Category: Learning German

German is a useful language, and the reasons for learning German are varied. Many of my students here in London learn German for work or their businesses; others have connections with Germany, be they friends, family, or partners. Another group wants to speak German specifically at level B1 to apply for German citizenship at the […]

It might have taken you some time to decide to learn German. Seldom do we decide on a whim to learn a new language as it is quite an undertaking and rarely a short-term project. People learning German tend to have a connection with the language or German-speaking Europe, be it through family ties or […]

When considering the study of German in London, students have the option to select between in-person or online lessons. Both approaches offer distinct benefits, and learners should evaluate their personal preferences and educational objectives. This comparative examination delves into the advantages of in-person German instruction. An Immersive Learning Environment with In-Person Lessons A notable advantage […]

In a world increasingly shaped by advanced technologies like ChatGPT, the importance of foreign language learning may seem diminished at first glance. However, the opposite holds true. While ChatGPT and other AI-driven tools have undoubtedly transformed communication, the demand for individuals proficient in foreign languages remains high. In fact, foreign language skills have become a […]

When deciding on a German course, determine the goals of your German learning first. The reasons are manifold, with some learning German to use in business, to speak to friends or family, for cultural reasons, to read German philosophers, or to pass the language bar for a German visa or passport application.  Do you speak […]

London businesses find that having German-speaking staff generates more success when transacting in Germany, Austria or Switzerland. You may wonder what type of companies engage the services of a German tutor in London. There probably aren’t many industries that German Language Coach has not taught. Which industry needs German language talent? Many of our German […]

I receive many enquiries throughout the year from prospects looking to learn German in London. Most are in a hurry and would like to be fluent in no time. I have previously written a blog article on whether learning German is a sprint or a marathon. Please check out the article if it interests you. […]

Shortage of language skills A shortage of language skills has been identified as a barrier to trade. A recent British Chamber of Commerce survey shows that 70% of businesses have no foreign language abilities in the markets they serve. With the second-biggest UK export market being Germany, insufficient German language skills would hold back any […]

My German language journey and the lessons I have learnt Language learning is a marathon, not a sprint. This simple but effective expression rings true on many levels and is at the heart of my language learning philosophy.  Learning a new language is like embarking on an open ocean, with several thousand miles separating ourselves […]

You may want to learn German and wonder how long it will take to become fluent. This question I have heard many times, and there is not one single answer. Learning German Assuming you would like to learn German and not live in a German-speaking country, regular German lessons with a native-speaking German tutor are […]

You may find it hard to concentrate during your online German course. Rest assured, you are not alone. Hence I would like to share some tips on improving concentration: Time management Course time is your time. You’ve signed up for the course to learn German. Make sure it is not going to waste, and make […]

Writing emails to coworkers, WhatsApp messages to friends or posting on social media is part of using your German language skills. It can be daunting, and here are a few tips on overcoming your reluctance. Starting out writing in German Make use of words you already know. If you would like to talk about your […]

Learning a language not only connects you to a new culture and new people but gives you a new perspective of the world, or at least a unique perspective of the country whose language you are learning. Learning German in London German Language Coach provides German language courses in London based on levels A1 to C2 and […]

Upskill during lockdown by learning German Many countries are still in lockdown, and many people are working from home with plenty of extra time on their hands. That’s an additional 90 minutes a day in London if a one-way commute takes 45 minutes. Multiplied by five working days and, voilà, 7.5 hours every week need […]

I’ve been teaching German one-to-one and in group settings for many years. I now find myself helping students learn German online to continue earning a living and to minimise disruption to existing students so that they can progress with their German language studies during this Covid19 crisis or upskills by learning German online. Until February […]

Google translate appears to be a handy tool when you learn German. A word or phrase in English often produces the desired result in a foreign target language. Students often assume that online translation software or dictionaries are acceptable instruments when learning German. Learning German An online dictionary is convenient when abroad and needing to […]

New Year’s resolutions are high on the agenda, with the new decade just three weeks old. Folks have all sorts of good intentions for 2020; for some, it is learning a new language. Only 34% of 15 – 30-year-olds speak a second language in the UK. That’s very few compared with Denmark, where 99% of […]

Spanish is increasing, French is decreasing, and German is hardly taught in UK schools. 80% of all 15 – 30-year-olds in the EU speak at least one foreign language. Only 32% of 15 – 30-year-olds speak a foreign language in the UK. The German language Learning a foreign language has almost become a forgotten skill, yet […]

We often get asked whether there is a market for learning German in the City of London and who learns German and why. Yes, there is a large market for foreign language learning, especially German. Corporations approaching us are German companies co-opting their staff to learn German or reacquaint themselves with the language at some stage. Then some people […]

It can be exciting to learn a new language; it gives you new opportunities, helps you learn more about another culture and happens to be very impressive! Whatever reason you have for deciding to learn German, here are five top tips to not only help you learn faster but learn smarter and be on your […]

German is widely spoken in Europe: Count the 83 Million inhabitants of Germany, add Austria, the German-speaking part of Switzerland plus Luxemburg, and German-speaking minorities in Northern Italy, Southern Denmark and the Alsace in France, and you get the picture. Of course, there is more than just the holiday aspect since Germany is not exactly […]

Technology has, without doubt, made language learning far more accessible and may have even been responsible for some people taking up a foreign language as it’s a great way to have a little taster before committing to a formal course. However, it can also be incredibly tempting to use the technology at our disposal as […]

The Goethe Institute is a German cultural organisation that, for over 50 years, has been promoting interest in and studying the German language worldwide. In 2007, it launched an ambitious project which saw a series of events take place worldwide under the banner “The Power of Language” (Die Macht der Sprache). The project ran for two […]

A recent study of languages used on the internet* shows that German is one of the most widely-used languages in the online world. It’s hardly surprising that English is the most-used language, the primary content language for 55% of all websites. Just under 6% of websites use German as a content language. While this may not sound […]

A frequency dictionary can be of great help when learning German. It does not, however, replace a conventional bilingual or monolingual dictionary. Let’s look at a few German words and their frequency in the German language: the most frequent word being the definite articles der, die, and das and their various forms. You may already […]

You must have come across words that you never seem to be able to remember. Why is it that you remember some words better than others when learning German? The answer is word frequency. Word frequency analysis is not new and dates back over 100 years to 1898, when Friedrich Wilhelm Kaeding published a frequency […]

The British don’t have the best reputation for proficient speakers of foreign languages. Changes to school curriculums are attempting to remedy this situation and prevent future generations from being thought “lazy” by the rest of Europe because so many of us don’t take the trouble to learn a second language. But is it too late […]

One of the things learners of any language frequently lament is the lack of opportunities outside of their lessons to practice what they’ve learnt. Your German classes will help you develop your speaking and writing skills. However, you can help further develop your listening and reading skills by availing yourself of some of the many […]

You are learning German and wondered where you could practice listening and comprehension. Podcasts are a great way of listening to German on the bus, on the tube or whilst walking. It can take quite some time to work through before you find what suits you best. We produce our German language podcast, which you can […]

If you want to learn German, you might consider a self-learning course, contact a language school or engage a private tutor. Autodidactic learning is probably the most cost-effective way of picking up a new language, and you don’t have to schlepp halfway across London to attend classes. Some get pretty far in using that method. […]

German is widely spoken in Europe: Count the 80 Million inhabitants of Germany, add Austria, the German-speaking part of Switzerland plus Luxemburg, and German-speaking minorities in Northern Italy, Southern Denmark and the Alsace in France, and you get the picture. Of course, there is more than just the holiday aspect since Germany is not exactly […]