For students and teachers of German as a foreign language. A new and comprehensive approach to one of Europe's major languages. From the producers of Learn French by Podcast.
20 'Shall we go out this evening?'
It's often the case that we make suggestions to each other - to go to the cinema, to go out for something to eat, to go for a drink. That's the focus of our discussion in this lesson.
5/24/2011 • 11 minutes, 16 seconds
19 Talking about the weather
A common topic of conversation is the weather. That will be our focus in this lesson. We'll begin with a conversation between Frau Meier and Herr Mueller who are neighbours but who, nonetheless, address each other formally.
5/24/2011 • 11 minutes, 35 seconds
18 'What would you like to eat this evening?...'
In this lesson, Martin and Stefanie are discussing what to eat this evening. The possibilities are endless. Let's consider some of those possibilities in this lesson.
5/24/2011 • 10 minutes, 37 seconds
17 'Excuse me... could you recommend a good restaurant, please?...'
In this lesson, Frau Weber has arrived in Stuttgart. She doesn't know the city, however, and is looking for a good restaurant. She stops a passer-by to ask for a recommendation.
5/24/2011 • 9 minutes, 22 seconds
16 A trip to the baker's
When away on a trip, chances are that you'll pay a visit to a bakery to sample some fine local patisseries. Let's do just that in this lesson. We'll start with a dialogue between the shop assistant and Herr Schmidt.
5/24/2011 • 9 minutes, 31 seconds
15 Buying something at the pharmacy
If you're on vacation or on business abroad, it's almost a given that, at some stage you'll need to pay a visit to the local pharmacy. That's the focus of our attention in this lesson.
5/24/2011 • 16 minutes
14 Talking about a family member
In the last lesson, Paul and Sabine were talking about Paul's sister, Steffi. Let's add some more detail to the discussion this time. We'll hear more about Steffi, and why she is feeling a little stressed at the moment.
5/24/2011 • 9 minutes, 31 seconds
13 More about you...
In a previous lesson, we discovered how to introduce oneself. This time, we'll see how to discuss one's own family. In our role-play, Paul talks to Sabine about himself... and his sister.
5/24/2011 • 9 minutes, 15 seconds
12 A trip to the local market
This lesson involves a trip to the local market. We'll discuss some more numbers and, of course, discover the names of some common grocery items.
5/24/2011 • 12 minutes, 54 seconds
11 'A ticket to the city centre, please...'
Buying a ticket - for the theatre, to a concert, for a bus to the city centre - is a common task. Let's see how to go about doing just that in this lesson. We also talk about directions. The setting for our dialogue is a bus station: Herr Schmidt needs to find out how to get to the city. Let's start with a short dialogue.
5/24/2011 • 12 minutes, 39 seconds
10 'I'd like a bouquet of flowers, please...'
In this lesson, we'll discuss some numbers, and some colours, as as we buy a bouquet of flowers at the florist. Let's start with a role-play between Herr Meier and the florist...
5/24/2011 • 8 minutes, 50 seconds
09 Ordering something in a coffee shop
Our task in this lesson will be to order something in a coffee shop. We'll make use of key vocabulary, including the verbs 'helfen', 'trinken' and 'essen'. But that's only the beginning...
5/24/2011 • 7 minutes, 35 seconds
08 'Is Mr Smith here?'
In this lesson's dialogue, Herr Meier calls into an office looking for Herr Schmidt. Herr Schmidt is away, however. Herr Meier must arrange to come back again later.
5/24/2011 • 8 minutes, 31 seconds
07 Talking about family, Part II
This lesson expands on our discussion of family from the previous lesson. Frau Meier and Herr Schmidt bump into each other in the park. Though they are living in the same apartment block, it's the first time they have actually engaged in conversation.
5/24/2011 • 11 minutes, 17 seconds
06 Talking about family, Part I
In this lesson, we talk about family. In her conversation with Markus, Isabel talks about the people in a photograph she is holding.
5/24/2011 • 10 minutes, 29 seconds
05 Discussing flight plans
In this lesson, Andrea and Frank are in an airport lounge. They briefly discuss where they're flying to. We'll pick up useful expressions, including the verbs for 'to fly' and 'to travel'.
5/24/2011 • 10 minutes, 6 seconds
04 Talking about work
In this lesson, Mr Meier meets Ms Mueller. They speak briefly about their work. Let's hear about what they do and whether or not Herr Meier likes his job.
5/24/2011 • 9 minutes, 31 seconds
03 Introducing oneself
In this lesson, Herr Meier bumps into Frau Schmidt, his new neighbour, for the first time. Their brief conversation contains some basic - but very important - expressions.
5/24/2011 • 6 minutes, 17 seconds
02 The German Alphabet
What is someone asks you to spell your surname, in the bank or post office, or when making a reservation? We cannot get far in German without knowing the alphabet. Let's familiarise ourselves with the key sounds and pronunciations in this lesson.
5/24/2011 • 11 minutes, 53 seconds
01 'Are you German?'
In this first lesson, our goal is to get a feel for the sounds of German. We start with a very short exchange between two people on a flight who are essentially talking about their nationality. It is our first encounter with the key verb 'sein'. We will also make use of the verb 'kommen'. Let's get started!