Even if you've taken a German class before, you either have a sneaking suspicion you're missing something or you were outright unsatisfied with the class. You probably have questions you couldn’t get answers to, or maybe you need more speaking practice.

You need a German class that gives you complete answers to your questions. A class that provides you with enough activities, but not so many that you feel overwhelmed. A class with activities that help you actually speak German.

Welcome to live, online German Classes with Nicole.

This is not your usual German class

Many German classes are curriculum-based. You work at break-neck speed through the curriculum, there are too many students in the class, you all take a test at the end that you're probably terrified of, and somehow you've...learned...some German...? Because the grade...tells you so...?

We don't do that here.

Here we use a framework for the class to give it structure and within that structure you find flexibility. Flexibility that allows you to get your questions answered, practice speaking, and enjoy the time you're spending learning German.

There are no textbooks here, only course books written specifically to help you learn to speak German.

Live, online classes

When you take German classes online with Nicole, you have a German class that’s as interactive as a regular class. You get to practice speaking German in a group of people who are there for the same thing: to gain skills to feel more comfortable speaking German.

What's an online class like?

Here's what a typical online class looks like:

We begin by greeting each other in German (Guten Abend!).

After an easy warm-up, we discuss the homework and I answer your questions.

Then we start the next topic and I walk you through all the parts: grammar, vocabulary, everything.

We go through the homework so you know what to do for the next week.

Lastly, you download your whiteboard and I send everyone an email with the homework in it.

Das ist alles! That's everything!

Actual German books (not text books!)

The books we use have been written to help you learn to speak German. They’re all from German publishers and are readily available here in the U.S. The books help you have conversations in German and we can add topics at any time.

These German books have answer keys!

How many times have you been told not to use the book? Probably almost as many times as I will tell you TO use the book. Why would you buy a book only to be forbidden from using it? That makes no sense! It's your resource, so use the book! Use the answer keys! Have an answer key party!

No grades. No tests. No finals.

I promise.

It’s really this simple: no grades, no tests, no finals.

I promise.

Less pressure = more German skills

When you take away the preset curriculum and take away the grade, you take away all the pressure and all the worry. Then you can take all that energy you used to spend worrying and you can invest it in learning to speak German step-by-step.

That’s a win-win!

Yes, you can understand German grammar!

Nothing is more frustrating than having someone explain a German grammar concept to you, only to have it disappear the moment you walk out of the room. Not here! Because you'll save your whiteboards from every class, you will always have your notes with you.

If anyone wants to repeat the concept or dig a little deeper, then that's what we do. That is to everyone's benefit.

A reasonable amount of German homework

You can call it homework, you can call it German practice, whatever you want to call it is fine by me. There is always flexibility in the homework assigned so you can do as much or as little as you have time for/want to do.

Hallo, ich bin Nicole!

I first learned German when I was in my early 20’s. I had tried taking German in college and it was a DISASTER. I was constantly worried about the grade, the book we used was ridiculously confusing, and my teacher just couldn’t explain the concepts clearly.

Then in 2003 I moved to Germany and took a different kind of German course, one without a final grade, with books for learning German (not textbooks). I learned to speak German so well that when I speak German with native speakers, they think that I'm German. I'm not. (Although I do love a good bike commute.) I now speak German at a near-native level and I've received the Zertifikat C2, the highest level of German speaking certification available. I’ve been teaching German live and online since 2013. I’m also certified to teach German as a Foreign Language and I teach it the way I was taught to speak it.

If you're ready to sign up for a German class, scroll down to get yourself registered.

The fine print:

Tuition doesn’t include your books, but it does include all the extra materials I share with you in the Client Corner and via email. (I have a LOT of additional materials.) Tuition is due per guidelines set for each individual class; there are no refunds. If you are unable to take a class, you may donate your spot to another learner. All German learners under 18 must have a parent or guardian copied on all emails. Now let's get back to German!

German for Beginners: June to August, 2020

This class is currently running; the final class session is August 18th, 2020.

Coming Fall 2020

There will be (a) new class(es) beginning Fall of 2020; be sure to get on the E-Post mailing list so you get the first announcement!

All seats in classes are treated as a first-come, first-serve basis.

Sign up for the E-Post here