das Blog

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…

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, Googl…

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 Stub…

If you're looking for listening practice at your level of German, you can now find it in Stube Radio.

Stube Radio consists of real German news articles (but not THAT kind of news) recorded by Frau Warner. There is a PDF transcript 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 very slow tempo…

"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 simple answer…

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 Hause].

Learn t…

Erfolg hat drei Buchstaben: t u n ![1]

~Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Success has two letters: do!

To be successful at speaking German, you need to speak, and trying to speak without any form or specific goal makes it more difficult. It’s important to give yourself a specific task or framework for speaking.

Most people simply try to talk about everything all the time. That won't help you. Why? Because you know a TON of English/whatever your native language is, however in a foreign language …

Der Frühlingsputz ist ein Muss.

Spring cleaning is a 'must.'

It's not always a lot of fun, however it could be more interesting if you learn the German words for what you do.

Here are 7 words and phrases (including 6 verbs!) to help you learn German as you do your Frühlingsputz.

You can download the vocabulary card and print it out.

You could even use it as a checklist for your Spring cleaning.

Warum nicht?

If you like to do parts of your Spring cleaning over a couple of weekends, you cou…

Germanize your Spring Cleaning!

Es ist an die Zeit für den Frühlingsputz!

It's time for Spring cleaning!

A thorough Spring clean is much nicer when your cleaning products are high quality, biodegradable, and even smell nice!

This week you'll find out what my three favorite German cleaning products are.

Next week you'll be able to download a new, 4x6 card with Spring Cleaning vocabulary on it.

Because what better way is there to make your Spring Clean more enjoyable than to do it auf Deutsc…

Christian Holidays are often public holidays in Germany, so these are good words to know whether you're non-religious, atheist, agnostic, or religious.

The schedule carries over into school and school breaks, too. One of my clients is currently on Osterferien, Easter Holidays, and doesn't have school this week or next.

This week is Karwoche, or Holy Week, and in a non-pandemic year there would be much singing of the Bach Passions: the Matthäus-Passion (St. Matthew Passion), the Johannes-Passion (S…