Better German Podcast

55 How Not to Get Discouraged When Learning German - Part 1

Many people start learning German motivated — and then hit a point where they think: “I can’t do this. It’s too hard.” In this episode, Susi explains why that happens and what you can do to prevent it, so you can keep going and make real progress. This is Part 1 of a two-part series and covers tips 1–5. 🔑 In this episode, you’ll learn: • Why your personal “why” is essential • Why everything you learn needs a clear purpose • Why learning only for tests causes frustration • How a realistic schedule keeps you from giving up • Why beginners must first build a core vocabulary 🔗 Mentioned in this episode: • Good habits for learning German — Episode 54 https://bettergerman.info/54 [https://bettergerman.info/54] • How much practice do we need? — Episode 28 https://bettergerman.info/28 [https://bettergerman.info/28] • How long does it take to learn German? — Episode 29 https://bettergerman.info/29 [https://bettergerman.info/29] • Study Technology by L. Ron Hubbard - https://www.appliedscholastics.org/ [https://www.appliedscholastics.org/] • Next episode: Tips 6–10 + bonus (Part 2 – episode 56, upcoming) 🎓 Start learning German with me: 👉 Get Talking – German course https://bettergerman.info/course [https://bettergerman.info/course] ✨ Join The Better German Community [https://bettergerman.info/community]       Find all podcast resources at one place! 📰  Sign Up for Our Newsletter [https://bettergerman.info/newsletter]        Get Tips & Updates Straight To Your Inbox! 🌍 Explore Our Podcast Episodes [https://podcast.bettergerman.info/]       New to the podcast? Head over to our podcast homepage to find other episodes you’ll love. 💬 Come See Our Approach For Yourself [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4h9u8z2pPA]       We believe in real understanding, not just memorizing grammar rules—come see how we do in this YouTube Video. 📲 Stay Connected and Follow Us On: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susi_blumel/ [https://www.instagram.com/susi_blumel/] * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/61580057243680 [https://www.facebook.com/61580057243680] * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Better-German [https://www.youtube.com/@Better-German] * TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@susibettergerman [https://www.tiktok.com/@susibettergerman] * Pinterest: https://de.pinterest.com/susibettergerman/ [https://de.pinterest.com/susibettergerman/] ⭐ Enjoyed this episode?       If you liked what you heard, give us a review on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/better-german-podcast/id1706307717] or Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/14g8a2g0IKITzp5dTAHtQs] or share it with a fellow learner!

54 Good Habits to Learn German Anytime of the Year

Learning German usually doesn’t fail because German is hard — it fails because the habits don’t work. In this episode, Susi talks about realistic learning habits that actually help you make progress in German, whether you’re restarting, learning on the side, or finally want to do it properly this time. No gimmicks, no unrealistic promises — just what actually works. 🎬 Free PDF: Learn German with Movies & TV [https://bettergerman.info/free-pdf-learn-german-with-movies/] 📘 German Articles Guide (Der · Die · Das) with the mentioned list of nouns [https://bettergerman.info/how-to-learn-der-die-and-das-guide-plus-list/] 🎧 Full episode page: [https://bettergerman.info/54] 🔎 Key Topics • Why motivation alone doesn’t work • How much weekly time actually makes a difference • What to focus on first (and what to ignore early on) • Vocabulary, practice, and media — how they work together • Subtitles: when they help and when they don’t • When structure and courses actually matter 🔗 Mentioned Links & Resources • Nicos Weg – Full Movie with multiple subtitles [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-eDoThe6qo&t=42s] • Learn German with Movies & TV – Free PDF (curated list of YouTube, Netflix, Prime, Disney): [https://bettergerman.info/free-pdf-learn-german-with-movies/] • German Articles Guide (Der · Die · Das) with the mentioned list of nouns [https://bettergerman.info/how-to-learn-der-die-and-das-guide-plus-list/] • Article: Should You Take a German Course or Learn Alone? [https://bettergerman.info/fresh-start-with-german/] 📚 German Dictionaries (mentioned in the episode) • Collins German-English Dictionary  [https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/german-english/tisch] • LANGENSCHEIDT Dictionary [https://en.langenscheidt.com/german-english/] 🎓 Mentioned Course Get Talking: German for Beginners & Restarters Speak German from the first lesson — no grammar terms, no memorizing rules, only practical language you can actually use. https://bettergerman.info/course [https://bettergerman.info/course] 👉 You May Also Like • Episode 14: Learn German with Movies (complete guide): https://bettergerman.info/14 [https://bettergerman.info/14] • Episode 7: The 7 Best Tips to Learn German: https://bettergerman.info/7 [https://bettergerman.info/7] • Episode 4: How to Learn German: https://bettergerman.info/4 [https://bettergerman.info/4] 📩 Questions, feedback, or topic requests: podcast@bettergerman.info ⭐ If you enjoyed this episode, leave a review or share it with someone learning German. ✨ Join The Better German Community [https://bettergerman.info/community]       Find all podcast resources at one place! 📰  Sign Up for Our Newsletter [https://bettergerman.info/newsletter]        Get Tips & Updates Straight To Your Inbox! 🌍 Explore Our Podcast Episodes [https://podcast.bettergerman.info/]       New to the podcast? Head over to our podcast homepage to find other episodes you’ll love. 💬 Come See Our Approach For Yourself [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4h9u8z2pPA]       We believe in real understanding, not just memorizing grammar rules—come see how we do in this YouTube Video. 📲 Stay Connected and Follow Us On: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susi_blumel/ [https://www.instagram.com/susi_blumel/] * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/61580057243680 [https://www.facebook.com/61580057243680] * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Better-German [https://www.youtube.com/@Better-German] * TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@susibettergerman [https://www.tiktok.com/@susibettergerman] * Pinterest: https://de.pinterest.com/susibettergerman/ [https://de.pinterest.com/susibettergerman/] ⭐ Enjoyed this episode?       If you liked what you heard, give us a review on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/better-german-podcast/id1706307717] or Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/14g8a2g0IKITzp5dTAHtQs] or share it with a fellow learner!

Ep 53 Easy German Words Restaurant

PDF for the episode: https://bettergerman.info/restaurant [https://bettergerman.info/restaurant] In this episode, Susi explains how to talk about restaurants in German in a simple, practical way. You’ll learn how restaurant language actually works in real life, which phrases people really use, and what’s typical in Austria and Germany. The focus is on useful words, natural sentences, and confidence, not textbook rules. Key Topics 🔎 Restaurant German • What restaurant vocabulary you really need • Typical Austrian and German food you’ll see on menus • Polite and natural phrases for ordering and paying • Small cultural details that make restaurants easier to navigate Mentioned Episodes (all episodes can be found at bettergerman.info/# of the episode) Ep 57: Restaurant Practice & Conversation (coming soon) You May Also Like: Ep 30: “To Be” in German Ep 8: How Much Grammar Do We Need? ✨ Join The Better German Community [https://bettergerman.info/community]       Find all podcast resources at one place! 📰  Sign Up for Our Newsletter [https://bettergerman.info/newsletter]        Get Tips & Updates Straight To Your Inbox! 🌍 Explore Our Podcast Episodes [https://podcast.bettergerman.info/]       New to the podcast? Head over to our podcast homepage to find other episodes you’ll love. 💬 Come See Our Approach For Yourself [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4h9u8z2pPA]       We believe in real understanding, not just memorizing grammar rules—come see how we do in this YouTube Video. 📲 Stay Connected and Follow Us On: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susi_blumel/ [https://www.instagram.com/susi_blumel/] * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/61580057243680 [https://www.facebook.com/61580057243680] * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Better-German [https://www.youtube.com/@Better-German] * TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@susibettergerman [https://www.tiktok.com/@susibettergerman] * Pinterest: https://de.pinterest.com/susibettergerman/ [https://de.pinterest.com/susibettergerman/] ⭐ Enjoyed this episode?       If you liked what you heard, give us a review on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/better-german-podcast/id1706307717] or Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/14g8a2g0IKITzp5dTAHtQs] or share it with a fellow learner!

52 German Irregular Verbs Super Easy

Want to finally make progress in German?🤓 Live courses are starting soon—check them out here:👉 Better German Courses [https://bettergerman.info/live-german-courses/] Summary Get the FREE Verbs Guide Part 2: You can download the PDF with all the simple verb groups and practice activities from this episode here: https://bettergerman.info/verbs2 [https://bettergerman.info/verbs2] In this episode, Susi shares her proven method for mastering these verbs without stress. You’ll discover patterns and groups — like how “a” changes to “ä” in some words — so they stop feeling like tricky exceptions. Focus on the most common verbs for daily conversation and start speaking German more confidently and naturally.  Listen until the end for a small preview of Episode 53, where you will learn useful German words for talking about food at a restaurant! Key Topics 🔎 German Irregular Verbs * Learning the Easy Way: Why German verbs are simpler than many books make them seem. * How Many Verbs to Learn?: The small number of verbs you truly need for daily German conversations. * Find the Groups: A simple method for grouping verbs to learn them faster. * Easy Vowel Changes: Understanding the small but important changes like ‘a’ to ‘ä' and 'e’ to ‘i’. * Speak Now: Why the present tense is the most important tense to start with. * Practical Use: Focus only on the grammar you need for speaking, not complicated rules. * Practice Time: Pronunciation and verb change practice for verbs like fahren and sprechen. * Free Verbs PDF Guide Part 2 [https://bettergerman.info/verbs2] for this episode to follow along and practice. * What's Next: A preview of the next episode's useful restaurant vocabulary. Mentioned Episodes (all episodes can be found at bettergerman.info/# of the episode) Ep 45: Learn German Verbs The Easy Way [https://bettergerman.info/45] (Going over the Regular Forms)  Ep 49: "Sie" – She, They, It or You? Finally Learn the Difference [https://bettergerman.info/49]  You May Also Like: Ep 8: How Much Grammar Do We Need? [https://bettergerman.info/8] Ep 30: “To Be” in German [https://bettergerman.info/30] Mentioned Links 📣Pre-Sale for the New German Course🎓 * Early access is available only for podcast listeners and newsletter subscribers—email podcast@bettergerman.info [podcast@bettergerman.info] to join the interest list.  * For questions, topic requests, or course interest, also email podcast@bettergerman.info [podcast@bettergerman.info] Other Resources * You might find this helpful: our Verbs Practice PDF Part 1 [https://bettergerman.info/verbs] with simple examples and exercises. It walks you through the most important present-tense verbs. * Also check out our free PDF guide on “Sie” [https://bettergerman.info/sie] * Listen to All The Episodes Published [https://podcast.bettergerman.info/index] So Far! * Check out our YouTube Channel [https://www.youtube.com/@Better-German] for visual lessons. Subscribe now for free! ✨ Join The Better German Community [https://bettergerman.info/community]       Find all podcast resources at one place! 📰  Sign Up for Our Newsletter [https://bettergerman.info/newsletter]        Get Tips & Updates Straight To Your Inbox! 🌍 Explore Our Podcast Episodes [https://podcast.bettergerman.info/]       New to the podcast? Head over to our podcast homepage to find other episodes you’ll love. 💬 Come See Our Approach For Yourself [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4h9u8z2pPA]       We believe in real understanding, not just memorizing grammar rules—come see how we do in this YouTube Video. 📲 Stay Connected and Follow Us On: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susi_blumel/ [https://www.instagram.com/susi_blumel/] * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/61580057243680 [https://www.facebook.com/61580057243680] * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Better-German [https://www.youtube.com/@Better-German] * TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@susibettergerman [https://www.tiktok.com/@susibettergerman] * Pinterest: https://de.pinterest.com/susibettergerman/ [https://de.pinterest.com/susibettergerman/] ⭐ Enjoyed this episode?       If you liked what you heard, give us a review on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/better-german-podcast/id1706307717] or Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/14g8a2g0IKITzp5dTAHtQs] or share it with a fellow learner!

51 7 Ways to Practice German Even If You Don’t Live in Germany or Austria

Want to finally make progress in German?🤓 Live courses are starting soon—check them out here:👉 Better German Courses [https://bettergerman.info/live-german-courses/] Summary 🔥 Pre-Sale Now Open: Get Talking — German for Beginners and Restarters [https://bettergerman.info/pre-sale/] * Early access is available only for podcast listeners and newsletter subscribers—email podcast@bettergerman.info to join the interest list.  This episode gives you 7 clear and easy ways to practice German every day, no matter your level. Susi explains how to use simple sentences, repeat words out loud, listen actively, and work with short examples so your brain gets used to the language. She also talks about common mistakes learners make and how to avoid them, including thinking you always need a native speaker. By the end, you will know exactly how to practice in a way that helps you speak more, remember more, and feel more confident. Key Topics 🔎 * Why so many learners struggle to find people to practice with — and what to do about it. * The truth about practicing with native speakers (and when you don't need one). * 7 practical ways to practice German daily — even if you're learning alone. * How repeating simple sentences out loud boosts your speaking confidence. * Using audio, video, and dictionaries to get clear, reliable pronunciation. * Why a study partner at your level can speed up your learning. * Where to find conversation partners online, including in the Better German Community [https://bettergerman.info/community] . * Using movies, series, and subtitles to train your ear for German. * Local meetups, cultural centers, and language cafés you can join near you. * A first look at the Get Talking — German for Beginners and Restarters [https://bettergerman.info/pre-sale/] course. * What’s coming next: a deep dive into strong (irregular) German verbs. Mentioned Episodes🎧 Episode 14 - Introduction to Watching Movies to Learn German [https://bettergerman.info/14] Related Episodes🎧 Episode 7 - The 7 Best Tips to Learn German [https://bettergerman.info/7] Episode 24 - Tips to Learn to Speak German [https://bettergerman.info/24] Episode 28 - How Much Practice do We Need when Learning German [https://bettergerman.info/28] Episode 29 - How Long Does it Take to Learn German [https://bettergerman.info/29] Episode 42 - Improve Your German with Simple Sentences Using Colors [https://bettergerman.info/42] Other Mentioned Links 📣Pre-Sale for the New German Course [https://bettergerman.info/pre-sale/]🎓 * Early access is available only for podcast listeners and newsletter subscribers—email podcast@bettergerman.info to join the interest list.  * For questions, topic requests, or course interest, also email podcast@bettergerman.info  Other Resources📚 * You might find these PDFs helpful: ▫️ Episode 14 → Download PDF [https://bettergerman.info/interactive-movie-guide/]: Guide to German Movies ▫️ Episode 45 → Download PDF [https://bettergerman.info/verbs]: Verbs Practice Guide ▫️ Episodes 46 and 50 → Download PDF [https://bettergerman.info/clothes]: Practice sentences with German clothes vocabulary * Listen to All The Episodes Published So Far [https://podcast.bettergerman.info/index]! ✨ Join The Better German Community [https://bettergerman.info/community]       Find all podcast resources at one place! 📰  Sign Up for Our Newsletter [https://bettergerman.info/newsletter]        Get Tips & Updates Straight To Your Inbox! 🌍 Explore Our Podcast Episodes [https://podcast.bettergerman.info/]       New to the podcast? Head over to our podcast homepage to find other episodes you’ll love. 💬 Come See Our Approach For Yourself [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4h9u8z2pPA]       We believe in real understanding, not just memorizing grammar rules—come see how we do in this YouTube Video. 📲 Stay Connected and Follow Us On: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susi_blumel/ [https://www.instagram.com/susi_blumel/] * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/61580057243680 [https://www.facebook.com/61580057243680] * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Better-German [https://www.youtube.com/@Better-German] * TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@susibettergerman [https://www.tiktok.com/@susibettergerman] * Pinterest: https://de.pinterest.com/susibettergerman/ [https://de.pinterest.com/susibettergerman/] ⭐ Enjoyed this episode?       If you liked what you heard, give us a review on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/better-german-podcast/id1706307717] or Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/14g8a2g0IKITzp5dTAHtQs] or share it with a fellow learner!