The
Blog
Practical German learning advice, cultural insights, and language deep-dives. No fluff.
Mastering German: Efficient Learning Strategies
German can be challenging for English speakers due to its complex grammar and unique pronunciation. However, the similar vocabulary and structure to English make certain aspects easier to grasp. For...
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Shouldnt I Learn The Alphabet First
Sure, here you go: ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZÄÖÜß. Done! Not what you had in mind? Well, then let's take a closer look at the real issue here, shall we?
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How Much Does It Actually Cost To Learn German
In the first half of this article, I'll focus on the economy and efficiency of learning German. And if you are rather interested in how to save time and money, you can skip straight to the second...
Read →Heres How You Can Increase Your Chances Of Finishing Your German Course
If you've tried to learn anything online before, you know how easy it is to sign up for a course'much harder to actually begin and nearly impossible to finish it. Here's the reality: Fewer than 20...
Read →Does Smelling Farts Help With Learning German
Have you ever heard of 'learner types' or 'learning styles'? No? Lucky you. Oops, now you have, my bad. The unfortunate idea behind this myth is that people learn differently based on biological...
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Are You Push Airing Properly Yet
Airing: The True Measure of...
Read →Immersion Probably Isnt What You Think It Is
'Immersion' is everywhere these days. If you believe the hype on YouTube and other social media platforms, you just need to listen to enough podcasts and binge-watch enough German Netflix...
Read →Doing Business In Germany
I would like to give you some insight into what it costs to run a business or rather my business in Germany. On top of that I'll share my cost of living (married couple, child from first marriage is...
Read →High German vs Low German: What's the Difference?
In this article, we will explore the fascinating world of German dialects , specifically focusing on the differences between High German and Low German.
Read →12 German Sayings From Germany You Should Know
German idioms and expressions play a crucial role in the language-learning process and are a big part of everyday conversations in any German-speaking country. They provide a natural flow to the...
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German Reading Practice Made Fun
Reading is an essential component of language learning, and German is no exception. I'd even go as far as saying that it is the MOST essental component above even speaking. I know that's an...
Read →Good Bye Hochdeutsch Welcome Bairisch
For those among you that were asking themselves "should I learn a German dialect or standard German ( Hochdeutsch )" things are about to become a lot easier because today Bavaria announced a switch...
Read →Polonaese Blankenese
An interesting phenomenon I discovered in Germany is a particular compulsion and connection to a processional circle dance they call a Polonase . One or more people start it off, then others join...
Read →Treppenwitz
You leave a conversation and three minutes later, the perfect response hits you. Sharp, devastating, too late. You're on the staircase. Germans have a word for that.
Read →The Best Online Language Courses On The Internet
The demand for online language course has surged significantly in the last years. And learning German online isn't the only thing users search for. I often get asked "Is there a platform like...
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De Active Listening
It's Christmas, my first Deutsche 'Weihnacht', and the Germans are all talking ... German. This is it. German immersion. Here I am near the Christmas tree, holding a glass of Sp'tlese. They are all...
Read →Drinking Beer in Germany: Drinking Age and Cultural Norms
Germany is well known for its favorite beverage: beer. Drinking beer in Germany is common and important, but it can also lead to some unpleasant moments when you don’t know how to handle the...
Read →How to Conjugate German Verbs
Aside from orangutans, humans are the only creatures able to differentiate between the past, present and future when they communicate. Being able to talk about things that have happened in the past...
Read →Happy birthday in German & German customs and traditions
I am sure that you have already been invited to a birthday party or to a wedding. Being in your home country you know what to do and what to say on these occasions. But how to say “Congratulations”...
Read →Learning German With Music
Nothing will cement the German language in your memory like actually using it. Be it speaking German with colleagues or watching German movies (with or without subtitles, I won't judge), exposing...
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Test Your German Skills Online
Did you know that it is not only possible to learn German online, but it is also possible to test your skills and track your progress?
Read →How Do I Know A German Course Or Tutor Is Any Good
Teaching is an art, a science, and a journey. It's a complex and multifaceted task that requires quite a few skills that can not be studied at university. Ideally one's got a talent to teach and an...
Read →How to Prepare for the German Oral Exam B1
Preparing for the German oral exam B1 TELC, Goethe, ÖSD (AU) or Fide (CH) is very doable if you know how. This article will provice you with an approach that helps you prepare for your oral exam in...
Read →Learn German With Discord
It's obvious, now more than ever, that the classical idea of learning has changed dramatically. No more do you have to go to school to learn math, nor do you have to read through a dozen books to...
Read →My Worst Language Learning Mistakes
As I shared with you in my last blog post I sat in over 20 language courses for about 15 different languages over the course of 20 years. Here are a few of the mistakes I made and learned from and...
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The Origins Of Smartergerman Part 02
Let me continue with my background story which started in 1999 in Warsaw, Poland.
Read →The Origins Of Smartergerman Part 01
In 2023 SmarterGerman celebrates it's 10th anniversary. This is the story how it all began and came to become one of the most efficient German online courses in the internet today.
Read →Learn German Grammar Online
If you're reading this as someone who already has a basic foundation in German, you know that learning German grammar is an essential part of mastering the language. As an intermediate learner, you...
Read →Teaching English In Germany
I was teaching a group of engineers in Düsseldorf'my first group class'and there is nothing more German than a German engineer. All the stereotypes of both are magnified.
Read →How to Learn German Fast
How long it’ll take to become fluent in German is the question most German learners want to knowledge.
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Amber Bernstein
In the north of Germany, along the shores of the Baltic and North seas, it is still possible to find amber - particularly after high seas or a storm. While I was on Rügen , the seas remained low and...
Read →How to say “I love youâ€� in German
Do you know the feeling of having butterflies in your tummy and that your legs turn to jelly? Well, most probably this is a sign that you have fallen in love with someone! Since there are so many...
Read →The Different Types of Pronouns in German
Pronouns are the backbone of every language. They’re the most important ingredient in fluent speech and they save you unbelievable amounts of time.
Read →Alternative Christmas Story
I feel I have to start with a little disclaimer: *There's a lot of humor in everything I say and there's a lot of truth in humor. I leave it to you to figure out what's what. Overall I think you...
Read →Lustige Woerter
For me, one of the highlights of learning German with SmarterGerman is getting to know some of the extra words of interest related to the text in the ‘Get to the core of German’ step. Sometimes this...
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Villa Hugel And Krupp Stahl
Just outside Essen, and right alongside the railway tracks (appropriately) lies a stately manor house called The Villa Hügel . It was built in the early 1870s as the residence for a famous German...
Read →Movies to Learn German With
Imagine it’s the weekend and you’ve spent a long week hard at work. You crash on the couch, with your German lessons being the last thing on your mind.
Read →25 Longest German Words
Das Rindfleischetikettierungsüberwachungsaufgabenübertragungsgesetz. The previous strand of letters, that you skipped without even attempting to read, might seem like me simply bashing away at my...
Read →Smartergerman Reviews
If you are interested in finding a good German course and want to learn all about the SmarterGerman course structure and unique approach, read on for detailed information on Michael's approach and...
Read →How To Practice Speaking German Online
Finally, learning German online is becoming the gold standard in language education. It simply doesn't make any sense to travel 30 minutes to a physical location and share a room with 10-20 other...
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Using The German Train System
In genereal the train network in Germany is very good. It will get you to most places in the country in relative comfort. As long as nothing goes wrong, using the German train system is pretty easy...
Read →Die Langen Kerls
As far as Prussian King Frederick Wilhelm the First was concerned, size mattered. For his army, that is. And not just the number of soldiers either (which he increased from 38 000 to 83 000 during...
Read →Learning German In Germany
Fleeing the 'tyranny' of a heavily monolingual culture in pursuit of an additional language is not a new thing. It's associated strongly with the adage: 'the best way to learn a language is in a...
Read →Der Hoff
Germany is certainly a land of cultural surprises. You learn to expect strange connections and differences, and you can usually piece together some kind of logical series of circumstances that led...
Read →5 Useful Mnemonics to Learn German
The M in the beginning of mnemonic is silent, and it’s pronounced ne-mo-nics . Now that I got that out of the way, how does hacking your brain and storing huge amounts of information in the shortest...
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Is German Hard to Learn for English Speakers?
At some point, I don’t remember when, I began to notice a marked difference between responses on the subject of my language interests when it would come up in conversation with a stranger. It seemed...
Read →How To Easily Count To 100 In German
In order to learn to count to 100 in German quickly, you really want to compare the German numbers with the English ones. Let's do that first.
Read →7 Reasons To Leave Your German Tutor
If you are looking for a German tutor online or in the neighbourhood, you might want to take a step back first and think this through before you invest several hundreds if not thousands of Euro into...
Read →18 Fun German Words and Phrases you Need to Learn
Fun German words are the frequent target of ire from language learners. Many find plenty to laugh at in their militant tones and often incomprehensible length, especially compared to other languages.
Read →How to Properly Tell the Time in German: Es ist 5 vor 12
In this article, you’ll familiarize yourself with how to tell the time in German and how to make appointments. It is needless to say how important time is in communication from meeting with a friend...
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Childish German
Being a German-learner in Germany, you want German immersion; you want to be in the thick of it. But you also need that level of German immersion that makes it comprehensible, so you're not drowning. ...
Read →Can I Drink Tap Water Safely in Germany?
Drinking Water in Germany is a big deal; not many expats seem to drink tap water in Germany, even though Germans will tell you it’s perfectly safe to drink. And it is often even of better quality...
Read →German Food
Before moving to Germany, and even before starting to learn German, I discovered German food, and I would rate it the most underrated cuisine in the world. Even Germans don't rate it highly, putting...
Read →The Wilhelm Gustloff
If you asked someone what the worst disaster in maritime history was (in terms of loss of life), most people would, understandably, resort to the most well-known: the Titanic. At least 1500 people...
Read →Smartergerman Blog Balconies
I have always liked balconies. When we were looking for places to rent in Germany, I was always pushing for a flat with a balcony: eine Wohnung mit Balkon.
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Expats, Why is Making Friends in Germany So Difficult?
I was late and as I entered the bar I noticed the banner reading “happy birthday”. I managed to track down the birthday boy. I didn’t know him well at the time but he would become an important...
Read →The Cologne Cathedral
The first time I heard about the city of Cologne, was when I had a French teacher who told a joke in the first class that went like this: “I am from Cologne, but do not think that this means I am...
Read →Work In Germany
Is working in Germany as a foreigner feasible? What are the hours like? How do you even get a work visa? If you've been asking yourself these questions, here's everything you need to know.
Read →Practice Speaking German On Your Own
There are quite a few methods out there that promise to help you practice speaking German. Not all of them are suitable for beginners and not many are any good for advanced learners either.
Read →Tag Der Arbeit
The first of May in German is called Tag der Arbeit - "day of work." Ironically, it's one of those days when Germans don't have to go to work.
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Practice Speaking German Preaching Technique
Many German learners wonder how they can practice speaking German with an online course without a tutor. I understand their concern but over the last five years I've found a wonderfully simple way...
Read →German Naturalization Test
The ministry for foreign a?airs of the Freistaat Obersachsen (Free State Upper Saxony, the counterpart to Niedersachsen or Lower Saxony) got inspired by the current trend of Schnelltests and decided...
Read →10 Tips To Learn German Faster
So you want to know how to learn German faster?'You're probably wondering things...
Read →The German Language Levels
Are you studying German and you’re wondering how long it will take to master each level of the German language?
Read →Rosenmontag: Foolery & Belonging
Something I’m sure every German-language learner who comes to Germany wants to do is get involved in the local culture. Not only is it a great way to push language learning opportunities onto oneself,...
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A Grammar Challenge: German Two-Way Prepositions
A real German grammar challenge, two way prepositions or as we prefer to call them two-case prepositions. These typically cause a lot of confusion. But once you understand how they work, they are...
Read →German Language Words Wehrmachtsnacht
'Fahren wir bald zum Wehrmachtsnacht?' I asked, hopefully.
Read →The Brothers Grimm and Grimms' Fairy Tales
Learning German does not just help you get a job with Lufthansa or book a hotel in Frankfurt. Learning German is also a passport into another world. And part of this world is the world of stories...
Read →Sport Machen In Deutschland
[False Friend alert: Sport machen in German is closer to "doing exercise" in English, not necessarily playing...
Read →The Superhero Technique
Many languages have their own peculiar approach to grammatical gender. For someone who is starting to learn German , it can be challenging to learn the gender of words. Does der Tisch (the table)...
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Sirens And Hamsterkaufe
Today, we'll first discuss the German sirens followed by Hamsterk'ufe.
Read →Angela Merkel A Lizard
' to some people at least. The idea that high ranking politicians have been replaced by members of the reptiloid family is believed by quite a few 'creative' minds out there. According to those who...
Read →Papierkrieg
What is der Papierkrieg ? Literally: "paper war." Paperwork. There is probably not a more fitting word in the language.
Read →Learn German German Without Subtitles
Since the Virus Lockdown really started in earnest, there has been less contact time out in 'the wild' to learn German and practice with the locals. There's still the hurried furtive moments paying...
Read →German Vs English German Now Simpler Than English
Many German learners struggle with the grammatical genders. Why on earth is a sausage feminine and why a girl neuter, they wonder. The personal pronouns add to the confusion. Why would an 'er' turn...
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German Expressions
The German language is filled with little humorous, linguistic gems'especially when directly translated to English. We would love to share some great German expressions with you whilst unraveling...
Read →How Do Germans See Brexit Day
January 31st 2020. Today is Brexit Day, and with less than an hour to go until the appointed hour ' midnight on mainland Europe (where I live), and 23:00 in the UK ' I sit here with my glass of...
Read →Dual Citizenship Germany
Dual Citizenship in Germany is a frequently discussed topic in German politics, especially when elections draw near. Conservative and right-wing players in particular like to invoke debates on the...
Read →Getting Married in Germany: A Primer
If you are thinking about getting married in Germany, or if you are considering a civil partnership there, prepare yourself for some formalities that may be different from your home country. Read on...
Read →Short History German Space Travel
To be honest, when I first had the idea of writing about German space travel, I didn't think there would be a lot to write about. I actually just thought that the title "A Short History of German...
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Public Transport Germany Schwarzfahren
Getting around in a city you don't know can't be much easier than by just using public transport. Every major town and almost all the smaller ones have such a way of traveling without the need of an...
Read →Womens Museum Bonn
Marianne Pitzen is a self-effacing artist who found a need and filled it. Born in Stuttgart on 29 May 1948, she held her first official art gallery exhibit just 21 years later. Obviously, Pitzen...
Read →Types Companies Germany
When moving to Germany in order to work here, it might be helpful to know a little about the types of companies you might encounter. That's why I thought I'd provide you with a short overview.
Read →Getting Married and Wedding Traditions in Germany
Wedding Traditions in Germany: Getting married in Germany involves going to the magistrate's office (Standesamt) because only marriages performed in the Standesamt are legally valid. Many people...
Read →Bakeries Germany Backwaren
When you ask German expats what they are missing most since they have left their country, they will sooner or later mention bread.
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Pinakothek Museum Munich
Munich has a wealth of superb museums, of which three stand out as spectacular jewels. The three Pinakothek museums are linked by their roots, mingled with the Wittelsbach family collection and...
Read →British Jews Applying German Citizenship
Somewhat 72 years after the end of World War II, hundreds of Jewish British citizens are applying for German citizenship and passport and have a realistic chance of getting one. As that would...
Read →Life Helmut Schmidt Obituary
Helmut Schmidt, Chancellor of West Germany between May, 1974, and October, 1982, died 10 November 2015.' Yesterday would have been his 99th birthday.' Schmidt also served as West Germany's Minister...
Read →Faberge Museum Baden Baden
While the superb boutiquey Faberg' museum was established in Baden-Baden eight years ago (2009) to honor the renowned Russian jeweler Peter Carl Faberg', it houses much, much more than examples of...
Read →German Advertisement Marketing
As globalization and internationalization have been shaping advertising strategies, we have also witnessed a transformation in language preferences. From the stigma of Denglisch to a symbol of...
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Gutenberg and the Invention of the Printing Press
The invention of the printing press: The market of printed books might still be strong and the rise of e-books might be slower than many expected. But printed papers and magazines already feel the...
Read →Weserburg Museum Modern Art In Germany
Referring to itself as "the museum in the river," the Weserburg is being unnecessarily and endearingly modest. This superb museum contains one of Germany's and the world's most significant...
Read →Find Flat Hamburg
Hamburg is not only one of the most beautiful cities in Germany but also one of the most expensive . Thus the prices for flats and houses are lower than, for example, in Munich or Stuttgart, and...
Read →German Grammar Exercises Test My German
The key to learning a language is context. Learning in context gives meaning to the vocabulary and grammar one learns. If you just learn vocabulary by using lists, you are likely to use the words...
Read →Bauhaus Museum Weimar
The Bauhaus Museum: Walter Gropius (18 May 1883'05 July 1969) was a renowned German-American architect and academic authority who founded the Bauhaus in Weimar in 1919.' The Bauhaus was an advanced...
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Germans Will Be Obliged To Take Integration Test Re Education Upon Failure
Germans will be obliged to take an integration test in Germany - Re-education upon failure.
Read →Being Vegan and Vegetarian in Germany
Theodor Hahn, a pharmacist, gained fame as a vegetarian advocate during this period. By 1890, the first vegetarian organizations were established in Leipzig. Fast forward more than a century, and...
Read →German Birthdays – Tradition upon Tradition
In many countries, birthdays are an occasion to celebrate that the person involved has survived another year. Birthday in Germany is no different in this respect, but the traditions there are a bit...
Read →Grades Separation Church State Germany
Despite an official separation, the influence of Christian churches in Germany persists, marked by a complex web of agreements and privileges. From the evolving religious landscape to the challenges...
Read →Prepare Studienkolleg Germany
So your qualifications are not considered enough for studying at a university in Germany? Time to check out the Studienkolleg ' a preparatory course especially meant for international students to be...
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German Unity Day
The exploration of Tag der Deutschen Einheit (German Unity Day) leads us back into the Roman Empire. Historically, the lands we know today as the nation of Germany were in reality governed by a...
Read →Fake News In Germany
After closely following the course of the US-Election, a couple of new terms entered my vocabulary ' terms such as 'Filter-Bubble' or 'Fake-News'. And as Americans are always a little faster than...
Read →Sanssouci Picture Gallery Potsdam
Frederick II of Prussia (Frederick the Great) (24 January 1712?17 August 1786), a strong supporter of benevolent despotism, built his magnificent rococo palace in a 290-hectare park in Potsdam, just...
Read →The Battle of Teutoburg Forest
Teutoburg: It is a wet morning in September of either 7 or 9 AD, and the might of Rome is on the move.
Read →Germania – Germany During the Roman Empire
Germania: when we typically think of relations between Rome and the Germanic peoples across the Rhine, it tends to be colored by warfare, conquests, and the eventual fall of the western empire...
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Voting Germany Elections Wahlen
Elections seem to be really trendy at the moment. 2016 had a rather big one and 2017 will see important elections in the Netherlands, France, and Germany. So, we thought we'd take a look at the...
Read →Angela Merkel Germanys First Scientist
She was the Time magazine's person of the year 2015 , and people refer to her as the mightiest woman in the world: Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel. If she wins the election in 2017 for the fourth...
Read →Chocolate Museum Cologne
A museum for the 'Naschkatze'! ' Wherever one may live on any of the five continents, it's impossible to think of chocolate without thinking of Germany, for German chocolate sets the benchmark ('der...
Read →Biergarten Garden Full Beer
Biergarten Eden: the days are getting longer, the temperature is rising, and suddenly it's summer. One of the best things you can do in Germany during the warm season is visit a beer garden...
Read →German Parties
Read German Parties part one here !
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Part One:''Ante-Third Reich
Motion pictures were initially developed in the 1870s by the British American photographer Eadweard Muybridge, building on France's Louis-Jacques-Mand' Daguerre's development of the positive...
Read →The Major German Political Parties – Part One
There are numerous differences between the Anglo-American style of democracy and the German way of organizing legislature, but one of the most obvious ones is the number of relevant German political...
Read →The Miracle of Berne – Das Wunder von Bern
When the German national soccer team won the World Cup in 2014, the whole country got on a razzle-dazzle. The fans of the team were expecting the cup for many years, and it was a kind of a relief to...
Read →Bud Spencer Incarnation Haudrauf Film
In the year of 2016, many beloved celebrities have gone, for example, the singer Prince or Lemmy from Mot'rhead. But another man died who was something like an icon for many people, not only in...
Read →Museum Bread Culture Ulm
Ulm, a city in Baden-Wurttemberg with a population of roughly 120,000, has many worthwhile cultural sights. One of the more unexpected and especially delightful ones is its Museum of Bread Culture...
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Quick Overview Political System Germany
Politics influence everything, so it is always good to be informed. But in order to know what you are talking about, you need to have the necessary information about the system you are living in. So...
Read →Pentecostalism Germany
When I recently listened to a Podcast on the history of Pentecostalism in the United States, I couldn't help but wonder how this global Christian manifestation fares in Germany.
Read →Why Do Some Israelis Have German-Sounding Names?
The brief answer to why some Israelis have german-sounding names would be “because of Ashkenazim ” - Jewish people who settled in the lands of Germany, Austria, even Poland who kept the...
Read →Watching Movie Arrival Can Make Better German Learner
In a practical sense, yes - German grammar forces you to think about gender, cases, and word order in ways English doesn't, which genuinely reshapes how you process information.
Read →Kurpfalzisches Museum Heidelberg
The Kurpf'lzisches Museum, i.e., the Palatinate Museum, in Heidelberg possesses some of the finest examples of archeological artifacts as well as superb examples of paintings, graphic arts...
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Die Luftbrucke Berlin Airlift
Berlin is a city full of rich history, culture and diversity. It has witnessed many deep impacts, was severely destroyed during WW II and separated afterwards. But nothing might have influenced the...
Read →Beginning May 1St Germany
The beginning of May has long been celebrated across Europe as the start of summer, with festivities ranging from the street carnival-like atmosphere of Finland to Morris dancing in areas of England. ...
Read →Master Degree Germany
If you plan to study in Germany at the level of the Master's degree, in some ways it's easier than trying to apply as an undergraduate at the Bachelor's level: If you are an English speaker, you're...
Read →Bachelor Degree Germany
So you've looked at our previous articles on studying in Germany, and you want to do your Bachelor degree in Germany. But how?
Read →Waldkindergarten Forest Kindergarten
Do you feel tense whenever you see a young child playing video games and wonder if they even know where strawberries grow? You are not alone. More and more parents find themselves looking for a way...
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Foundations Germany Stiftungen
Recent years saw a continuous rise in the creation of privately run foundations in Germany. In 2015 alone, 583 foundations have been created. As it is, the Bundesrepublik is home to a large amount...
Read →Integration Courses
Germany is Reacting to Growing Population with integration courses. In 2016, Germany welcomed 2.136.954 immigrants and said goodbye to 997.552 emigrants (...
Read →Sommerzeit
Sommerzeit : the first modern suggestion of "summertime" came from a humorous observation by Ben Franklin. Franklin's insight was sparked by Paris's latitude being about 1,100 kilometers north of...
Read →Get to Know the Vereine – Associations in Germany
Wanderlust, Fernweh, Fahrvergnügen – there are many words in the German language that one can't translate into English. Many of them also describe some basic German virtues. One you might not know...
Read →20 German Speaking Celebrities That Will Shock You
When it comes to celebrities speaking foreign languages , German isn’t one of the ones that might immediately cross your mind. We can watch videos of famous stars speaking Japanese, or rapid-fire...
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Germanic National Museum Nurnberg
We're in the 164th year of this superb museum's glorious history and, if you want to immerse yourself in German culture, regardless of the particular cultural or regional strain in which you're most...
Read →Weltdeutsch
In 1915, when World War I was still viewed with optimism and the outlook of a German Empire spanning vast regions of the world, someone decided that German needed to become a global language. The...
Read →Lowenzahn German National Treasure
Ask any German under 40 about L'wenzahn and chances are they'll start humming a jolly tune. That tune is the well-known theme to German public channel ZDF 's longest-running kids' TV show, L'wenzahn .
Read →Kunstsammlung Dresden
The Dresden State Art Collections, officially the Staatliche Kunstsammlung Dresden , comprises 14 distinct museums owned and maintained by the Free State of Saxony and headquartered in its capital...
Read →German Integration Courses
Everybody is talking about immigration, refugees, whether they are allowed to stay or even who is allowed and who not. But what's next? What happens if somebody comes to Germany and gets his...
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Driving Germany
Germany is known for its automobile-loving culture. From prestige cars like Porsche to the everyman's Volkswagen, the Germans have claimed their place in any car lover's heart. If you're ready for a...
Read →Insurances In Germany
Germany is the largest economy in Europe, one of the Top 5 economies in the world and home to the banking metropolis Frankfurt. But even on a small scale, Germans are pretty good with their money.
Read →What Was Alfred Wegener's Continental Drift Theory?
During an early summer after-concert party at Carnegie Hall in 1971, a clearly relieved Carole King, riding an emotional high after the successful reception of her very first pop concert, told a...
Read →Angela Merkel Last Defender Free World
Four more years. German Chancellor Angela Merkel announced that she is going to run for another term in office heading into 2017 and the upcoming election in September. So far, no real threat in the...
Read →Best Way To Travel In Germany
Germany has many beautiful places worth visiting. But besides the beauty of the country, it is also one of the largest in the European Union. So what to do if you are planning to travel Germany, to...
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Christmas In Germany
There are a few similarities between American traditions, at the least, and German traditions for Christmas. However, even though in both the United States and in Germany Christmas is a commercial...
Read →Embarrassment Germany
When you first arrive in Germany, you might think that we are totally immune to embarrassment. There are crazy events like carnival, nakedness in the sauna, and certainly no fear of disagreeing or...
Read →German Institute For Standardization
Everything has its rules in Germany. It is not only a standard cliché but also true in many cases - especially when you take a look at the so-called DIN, the Deutsche Institut für Normung (German...
Read →Numberphilebridging Gap Eight Nine
Have you ever wondered why they sound so similar despite having seemingly little in common? It's time for a little etymological journey . Including a journey over all of your eight fingers.
Read →Brexit German Perspective
Granted, the Brexit outcome of the referendum on the issue of Great Britain leaving the EU is already a few months old.
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Tipping In Germany
Tipping is a classic dilemma for international travellers . It's a way of showing your appreciation through paying a little extra for services, but how do you get it right and avoid embarrassment?...
Read →Konditorei Secrets
Certainly St. John did not have German Konditorei delicacies in mind when he wrote his Gospel, but, given the attendance at German Konditoreien every Sunday afternoon following religious services...
Read →Unserdeutsch Pidgin German
Due to its geographical position in Europe and its size, Germany is home to a diverse structure of dialects. Some of those dialects derive from old Germanic dialects so different they could count as...
Read →Winter Sports In Germany
If it can be done on ice or snow, not only have the Germans done it, but they've also perfected it.' So, if you prefer the exciting, heart-racing challenge of winter sports to the relaxed pace of...
Read →Chicken Pox Party
Chicken pox party: many people are afraid of diseases and try not to get infected when it comes to contact with ill persons. Especially the children are to be protected because of their delicateness...
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Sie or Du: How to Address a German Properly
In English, “you” is just “you” - whether formal or informal. It's great for when you don't know your relative social status or want to make a point of equality; however, a lot of languages make a...
Read →Fall Berlin Wall
There is hardly any other date in the latest German history that has influenced the country more than November 9th, 1989. It is the time where the Berlin Wall came down, and people from the east and...
Read →Financial Aid For International Students In Germany
Financial aid for international students in Germany is one of the trickiest things to figure out ' even in your home country. So let us help you with some information. As stated previously, normally...
Read →Germany Celebrates November
November is a month we often overlooked between the golden days of October and the golden lights of Christmas. But in Germany, this month does not disappoint. See how international and national...
Read →Documents May Needed University
So you've decided to study in Germany , and have read up on the basic information; you're in the process of getting your government-sponsored identification (such as a passport) if you do not...
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Halloween in Germany: the Scariest Time of the Year?
It’s on again on October 31st: It’s Halloween . But while Americans are becoming nervous about the upcoming celebrations, the pumpkin-carving and the quest for the perfect creepy, yet sexy costume...
Read →How To Study In Germany
So you've decided you want to study in Germany. But how to best go about it? What do you need? What do you do? Here are three essential tips to get you started.
Read →Electronic Music in Germany: The Story
When it comes to electronic music, Germany is not only an early adapter but a country of pioneers. German technicians and musicians such as Karlheinz Stockhausen were among the first to develop...
Read →Heinrich Schliemann 19Th Century Trump
Heinrich Schliemann was quite possibly an early version of Donald Trump, German style. On the one hand, he certainly contributed to archeological knowledge and progress; on the other hand, the man...
Read →The Advantages and Disadvantages of Sharing a Flat in Germany
Many university students in Germany don’t live on their own or with their family. They mostly live together with at least one roommate in a flat-share, or a "Wohngemeinschaft", a WG.
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What Has The Eu Ever Done For Us An Answer From The Border Region
Is the European Union (EU) all worth it or is it just a big, costly, sluggish, and bureaucratic super-entity?
Read →Holocaust Denial Crime Germany
In today's Germany , the outright denial and even the trivialization of the Holocaust in public is a federal crime, punishable by up to 5 years in prison. Why is that? And since when do these legal...
Read →10 Facts Tempelhofer Feld Berlin
The first flight took place in 1909. It was made by the French aviator Armand Zipfel. Zipfel was born in Lyon and learned about mechanics in his father's workshop for musical instruments.
Read →German Soccer Teams
German Soccer teams: The Hamburger Sportverein or short HSV is a very special club indeed. It is the only founding member of the highest German soccer league, the Bundesliga, that has never been...
Read →Germans Want To Cap On Ceo Salaries
It's been some time since the German government introduced a national minimum wage. A survey by Die Zeit indicates that almost half of Germans would like to see a maximum wage cap.
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Ludwig Maximilian University Lmu
Ludwig-Maximilians-University (LMU) is in Munich, Germany. Duke Ludwig IX the Wealthy of Bavaria-Landshut founded the university in Ingolstadt in 1472 by special papal leave.
Read →10 Hilarious Ways To Say Hello in German: Common German Greetings
If you thought saying hello in German was just about "Guten Tag," prepare to be delightfully surprised.
Read →German Startups
Since the beginning of the European debt crisis, the continent has been undergoing a startup revolution . And with its economy steadily expanding, Germany has been leading the way in it. As a...
Read →Dating in Berlin: Im Gegenteil – “Slow Datingâ€� Rises
Dating in Berlin: Im Gegenteil, Berlin's slow-dating website, looks like a consumer glossy magazine website at first, comparable to Marie Claire or Esquire in the United States – and then you...
Read →Golfing In Germany
Germany has more than 750 golf courses and many are part of various pro golf tours, e.g., the "European Tour" (highest level), the "Challenge Tour" (second level), and the "Pro Golf Tour" (third...
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Japan’s Relationship with Hitler – Hitler Mangas
For all his infamy, Adolf Hitler remains something a mystery, even in the 21st century. From humble origins as an aspiring Austrian artist, his rise as a soldier, activist, politician, and eventual...
Read →German From Scratch
It's kind of weird. I will actually be trying to learn German from scratch again. I decided to take part in an intensive German sign language course for four weeks from June, 13th until July, 8th.
Read →Refugee Crisis Germany
Refugee Crisis in Germany: The German transport minister stated recently that Germany can no longer show its 'friendly face' to refugees. Mr. Alexander Dobrindt pleaded with Chancellor Angela Merkel...
Read →Bicycling In Germany
There is something about bicycling in Germany that somehow frees us from Earth's tethers - at least figuratively. The sun in our face, the wind rushing past our ears, the ability to modify our...
Read →German Automoble Industry Bmw Celebrates 100 Years
Iconic German automobile'manufacturer BMW celebrated its 100 year anniversary on March 7th. For one day, the company halted production throughout their 30 international plants, and invited their...
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Study Germany Rwth Aachen University
Officially, it's the Rheinisch-Westf'lische Technische Hochschule, but, since that's quite a mouthful, we'll call it Aachen University.' It is the intellectual descendant of the Royal...
Read →The Future Of German Society
Thanks to a certain right-wing party's recent landslide election wins, the future of German culture has been secured. Under the working title 'German Leitkultur', native Germans as well as all...
Read →Grandfathers Of German Science Sylvius
Franciscus Sylvius (1614-1672) was a German physician, although he spent most of his life and career in Netherlands, credited with furthering and adding to the teachings of Paracelsus, i.e...
Read →German Easter Traditions and Chocolate with Alcohol
In countries with Christian history, Easter is one of the most important holidays of the year. Combining ancient pagan symbols for fertility and life (the egg and the bunny) with the message of hope...
Read →German Language Student
I'm deeply interested in the human nature and I am fascinated by the process of learning languages because learning the German language like learning any language is connected with experiencing...
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A New Course For German Manufacturing
Germany is well known for producing goods. The country is mostly known for its automobiles , chemical goods and home appliances. According to a report of the German National Academy of Science and...
Read →Efficient In House German Training
I often get contacted by companies who are looking for in-house German training for their employees. This is what I tell them, why they should look for a better solution than in house language...
Read →Germany Wants United Kingdom To Stay In Eu
German Chancellor Angela Merkel made an impassioned appeal, last week, for Britain to remain in the European Union.
Read →Universities In Germany
The University of W'rzburg'is one of the 15 intensive-research universities in Germany (' U15 German Universities ') that are recognized as such worldwide and that are particularly acknowledged as...
Read →Germany Bicycle Highway
Cyclists are elated over the introduction of the first portion of the Radschnellweg, an environmentally friendly German bicycle highway (Autobahn).
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TL;DR: A student's journey to passing the B1 German exam in just 14 days of preparation - what worked, what nearly didn't, and what this says about intensive language learning. >B1 in 14 Days - II
It's been done, but only by someone who already had a strong foundation and used extremely focused, structured study methods.
Read →Getting a License Plate in Germany
Our story getting a license plate in...
Read →German For Beginners
German for beginners: Are you having trouble with learning German? You are not alone. How to get started with learning the German language. Some important questions for beginners before you start...
Read →Learn German With Videos
This article will try to guide you through a fun and useful way of using videos for language learning, offering some helpful tips on how to use the Yabla platform for maximum effectiveness. Read on...
Read →TestDaF & DSH Exam: How to Prepare
The TestDaF is a high-level language examination and covers proficiency levels B2 to C1 in accordance with the six-level scale outlined in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages...
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A Swiss Experiences Germany Shopping
With my new life here in Berlin, I also had to get accustomed to the different shopping habits. To be more precise on what I mean, I got the feeling that here, in Berlin , some of the shops assume...
Read →A Swiss In Germany Hiding
There are some days when I try to avoid contact with other people, and it is amazingly easy to do so in Berlin . You do not have to talk if you are not in the mood. That is a bit sad, however. You...
Read →Studying In Berlin
The QS Best Student Cities list is published every year. This year studying in Berlin ranked 9 th while Munich came in 11 th place.
Read →Lets Lovestorm All The Haters Out There
Lately, I found myself in the center of a shitstorm created by a radical right wing crowd. Cause of this unusual uprising was the illustration you see on top of this blog post. While I am pretty...
Read →Christmas Markets In Germany Part 3
Best Christmas Markets in Germany - Part Three of...
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Christmas Markets In Germany Part 2
Christmas Markets in Germany - Part...
Read →Christmas Markets In Germany Part 1
Christmas Markets in Germany - Part...
Read →German Men Sit Down To Pee Book Review
Do they? Do German Men Sit Down to Pee? Frankly, I picked up this book because, after three years of living in Germany, I had the hunch that it might be true. So I was curious to see what other...
Read →Deutschland 83
In 2015, the television landscape witnessed a groundbreaking moment as "Deutschland 83" emerged as the first-ever German-language series to grace American screens. Starring Jonas Nay as a...
Read →Germany Mourns Over Paris Attack
One minute of silence fell all over Germany today, as people from all major cities gathered to mourn for the loss of 129 people in the Paris attacks over the weekend.
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Fun Ways To Learn German
Thank you all for participating in my little survey. Below are the results of about 500 answers. Below the image, you'll find how scientists answer the question and why you should be skeptical when...
Read →Jobs In Germany For Foreigners
Young people move to Germany in waves. The country's economy is booming thanks to its exports, a declining euro.
Read →How to Use "Damit" in German
© 2015 by Margareth Jabczynski & smarterGerman...
Read →Identify A Germans Birthplace
Guest post by Kerstin Cable of' fluentlanguage 'from the 10th of August...
Read →Why You Cant And Shouldnt Control Language
I was asked, what I though about denglish and the anglification of the German language . Here are my thoughts on these...
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Instant Appointment Burgeramt Berlin
Yesterday I tried to get a new passport for my trip to NYC later this year. Therefore I had to go to any B'rgeramt in Berlin . But only very few ones are actually serving citizens without an...
Read →Language Learning Apps
This is an updated version of my article about the language learning apps Duolingo & Co. in a much gentler tone than the original article and a few modified insights.
Read →Paying German Church Tax
You are obliged to pay German church tax...
Read →TL;DR: >GERMAN ARTICLES TABLE SONG
Four: Nominativ, Akkusativ, Dativ, and Genitiv - each changes the article and sometimes the noun ending.
Read →TL;DR: >Typical mistakes of German learners
Mixing up der/die/das , wrong word order in subordinate clauses, and translating English idioms literally into German.
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How To Sound Like A German
German hendiadis are combination of words that usually mean the same or at least something similar combined with 'und'. This emphasizes the words' meanings.' The following hendiadis are very common...
Read →Top 10 (Grammar) Rules for Beginners of German
Pick a structured course, commit to 30+ minutes daily, and be honest with yourself about your goals and timeline.
Read →Letter Pegida
If you haven't hear of PEGIDA yet, here is a quick overview: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PEGIDA . Keep in mind that not everyone would agree to that description. You will also find a plethora of...
Read →Using English To Learn German
Dear German learner, I absolutely understand your desire to find a tutor using English to learn German more efficiently. In using a language that you already understand well, your tutor is able to...
Read →Practice German Pronunciation
While it is often challenging to determine the pronunciation of an English word solely based on its spelling, German phonetics boasts a much more consistent set of pronunciation rules. When certain...
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Recipe Struggle German
I quite often come across the following situation and would like to share with you how I approach this problem. May you benefit from it. -------------------------------------------- On 07/23/14 4:37...
Read →Duolingo Review Discussion
Thank you for your responses to my Duolingo German review - I will gladly point out what I had in mind in my previous post. For those who are new to this discussion, I have cited Filip's arguments...
Read →Color German Articles
Often at times I have come across students that used three different colors to mark the different genders of German . What colors they used does not really matter. While colors are excellent to show...
Read →Changing Way World Learns German Yippiy
The idea to create an app that makes a German learner's life easier is already a few years old. But it always felt as if that was just not enough. An app often offers a very limited range of services....
Read →Learn German With Songs
Yesterday I have come across a nice article and video about a hip hop band for kids. To learn German with songs can be pretty efficient. Check it out here.
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Learning German in 14 Days ?
IMPORTANT: The B1 in 14 days project has ended. It was a one-time experiment. No, you can’t apply. No, I won’t make an exception. If you’re interested in what happened and what you can learn from it, ...
Read →German Vocabulary
German and English have many words in common. Often at times it is only slight changes that you would have to make to let you understand a German word. Do you think you can make out the meaning of...
Read →Smartergerman Review
Discover how Michael's innovative holistic approach and the personalized learning experience helped him achieve B1 and B2 certificates in 30 sessions, saving time and headaches.
Read →German Lessons
I am a pretty frequent visitor of my colleagues' German lessons and youtube channels and everywhere, really: everywhere I see German tutors who try to make learning German fun. This is like bringing...
Read →Duolingo German: Can the Duolingos Harm Your German?
It's free practice but doesn't teach you HOW to learn grammar - it just shows rules and hopes repetition does the work.
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German Articles
For those of you who prefer a "personal" teacher I have a video for you at the bottom of this post.
Read →How to Deal with Those Nasty German Prefixes
When you advance with your German you will sooner or later come across some initially confusing phenomenon: German prefixes. Those cause worldwide headaches especially when they are appearing in...
Read →Klaus Heidi Learn German In Berlin
You might have (not yet) heard of Klaus-Heidi, the Swede that is about to start a new life here in Berlin in 2014, sponsored by Lufthansa. All that participants have to do is to legally change their...
Read →German Listening
Yesterday I have spoken about what to look for in an excellent private German tutor. For 99% of German learners , there is no way around having a professional guide. But a guide is just a guide, the...
Read →Berlitzgerman
„One does not need a diet when learning German, one needs to feast on the abundant knowledge...
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German Audio Lessons
You might have heard of Pimsleur, Michel Thomas, Rocketgerman. These are German audio lessons that are - not to leave any doubt about it - very professionally designed and Michel Thomas courses are...
Read →The Realities of German Work Culture: An Expat Perspective
DISCLAIMER: Of course I'm not an expat in Germany but I've been one for two years in Poland (1999) and half a year in Turkey (2003) and I've worked with so many expats since then and am reading...
Read →German Children’s Books: Why You Shouldn‘t Read Them
Seriously, I have heard the opposite advice so often, I‘ve lost count. And I really enjoyed picking some really nice German Children’s books to read them to my now 23 year-old son.
Read →Party Nazis
When my brother, who is 15 years younger than me, first used the word Party-Nazis about a year ago, I was surprised of this word being used out of it's historical context. Nevertheless I understood...
Read →The German Perfect Tense with Sein
In the following minutes, I will guide you through the German Perfect tense in an unusual literary way. Forget grammar as you know it, welcome her as your new friend.
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