Better German Podcast

Introduction Welcome back to the Better German podcast! In this episode, Susi Blümel returns after a short break to share exciting news about the launch of the Better German Community—a place where learners can connect, practice, and improve their German skills together. The main focus of this episode is on the art of conversation in learning German. Susi shares practical insights to help beginners and intermediate learners build confidence and integrate conversation practice into their language routine. Key Topics • The Better German Community: What it is and how it helps learners. • Why conversation is essential for learning German. • How to get started with conversation practice as a beginner. • The benefits of practicing with a study partner. • Tips to keep early conversations correction-free to build confidence. • An invitation to join free Zoom conversation classes. • Sneak peek at the next episode on German pronunciation. Links • Join the Better German Community: bettergerman.info/community [https://bettergerman.info/community] Special Offer for Podcast Listeners: Use the promo codes below to get an additional month free! • Promo Code for First Tier: Podcast24 • Promo code for Premium Tier (including the German Beginner Course): Podcast24Premium • Free Zoom conversation classes: bettergerman.info/conversation [https://bettergerman.info/conversation] • Listen to past podcast episodes: podcast.bettergerman.info [https://podcast.bettergerman.info] • Follow Susi on social media for updates and tips • Instagram: @bettergerman [https://www.instagram.com/bettergerman] • Facebook: Better German [https://www.facebook.com/bettergerman] Let me know if there’s anything else you’d like to add or tweak! Looking for a place where you get support, can ask all the questions about German and get actual answers, find other learners and get weekly live German lessons? Then the Better German Community [https://bettergerman.info/community] is for you. Check it out! I hope you enjoyed this episode. If you did, please subscribe and share the podcast. I would love to stay in touch, so for news, new courses and books, subscribe to my newsletter [https://bettergerman.info/newsletter]. Do let me know, which subjects you would like covered! And watch out for the next episode!

Introduction When you meet new people and talk to them, family could be a subject discussed soon. So our word list of 25 German words (father, mother, brother...) will come in handy! Learn by repetition - and don't forget to download your word list and illustration here. [https://bettergerman.info/german-word-list-family/] Key Topics and Bullets Primary topic: Introduction and Course Announcement - Change in frequency of the podcast - Announcement of the new German beginner course in the Better German academy - Overview of the course content and structure - Emphasis on the benefits for total beginners and those struggling with speaking German Primary topic: Word List on Family Members - Introduction of the word list on family members in German - The PDF with word list and illustrations - Explanation of each family member word in German and English - Details about special considerations for certain words - Pronunciation practice and invitation for the audience to repeat after the host Links - PDF for this episode - Word List with German words about family plus illustration. [https://bettergerman.info/german-word-list-family/] - German Case Essentials - Free Guide about Cases [https://bettergerman.info/cases] - Appointment for free consultation and placement [https://bettergerman.trafft.com/] - Interactive Movie Guide to help you find German movies with subtitles on your level. [https://bettergerman.info/interactive-movie-guide/] - YouTube Channel [https://www.youtube.com/@Better-German] - Here you can find all episode published so far [https://podcast.bettergerman.info/index] - Subscribe to the Newsletter [https://bettergerman.info/newsletter] - Online Beginner German Course [https://better-german.onlinecoursehost.com/courses/a1-1] Looking for a place where you get support, can ask all the questions about German and get actual answers, find other learners and get weekly live German lessons? Then the Better German Community [https://bettergerman.info/community] is for you. Check it out! I hope you enjoyed this episode. If you did, please subscribe and share the podcast. I would love to stay in touch, so for news, new courses and books, subscribe to my newsletter [https://bettergerman.info/newsletter]. Do let me know, which subjects you would like covered! And watch out for the next episode!

Summary Welcome to the third and final part of our series on German cases! In this episode, we delved deep into how prepositions determine German cases and covered special prepositions that ask for specific cases in different situations. We also discussed the importance of not getting too caught up in perfection and focused on the ultimate goal of effective communication in German. If you're new to German cases, be sure to grab the cheat sheet at bettergerman.info/cases for a summary of today's episode. And remember, at Better German, we prioritize practice over theory for effective language learning. Key Topics and Bullet Points Primary Topic: Introduction to German Cases - Understanding the concept of cases in German - The purpose of cases and their function in the German language - Comparison of cases in German and English - The relationship between verbs and cases - The significance of prepositions in determining cases - Overview of common prepositions and the cases they require - Introduction to specific prepositions that ask for either the dative or accusative case - The number of prepositions used in German and their specific case requirements Primary Topic: Learning and Applying German Cases - Advice for new learners on how to approach the learning of cases - Use of cheat sheets and examples to aid in understanding and practice - The role of making one's own examples in grasping the correct usage of cases - Emphasizing the importance of communication over perfect grammar in language learning - Integration of correct sentence patterns for language practice - Encouragement to not be overly concerned about making mistakes while learning cases Primary Topic: Summary and Additional Resources - Recap of the primary determinants of cases in German sentences - Importance of understanding the basic forms of nominative, accusative, dative, and genitive cases - The availability of a free PDF "German Case Essentials" [https://bettergerman.info/cases] for further reference and practice - Reference to the Better German Academy [https://better-german.onlinecoursehost.com/courses] for alternative approaches to learning German without extensive grammar focus - Recommendations for further learning and engagement with the German language This comprehensive sequence of topics covered in the podcast will serve as a useful guide for individuals seeking to understand and apply the fundamental principles of German cases. Links mentioned or providing further information - German Case Essentials - Free Guide about Cases [https://bettergerman.info/cases] - Podcast Episode 35 - Part 1 of Introduction to German Cases [https://bettergerman.info/35] - Podcast Episode 36 - Part 2 of Introduction to German Cases [https://bettergerman.info/36] - Appointment for free consultation and placement [https://bettergerman.trafft.com/] - Interactive Movie Guide to help you find German movies with subtitles on your level. [https://bettergerman.info/interactive-movie-guide/] - YouTube Channel [https://www.youtube.com/@Better-German] - Here you can find all episode published so far [https://podcast.bettergerman.info/index] - Subscribe to the Newsletter [https://bettergerman.info/newsletter] - Online Beginner German Course [https://better-german.onlinecoursehost.com/courses/a1-1] Join us for more language insights in the next episode. Do you like the Podcast? Leave us a review on iTunes! [https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id/1706307717] Looking for a place where you get support, can ask all the questions about German and get actual answers, find other learners and get weekly live German lessons? Then the Better German Community [https://bettergerman.info/community] is for you. Check it out! I hope you enjoyed this episode. If you did, please subscribe and share the podcast. I would love to stay in touch, so for news, new courses and books, subscribe to my newsletter [https://bettergerman.info/newsletter]. Do let me know, which subjects you would like covered! And watch out for the next episode!

Summary In this episode of Better German, host Susi Blumel continues her mini-series on cases in the German language. She emphasizes the importance of understanding cases, while also acknowledging the challenges they may pose to beginners. Susi breaks down the four cases in German - nominative, genitive, dative, and accusative - providing a brief explanation of each and offering insights into their usage. She also hints at a cheat sheet for a clearer understanding of cases and invites listeners to sign up for the newsletter to stay updated. In the next episode, she promises to delve into how specific prepositions in German correspond to different cases. If you're struggling with German cases, this episode is a must-listen! Key Points Primary Topic: Introduction to Cases - Importance of understanding cases in learning German - Recognition of challenges for beginners when encountering cases - Overview of different types of cases in the German language Primary Topic: The 4 Cases in German   - Nominative case (basic form, naming the subject)   - Genitive case (possession, something belonging to or with someone)   - Dative case (used when an action goes over to something, after the verb)   - Accusative case (used for the object of the sentence) Primary Topic: Learning Sequence of Cases   - Suggested learning sequence for cases in German language   - Discussion of learning priorities for beginner, intermediate, and advanced students Primary Topic: Determining the Case to be Used   - Understanding what determines which case is used   - Emphasis on the accusative case as the most frequently used case Primary Topic: Verbs and Cases   - Relation between verbs and cases    - Focus on how most verbs use the accusative case Primary Topic: Prepositions and Cases   - Discussion of how each preposition requires a specific case   - Explanation of the relationship between prepositions and cases Primary Topic: Introduction to German Beginners Course   - Reference to a German beginners course as an alternative approach to learning the German language   - Emphasis on simplified language learning approach without extensive use of grammar rules The podcast episode provides a detailed overview of cases in the German language, including the identification of each case, the learning sequence, determining the case to be used, the relationship between verbs and cases, as well as the impact of prepositions on cases. Additionally, it presents an alternative approach to learning German through a specific beginners course. Links Podcast Episode 5 - Introduction to German Articles [https://podcast.bettergerman.info/episode/better-german-podcast-episode-5-introduction-to-articles] Podcast Episode 27 - Introduction to Parts of Speech in German (Worarten) [https://podcast.bettergerman.info/episode/episode-27-introduction-to-parts-of-speech-for-learning-german]Appointment for free consultation and placement [https://bettergerman.trafft.com/] Online Beginner German Course (A1.1) [https://better-german.onlinecoursehost.com/courses/a1-1] Looking for a place where you get support, can ask all the questions about German and get actual answers, find other learners and get weekly live German lessons? Then the Better German Community [https://bettergerman.info/community] is for you. Check it out! I hope you enjoyed this episode. If you did, please subscribe and share the podcast. I would love to stay in touch, so for news, new courses and books, subscribe to my newsletter [https://bettergerman.info/newsletter]. Do let me know, which subjects you would like covered! And watch out for the next episode!

Summary In this episode of Better German, host Susi Blumel introduces the concept of German cases, known as "Fälle" in German. She explains that cases are different forms that certain words (articles, adjectives, nouns, and pronouns) take based on their function in a sentence. Using examples, she illustrates how cases affect sentence structure and meaning in comparison to languages without cases. Susi emphasizes that this is the first part of a short series on German cases and suggests listening to previous episodes for foundational knowledge. She concludes by mentioning that the next episode will delve into the different cases and invites listeners to explore the Better German Academy for additional language-learning resources. Tune in for a clear and straightforward introduction to German cases, designed to help learners understand and navigate this essential aspect of the German language. Key Topics and Bullet Points Primary Topic: Introduction to German Cases - Explanation of what cases are and why they are needed - Decision to make the episode into a short series due to complexity - Advice for complete beginners to put a pin on it and come back later - Suggestions to listen to specific episodes before diving into cases - Introduction to Articles and Parts of Speech episodes recommended for further understanding - Explanation of how cases work in German and other languages - Explanation of the words affected by cases: articles, adjectives, nouns, and pronouns - Summary of cases as different forms that words take based on their function in a sentence - Comparison of word order in languages without cases to the use of cases in German - Conclusion of the episode and announcement of the next episode covering different cases - Promotion of the Better German Academy as an alternative way to learn German with less focus on grammar and more practice Links Podcast Episode 5 - Introduction to German Articles [https://podcast.bettergerman.info/episode/better-german-podcast-episode-5-introduction-to-articles] Podcast Episode 27 - Introduction to Parts of Speech in German (Worarten) [https://podcast.bettergerman.info/episode/episode-27-introduction-to-parts-of-speech-for-learning-german]Appointment for free consultation and placement [https://bettergerman.trafft.com/] Online Beginner German Course (A1.1) [https://better-german.onlinecoursehost.com/courses/a1-1] Looking for a place where you get support, can ask all the questions about German and get actual answers, find other learners and get weekly live German lessons? Then the Better German Community [https://bettergerman.info/community] is for you. Check it out! I hope you enjoyed this episode. If you did, please subscribe and share the podcast. I would love to stay in touch, so for news, new courses and books, subscribe to my newsletter [https://bettergerman.info/newsletter]. Do let me know, which subjects you would like covered! And watch out for the next episode!