Articles/Lessons
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Free PDF To be
Download the free German “to be” (sein) PDF and practice sentences like ich bin (I am), du bist (you are), and er ist (he is) to describe people and things.
Free German Umlaute PDF
Download the free German Umlaute PDF and learn how ä, ö, ü change words in real German. Practice with simple examples, hear the difference, and start using these sounds with confidence.
Free PDF Colors
This episode introduces the most essential German color words and shows how they’re used in simple sentences. It’s designed to help beginners understand and use German colors more confidently.
Free PDF Adjectives Part 2
Describing things in German —Using Adjectives with Nouns Learn how German adjectives change when used with nouns with clear explanations, simple examples, and practice prompts — so you can finally use adjectives correctly in real sentences instead of guessing. In this...
How to Start Fresh with German (And Not Just in January)
If you feel like you need a fresh start with German, you’re not alone — and it’s absolutely possible. In this article, I’ll walk you through several clear, practical steps you can use to restart your learning in a way that actually works for you. You’ll see how to build momentum again, choose what really helps, and move forward with more clarity and confidence.
Should I Take a German Course or Learn Alone?
Should you take a German course or learn on your own? This article compares both options, explains the pros and cons, and helps you decide what makes sense for your situation and goals.
free PDF Learn German with movies
Learn German naturally by watching movies and TV shows you can actually understand. This free PDF gives you a curated list of learner-friendly German films and series, with short explanations and direct links so you can start watching right away.
Free PDF Restaurant Words German Made Easy
German restaurant words, example sentences, and practice for ordering food, drinks, and paying the bill. Free downloadable PDF.
Is It Too Late to Learn German as an Adult?
Is it too late to learn German as an adult? Many people think so—but age isn’t the real problem. In this article, you’ll learn why adults struggle with German, what actually works, and how you can start learning with confidence at any age.
Small Words in German:Why They’re So Important
Learn why “small words” are the key to understanding everyday German—and how mastering them early can dramatically improve your comprehension and confidence.
Free PDF Verbs Part 2
This free guide shows you how the most useful irregular verbs change and how to use them correctly. Clear examples, easy explanations, and quick practice — all in one place.
Download it below and make tricky verbs straightforward.
Learning German Online: What actually works
Learning German online sounds easy—until you actually try it. Apps, podcasts, tutors, courses, worksheets, YouTube videos… suddenly there are too many options, and instead of making progress, you feel stuck wondering where to even start. The problem usually isn’t motivation or intelligence—it’s choosing the wrong tool for the job. In this article, I’ll walk you through what different online learning options are actually good at, where they fall short, and how to combine them in a way that helps you finally understand, remember, and use German with confidence.
Free PDF Clothing Words & Sentences – Better German
Learn German clothing vocabulary and how to use it in sentences! Grab this free PDF and boost your skills with words for shirts, pants, jackets, dresses, and more.
The #1 Mistake German Learners Make
Many German learners do everything their courses tell them — and still stay stuck. The number 1 mistake German learners make is actually built into how most classes are taught, which keeps the language passive instead of active. In this article, you’ll discover what’s going wrong and how you can finally learn in a way that works.
Free PDF Numbers – Better German
Discover the essentials of numbers in German! From counting to using numbers in everyday sentences, this episode makes learning numbers simple, fun, and memorable. Perfect for beginners looking to boost confidence and fluency.
Free PDF “sie” – Better German
Learn the different meanings of the German word “sie” with clear examples, simple explanations, and a free downloadable PDF from Episode 49 of the Better German Podcast.
Free PDF Verbs
Master the German verbs you should start with in this unique free PDF from the Better German Podcast. You’ll learn 10 real-life verbs with two easy practice methods and smart tips for more — so you can finally use them confidently when you speak.
Ep 47 – Practical German Sentences Using Adjectives
Mastering German Adjectives: Build Real Sentences and Speak Freely! One of the best ways to enrich your vocabulary in any language is by learning how to describe the world around you. In Episode 47 of the Better German Podcast,...
Free PDF German Adjectives
Describing things in German Made Easy Learn 20 must-know German adjectives with simple examples and fun writing prompts — so you can finally describe things in German with confidence instead of getting stuck searching for words In this Free PDF You WIll Learn 1Learn...
Ep 13 – Festivals in Autumn and Winter in Austria and Germany
Autumn and Winter Festivals in Austria & Germany: A Cultural Guide for German Learners “There is a tradition called Oktoberfest. So that's "October festival," and it's a huge festival where people drink beer, and they eat traditional foods. Most people dress in...
Ep 12 – Learn German Words About An Office or A Classroom
Mastering German Vocabulary for the Classroom and Office 🎧Excerpt from the Episode “Learning with objects around you makes German real. You can touch it, see it, and remember it.” - Susi Blumel, Better German Podcast, Episode 12 Ready to boost your German...
Ep 46 – German Words For Clothes
Unlocking the German Clothes Vocabulary Are you ready to go shopping or chat about outfits in German, but feel a little lost when it comes to clothes vocabulary? Episode 46 of the Better German Podcast is your new best friend for that! In this friendly, practical...
Ep 11 – My 7 Favorite Tips To Learn German
Real Tips for Real Progress📈 Are you looking for smart ways to improve your German, whether you're just starting out or already know the basics? 🎯 You're in luck! In Episode 11 of the Better German Podcast, I share my top seven tips to make learning German more...
Ep 45 – Learn German Verbs The Easy Way
German Present-Tense Verbs, Made Easy. "So, always when you say ‘ich,’ you have an 'e' at the end. So you would say ‘ich gehe.’ Or when you want to say 'I come,’ then you say ‘ich komme.’ That's how it works!" –Susi Blumel, Better German Podcast, Episode 45 Verbs...
How to Actually Learn German (and Not Just Study It)
How to Actually Learn German (and Not Just Study It) If you’ve ever found yourself slogging through German worksheets, filling in blank texts, or reciting endless vocabulary lists—and still not able to speak with confidence—you’re not alone. So many people “study”...
Why You Can’t Speak German After B1 — Even After Years of Learning
Have you ever finished a B1 or B2 German course—or maybe even spent years learning German at school—only to realize you still can’t speak it? You’re not alone. I’ve worked with many students in exactly that situation: they know something about German, they...
Ep 9 – How To Greet & Introduce Yourself in German
Kicking off your German Greetings!👋 🎧Excerpt from the Episode: "So if you meet someone else on the street or, in a restaurant, and they're around your age, then it's a good chance that they will not expect you to speak with them formally. But on the other hand,...
Ep 10 – Level Up Your German Greetings
Say Hello and Sound Like a Local! 🤝Greetings are your doorway into every German conversation. They set the tone, open the connection, and help you feel instantly more confident. In Episode 10, you’ll move beyond the basics and discover how Germans actually greet each...
Ep 44 – Adjectives: The Heart of German Description
Adjectives: The Heart of German Description 🎧Excerpt from the Episode: "In order for you to actually know these words, you have to practice them. Don’t just try to learn them by heart—make sentences. Describe things around you: Der Tisch ist groß. Das Fenster ist...
Ep 43 – The Simple Guide to Learning Numbers
Numbers, Your Next Step In Mastering German Numbers sneak into almost every conversation—whether you’re talking about time, money, or even your age. If you want to feel confident in German, you simply can’t avoid them. In Episode 43 of the Better German Podcast, I...
Understanding German Idioms (without breaking a leg)
German idioms are more than funny sayings. They show how words together create new meaning—and why literal translations often don’t work. In this article, you’ll discover what idioms really are, why they’re so important for communication, and see examples that reveal cultural differences between German and English.
Future in German Made Easy
Talking About the Future in German: Easier Than You Think Let’s talk about the future. Not in a philosophical sense (although I do love that!) — I mean how we talk about the future in German. And here’s the good news: in many ways, German makes this easier than...
Ep 8 – How Much Grammar Do We Need?
Grammar Holding Back Your German? Are you learning German and wondering when—and how much—grammar you really need to start using the language effectively? You're not alone. It's a common concern among language learners—and one that often leads to overthinking,...
Better German Podcast – Episode 42: Color Sentences
🎨 Bring more color into your spoken German! Now that you know the German words for colors — rot, blau, and so on (see Better German Podcast, Episode 40) — let’s go one step further. In this episode, I show you how to move from simply naming colors to using...
Acknowledging in German: Small Words that make a big difference
When you speak German, it’s important to show you understood what the other person said. One simple way to do this is by using short replies—what I call “acknowledgements.” They are small words you can say after someone answers you. They confirm you heard them and keep the conversation natural.
In this article, I’ll show you easy acknowledgement words in German, with their English meaning: super (great), gut (good), sehr gut (very good), danke (thank you), vielen Dank (thank you very much), gern / gern geschehen (gladly / you’re welcome—literally “done with pleasure”), genau (exactly), richtig (correct), and okay (okay). You’ll see how to use them in short examples, so you can start adding them to your practice right away.
I’ve also made you a free cheat sheet with all these words in one place. Keep it next to you while speaking or listening. This way, you can acknowledge answers clearly and make sure both sides understand each other.
Better German Podcast Episode 41: False Friends
Watch Out for German “False Friends”! "I was very, very confused, and I think I was confused for at least another hour! And that is also a very good example of what can happen if you do not understand something, particularly words."- Susi Schlik-Blumel, Better...
Better German Podcast Episode 40: Colors
More Than Just Colors🎨 🎧Excerpt from the Episode: "When you learn new words, it's like you think of what to do with the word, and that is how you learn, and that is super effective. How you can practice these other than the pronunciation is you can just point to...
Learn to Speak German Confidently
How Do You Actually Practice Conversation in a Language? So how do you practice conversation? First of all, what do I mean by “conversation”? When I say conversation, I mean talking—basically, one person says something, the other understands (more or less), and then...
Better German Podcast – Episode 7: Your First Sentences In German
Unlocking Your First German Sentences with “That is__” 🎧Excerpt from the Episode: "So instead of telling you a rule and this and that, I'm just giving you a sentence and a blank, and I'm telling you, okay, this is what you can put here. And this is how you can learn...
Better German Podcast – Episode 6: Wordlist Body Parts
Body Parts – A Simple Step To Building Your German Vocabulary 🎧Excerpt from the Episode: "This is a very basic wordlist about body parts. I'm going to include a few explanations of what we're doing. So this is a wordlist of nouns – Words that refer to objects or...
Better German Podcast – Episode 5: Introduction to Articles
An Easy Guide to German Articles – Start Here! 🎧Excerpt from the Episode: "So let’s look at how you can practice conversation, and that can be super, super, super simple. You just get another person, ideally, another student like you, who is on the same level, and you...
Better German Podcast – Episode 4: How to Learn German
You’re Likely Learning German the Hard Way. Still struggling with German — even after apps, grammar guides, or expensive courses? There’s a reason it’s not working. And no, it’s not because you’re bad at languages, or that German is complicated In Episode 4 of the...
Better German Podcast – Episode 3: Keywords
The Real Reason German Learners Struggle Have you ever started learning German—maybe even signed up for a course—only to feel confused, frustrated, or stuck before you even really began? You’re not alone. And more importantly: it’s probably not your fault. In Episode...
Better German Podcast – Episode 2: Reasons To learn German
Why Learn German? Real Reasons That Motivate You 🎧 Excerpt from the Episode: "You have a larger possibility of getting jobs you can get, even if you have already been to Austria and have work experience here, if your German is good. If you are very good in German, it...
Better German Episode 1
Ready to Learn German? The Better German Podcast Has You Covered! Dive into learning German with ease and fun, guided by Susi Blumel and her awesome podcast. Hey there, language enthusiasts! If you're thinking about picking up German but feel a bit intimidated by its...
Get the Free PDF German Alphabet
Get the free PDF with the German alphabet, special letters, typical letter combination that have a different pronunciation and examples for all letters and combinations. This is the accompanying PDF for Better German Podcast Episode 18.
Get the Free PDF German Word List Body Parts
Boost your German vocabulary with this handy freebie! Learn the essential words for body parts in German with clear translations and visuals to make learning easy and fun. Perfect for beginners and anyone looking to expand their vocabulary. Download now and start speaking with confidence!
PDF Download German Word List Family
Free PDF with a German Word List about Family. All Words with German articles and translation to English. Also an illustration for every word. As mentioned in the Better German Podcast Episode 38.
Get the Free PDF “German Case Essentials”
Get this helpful free PDF and finally master the German Cases. Find tables of cases for articles and pronouns, as well as verbs and prepositions and the the necessary cases for them – all with translated example sentences!
Learn German with Movies with this Interactive Movie Guide
Get the Interactive Movie Guide for German Movies with Subtitles for a fun way of learning German. Find German movies or TV Shows to stream on Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney Plus.
Free PDF with Helpful Words when travelling to Germany or Austria
Get a PDF with words useful when travelling the German speaking area, covering accomodations, entertainment, public transport and restaurants.
Festivals and Holidays in Austria in Winter
Better German Podcast – Episode 8: How Much Grammar Do We Need?
Speak First, Perfect German Later! Hey there, language enthusiasts! In today's episode, we're diving deep into a question that plagues many language learners: How much grammar do we really need?🤔 Picture this: You're in the midst of a conversation, excitedly...
Introduction to the Meanings of the German verb “werden”
“Werden” is a verb and has several very different functions and meanings in German that can sometimes lead to confusions. If you ever were confused about it or just never really learned its different uses – here you go! The Forms of “werden” ich werde wir werden du...
Why is Learning German difficult?
Why is learning German (or any language) difficult for many people and what can you do to learn German more easily?
How to Learn “der”, “die” and “das” – Guide Plus List
Most of my students who learned German before they started learning with me, tell me that the biggest problem they have is to remember “der, die, das”. Therefore I have written this guide with tips how to learn “der, die, das” successfully and included a list of...
How this Homepage Can Help You
What I Want to do with this Homepage I want to help as many German learners as possible to make progress and improve their learning experience, motivate them to (continue) to learn and if necessary get them progressing again. Teaching Real German In my observation,...
The Difference between “dir” and “dich”
Some time ago I answered this question on Quora about German Grammar. As I have my own homepage now, here it is as well!: What is the difference between German words, when both of are (you) English "dich" and "dir"? That is a short (and very logical) question that...
Going to Gymnasium after Being in Austria for 1 Year.
I just answered this question on Quora. As the answer is quite lengthy and could be interesting for someone else, here it is: Hi! I moved to Vienna one year ago and I went to a polytechnic school for one year. I heard that you...