or 5.45 p.m.
• Fridays at 9.45 a.m., 1.00 p.m., 2.15 pm or 3.30 pm

N.B. if you are on the waiting list for a Saturday lesson time, I've still got you on the list.

If any of these times work for you, please visit the German Lessons page...

The Easy German Book Club is back!

On December 5th you can join us to discuss the book "Weihnachtskrimi in München," a part of the Detektiv Müller series from Klett Publishing.

We'll meet once for 90 minutes and we'll meet in my Adobe Connect online classroom. You can join via your smartphone, tablet or...

Oktoberfest is almost here--this year it's September 21st through Oktober 6th--only ten days away!

Pack up your Dirndl, your Lederhosen, your Maß and your Handy, and make sure you take enough cash with you. This year one liter of Bier costs anywhere from EUR 11,40 to EUR 15,90. A soda costs at least EUR 8 in any tent, plus you're going to need some fabulous Bavarian food to sustain you through all the rides and singing.

So what if you're going to Oktoberfest but you don't speak German?

How many times have you heard this: somebody traveled to Germany and came back with a story that ends with "Gee, I'm glad somebody spoke English!" ?

If I had a dollar for every time I've heard that story...

Most of the people who tell me this story have actually (tried many times) to learn German. But they didn't ever really learn anything. And they all sound the same, because they all have one thing in common. One thing that they all did wrong when they were learning German.

...

Do you need a German back-to-school gift?

If you're not sure what to give your favorite German learner, here are 9 fantastic ideas, all available from Amazon.com.

The links below are affiliate links. They are marked with an (A), which means that if you click through that picture/link and make a purchase, I'll receive a small amount of that purchase as a thank-you.

More than anything, I want you to buy the best back-to-school gift possible for your favorite German student!

Los geht's!

Für...