Better German Podcast

Susanne Schilk-Blümel
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Language Learning
  • Updated Biweekly

Your host Susanne Schilk-Blümel, or short Susi Blümel will teach you German and everything related to the language, the countries where German is spoken and the culture in those countries.

  1. Ep 73 German Articles Myth Busting and FAQs

    5d ago

    Ep 73 German Articles Myth Busting and FAQs

    German articles (der, die, das) are one of the biggest frustrations for learners—but many of the things you’ve heard about them simply aren’t true. In this episode, I answer the most common questions about German articles, explain why native speakers don’t learn complicated rules either, and show you a practical way to learn articles without driving yourself crazy. In this episode you’ll learn: How to know whether a noun is der, die or dasWhether there is really a trick to learning German articlesWhy you should learn articles with the nounHow German children naturally learn articlesCommon patterns (without memorizing endless rules)Why das Mädchen is neuterWhether Germans will understand you if you use the wrong articleWhy articles matter later for pronouns and casesCompound nouns and how they determine genderWhy der becomes den, dem and desThe biggest myths about German articlesReady to start learning German? Checkout the Get Talking Course Mentioned in this episode 📄 Free PDF: German Cases https://bettergerman.info/cases 🎧 Podcast Episodes 35–38: German Cases https://podcast.bettergerman.info Ready to start speaking German? Get Talking German is my complete hybrid German course for beginners and false beginners. You’ll get: Hundreds of video lessonsStep-by-step learning with the Better German MethodReading, writing, listening and speaking practiceWritten feedbackLive practice & Q&A sessions twice a monthHelp finding a practice partnerA supportive learning community👉 Learn more: https://bettergerman.info/get-talking-german-course/ 👉 Ready to join? https://bettergerman.info/join Join the free Better German Community Get free learning resources, podcast downloads, updates and connect with other German learners: https://bettergerman.info/community Questions? I’d love to hear from you! 📧 susi@bettergerman.info 🌐 https://bettergerman.info 🎧 Better German Podcast+ - Exclusive Podcast and CommunityEarly access exclusive PLUS content via your own private feed, all podcast resources in one place, ask questions and more. Free version is available if you just want to get started. 👉 Join here: https://bettergerman.info/community 🧭 Want to Take a Course? – Free Placement Exam Free Placement with exam/questionnaire, personal program and interview to confirm placement and answer any questions. Courses are online, include materials and combine self study and live lessons. Pricing starts at €100/month, depending on your program. 👉 Take the placement exam: https://bettergerman.info/test 🎓 Free Live Workshop | https://bettergerman.info/workshop 🌐 Website | https://bettergerman.info ▶️ YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@Better-German/ 🎵 TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@susibettergerman 📌 Pinterest | https://www.pinterest.com/susibettergerman ✉️ Contact | podcast@bettergerman.info 🎙 Start from Episode 1 | https://bettergerman.info/1 ⭐ Enjoyed this episode? A quick review or share helps more people find the podcast.

    29 min
  2. Ep 72 Demystifying German Articles

    Jun 22

    Ep 72 Demystifying German Articles

    🎧 German Articles: Do Native Speakers Really Know Them? German articles can feel confusing when you’re learning German. Do native speakers actually know all the genders? Are there secret rules that tell you whether a noun is der, die, or das? In this episode, I answer some of the most common questions about German articles and explain why this topic is often made more complicated than it needs to be. You’ll learn what native speakers really know, how articles are actually learned, and why trying to memorize endless rules is usually not the best approach. 📚 Key Topics in This Episode • What German noun genders really are• Why native speakers usually know the correct articles• Whether there are secret rules for der, die, and das• Why German articles should be learned as part of the word• Helpful patterns such as nouns ending in -ung• Compound nouns and how they can make articles easier• Why repetition is more important than memorization• The role of speaking and pronunciation when learning vocabulary• Common myths about German articles• How learners can make articles feel natural over time 🔗 Mentioned Links Better German Community: https://bettergerman.info/community Placement Test: https://bettergerman.info/test Book a Meeting: https://bettergerman.trafft.com 🚀 Learn German with Better German If you’re looking for a practical way to learn German, the Better German Community gives you access to courses, practice materials, community support, and regular opportunities to ask questions and get help. The Summer Offer is available for €47 per month. If you’d like to join, send me an email or book a meeting with me to discuss your goals and find out whether it’s a good fit for you. Not sure where to start? Take the placement test and I’ll help you figure out the best next step. 🎧 You May Also Like Episode 5: German Articles Explained Browse all podcast episodes:https://podcast.bettergerman.info 🎧 Better German Podcast+ - Exclusive Podcast and CommunityEarly access exclusive PLUS content via your own private feed, all podcast resources in one place, ask questions and more. Free version is available if you just want to get started. 👉 Join here: https://bettergerman.info/community 🧭 Want to Take a Course? – Free Placement Exam Free Placement with exam/questionnaire, personal program and interview to confirm placement and answer any questions. Courses are online, include materials and combine self study and live lessons. Pricing starts at €100/month, depending on your program. 👉 Take the placement exam: https://bettergerman.info/test 🎓 Free Live Workshop | https://bettergerman.info/workshop 🌐 Website | https://bettergerman.info ▶️ YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@Better-German/ 🎵 TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@susibettergerman 📌 Pinterest | https://www.pinterest.com/susibettergerman ✉️ Contact | podcast@bettergerman.info 🎙 Start from Episode 1 | https://bettergerman.info/1 ⭐ Enjoyed this episode? A quick review or share helps more people find the podcast.

    22 min
  3. Ep 71 Learn German City Words: Streets, Squares, and More

    Jun 5

    Ep 71 Learn German City Words: Streets, Squares, and More

    🏙️ Learn German City Words: Streets, Squares, and More In this episode, you’ll learn useful German vocabulary for talking about cities, streets, public transport, and the places around you. We cover common words you are likely to see in German-speaking cities, including streets, squares, houses, traffic lights, buses, trams, underground trains, and more. You’ll also discover some interesting vocabulary differences, including Austrian and German words for sidewalks, the special Viennese word “Palais,” and why the word “Platz” can have several different meanings depending on the situation.🎧 Better German Podcast+ — Exclusive Podcast & Community 🌏 In the community you find the list of words (and some extra) mentioned in this episode, as well as the Better German Starter Course!Also: Get early access to exclusive episodes, all podcast resources in one place, and the chance to ask questions and more!👉 Join here: https://bettergerman.info/community There’s also a free version if you just want to get started. 🎓Interested in Taking a Course? - Free Placement Exam:Free Placement with exam/questionnaire, personal program, and interview to confirm placement and answer any questions. Courses are online, include materials, and combine self-study and live lessons. Pricing starts at €100/month, depending on your program. 👉Take the placement exam: https://bettergerman.info/test  🎯 In this episode: • City vocabulary for everyday situations• Streets, alleys, squares, and boulevards• Traffic lights, crossings, and intersections• Houses, high-rises, and skyscrapers• Public transport vocabulary• Austrian vs. German word differences• Why German words can have multiple meanings• Simple ways to practice and remember new vocabulary 🎧 Better German Podcast+ - Exclusive Podcast and CommunityEarly access exclusive PLUS content via your own private feed, all podcast resources in one place, ask questions and more. Free version is available if you just want to get started. 👉 Join here: https://bettergerman.info/community 🧭 Want to Take a Course? – Free Placement Exam Free Placement with exam/questionnaire, personal program and interview to confirm placement and answer any questions. Courses are online, include materials and combine self study and live lessons. Pricing starts at €100/month, depending on your program. 👉 Take the placement exam: https://bettergerman.info/test 🎓 Free Live Workshop | https://bettergerman.info/workshop 🌐 Website | https://bettergerman.info ▶️ YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@Better-German/ 🎵 TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@susibettergerman 📌 Pinterest | https://www.pinterest.com/susibettergerman ✉️ Contact | podcast@bettergerman.info 🎙 Start from Episode 1 | https://bettergerman.info/1 ⭐ Enjoyed this episode? A quick review or share helps more people find the podcast.

    26 min
  4. Ep. 70: German Occupation Words for Beginners

    May 14

    Ep. 70: German Occupation Words for Beginners

    German profession words are something you will hear very early when learning the language — especially when introducing yourself or talking about other people. In this episode, we go through common German occupation words like teacher, doctor, waiter, police officer, hairdresser, and more. You’ll also learn an important difference between words like Beruf, Arbeit, Arbeitsstelle, and Job, plus how male and female profession forms work in German. We also practice a few very simple example sentences you can immediately start using yourself.🎧 Better German Podcast+ — Exclusive Podcast & Community 🌏 Get early access to exclusive episodes, all podcast resources in one place, and the chance to ask questions and more!👉 Join here: https://bettergerman.info/community There’s also a free version if you just want to get started. 🎓Interested in Taking a Course? - Free Placement Exam:Free Placement with exam/questionnaire, personal program, and interview to confirm placement and answer any questions. Courses are online, include materials, and combine self-study and live lessons. Pricing starts at €100/month, depending on your program. 👉Take the placement exam: https://bettergerman.info/test  In this episode: • Common German profession words• The difference between Beruf, Arbeit, Arbeitsstelle, and Job• Male and female profession forms in German• Simple beginner German sentences• Practical German vocabulary for everyday conversations Mentioned Links • Better German Level 1 Course: https://bettergerman.info/course • Work with Me / Placement Test: https://bettergerman.info/test • Better German Podcast Community: https://bettergerman.info/community • Start the Podcast from the Beginning: https://bettergerman.info/1 • Podcast Contact: podcast@bettergerman.info You May Also Like • Ep. 43 — German Numbers, Time & Prices https://bettergerman.info/43 • Ep. 63 — German Breakfast Vocabulary https://bettergerman.info/63 • Ep. 66 — Why People Study German for Years Without Speaking It https://bettergerman.info/66 • Ep. 69 — Why German Feels So Difficult https://bettergerman.info/69 🎧 Better German Podcast+ - Exclusive Podcast and CommunityEarly access exclusive PLUS content via your own private feed, all podcast resources in one place, ask questions and more. Free version is available if you just want to get started. 👉 Join here: https://bettergerman.info/community 🧭 Want to Take a Course? – Free Placement Exam Free Placement with exam/questionnaire, personal program and interview to confirm placement and answer any questions. Courses are online, include materials and combine self study and live lessons. Pricing starts at €100/month, depending on your program. 👉 Take the placement exam: https://bettergerman.info/test 🎓 Free Live Workshop | https://bettergerman.info/workshop 🌐 Website | https://bettergerman.info ▶️ YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@Better-German/ 🎵 TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@susibettergerman 📌 Pinterest | https://www.pinterest.com/susibettergerman ✉️ Contact | podcast@bettergerman.info 🎙 Start from Episode 1 | https://bettergerman.info/1 ⭐ Enjoyed this episode? A quick review or share helps more people find the podcast.

    13 min
  5. Ep 69 Why is German So Difficult - or is it?

    May 6

    Ep 69 Why is German So Difficult - or is it?

    🎧 Episode 69: Why is German so difficult – or is it? In this episode, Better German Podcast, Susi takes a closer look at one of the most common beliefs about learning German: that it’s “very difficult.” But is that actually true—or just something many learners have come to believe? You’ll explore what makes German objectively more challenging than some languages (especially for English speakers), but also why it’s far from the hardest language out there. More importantly, this episode focuses on what really creates difficulty when learning—and how you can change that.🎧 Better German Podcast+ — Exclusive Podcast & Community 🌏 Get early access to exclusive episodes, all podcast resources in one place, and the chance to ask questions and more!👉 Join here: https://bettergerman.info/community There’s also a free version if you just want to get started. 🎓Interested in Taking a Course? - Free Placement Exam:Free Placement with exam/questionnaire, personal program, and interview to confirm placement and answer any questions. Courses are online, include materials, and combine self-study and live lessons. Pricing starts at €100/month, depending on your program. 👉Take the placement exam: https://bettergerman.info/test  🔑 What you’ll learn in this episode Why German is considered “medium difficulty” for English speakersThe real reason German feels harder than languages like Spanish or ItalianHow cases (der, die, das) and flexible word order workWhy pronunciation in German is actually more consistent than in EnglishA surprising advantage: German has fewer tenses in everyday speechWhy some languages are objectively harder than GermanThe difference between objective difficulty and your personal experienceThe two main reasons why learning can feel “too hard”How to recognize when your learning method isn’t workingWhy missing steps—not lack of talent—cause frustrationHow step-by-step learning makes German manageable (and even easy)💡 Key idea from this episode If something feels very difficult, it usually doesn’t mean you can’t learn it. It means: either the method isn’t rightor a step is missingWhen learning is structured correctly, every step should feel doable. 🔗 Links & Resources Foreign Service Institute Levels of Difficulty https://www.touristsecrets.com/travel-tips/foreign-service-institute-language-difficulty-rankings/🚀 Get Talking German (Course): https://bettergerman.info/course🧪 Placement Test: https://bettergerman.info/test👥 Better German Community (free & premium): https://bettergerman.info/community🎧 Related Episode: https://bettergerman.info/4Episode 4 – How to Actually Learn German📌 You may also like How to Actually Learn German (Ep 4)German Cases Explained (Podcast series)Pronunciation-focused episodes with repeat-after-me practice⭐ Enjoying the podcast? If this episode helped you rethink how difficult German really is, leaving a review is a great way to support the podcast and help more learners find it. 🎧 Better German Podcast+ - Exclusive Podcast and CommunityEarly access exclusive PLUS content via your own private feed, all podcast resources in one place, ask questions and more. Free version is available if you just want to get started. 👉 Join here: https://bettergerman.info/community 🧭 Want to Take a Course? – Free Placement Exam Free Placement with exam/questionnaire, personal program and interview to confirm placement and answer any questions. Courses are online, include materials and combine self study and live lessons. Pricing starts at €100/month, depending on your program. 👉 Take the placement exam: https://bettergerman.info/test 🎓 Free Live Workshop | https://bettergerman.info/workshop 🌐 Website | https://bettergerman.info ▶️ YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@Better-German/ 🎵 TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@susibettergerman 📌 Pinterest | https://www.pinterest.com/susibettergerman ✉️ Contact | podcast@bettergerman.info 🎙 Start from Episode 1 | https://bettergerman.info/1 ⭐ Enjoyed this episode? A quick review or share helps more people find the podcast.

    20 min
  6. 68 Entertainment Activities in German

    Apr 30

    68 Entertainment Activities in German

    What would you do for fun in a German-speaking country?  In this episode, you’ll learn the most useful German words for entertainment — from concerts and opera to cafés, markets, and more — so you can understand what’s happening around you and actually take part in it.  Whether you’re visiting, living there, or planning to move, these are the words you’ll see everywhere. 🎧 Better German Podcast+ — Exclusive Podcast & Community 🌏 Get early access to exclusive episodes, all podcast resources in one place, and the chance to ask questions and more!👉 Join here: https://bettergerman.info/community There’s also a free version if you just want to get started. 🎓Interested in Taking a Course? - Free Placement Exam:Free Placement with exam/questionnaire, personal program, and interview to confirm placement and answer any questions. Courses are online, include materials, and combine self-study and live lessons. Pricing starts at €100/month, depending on your program. 👉Take the placement exam: https://bettergerman.info/test  🔑 What You'll Learn in this Episode  How to say common entertainment activities in GermanThe difference between opera (Oper), operetta (Operette), and musicals (Musical)How German and Austrian cities structure their entertainment cultureWhat to expect when attending events like opera or musicals (including subtitles)The difference between everyday places (cinema, café, market) and cultural venues (theater, opera)How to recognize and talk about local spots like markets, coffee houses, and parksSubtle cultural tips (like when to avoid tourist-heavy cafés and what locals actually do)🎧 Better German Podcast+ - Exclusive Podcast and CommunityEarly access exclusive PLUS content via your own private feed, all podcast resources in one place, ask questions and more. Free version is available if you just want to get started. 👉 Join here: https://bettergerman.info/community 🧭 Want to Take a Course? – Free Placement Exam Free Placement with exam/questionnaire, personal program and interview to confirm placement and answer any questions. Courses are online, include materials and combine self study and live lessons. Pricing starts at €100/month, depending on your program. 👉 Take the placement exam: https://bettergerman.info/test 🎓 Free Live Workshop | https://bettergerman.info/workshop 🌐 Website | https://bettergerman.info ▶️ YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@Better-German/ 🎵 TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@susibettergerman 📌 Pinterest | https://www.pinterest.com/susibettergerman ✉️ Contact | podcast@bettergerman.info 🎙 Start from Episode 1 | https://bettergerman.info/1 ⭐ Enjoyed this episode? A quick review or share helps more people find the podcast.

    17 min
  7. 67 How to Say "Would like" in German

    Apr 23

    67 How to Say "Would like" in German

    How would you say, "would like..." in German?🤔If you want to say things like "I would like a coffee," or "I would like to go swimming," in German, then this episode is for you. You’ll learn how to use one of the most useful verbs in everyday German: möchten - English, "would like."  This is a key building block for speaking naturally, whether you’re ordering food, making plans, or saying what you want. It’s a strong foundation to improve your spoken German.  🌍 Join the Better German Podcast + Exclusive Podcast and Community Get access to extra resources, ask questions, and go deeper with your German:  👉 https://bettergerman.info/community  Free community version available if you just want to get started.🎓Interested in Taking a Course? - Free Placement Exam:Free Placement with exam/questionnaire, personal program, and interview to confirm placement and answer any questions. Courses are online, include materials, and combine self-study and live lessons. Pricing starts at €100/month, depending on your program. 👉Take the placement exam: https://bettergerman.info/test  🔑 What You'll Learn in this Episode How to use möchten to say what you want How to say “I would like…” with things and actionsHow to ask questions like “Would you like…?”How to say “I don’t want…” using kein and nichtThe difference between kein / keine / keinen (made simple) 🎧Mentioned in this episode Learn about der, die, das (Articles) in Episode 5 👉 https://bettergerman.info/5Start from the beginning (Episode 1- Recommended for beginners)👉 https://bettergerman.info/1🎧 Better German Podcast+ - Exclusive Podcast and CommunityEarly access exclusive PLUS content via your own private feed, all podcast resources in one place, ask questions and more. Free version is available if you just want to get started. 👉 Join here: https://bettergerman.info/community 🧭 Want to Take a Course? – Free Placement Exam Free Placement with exam/questionnaire, personal program and interview to confirm placement and answer any questions. Courses are online, include materials and combine self study and live lessons. Pricing starts at €100/month, depending on your program. 👉 Take the placement exam: https://bettergerman.info/test 🎓 Free Live Workshop | https://bettergerman.info/workshop 🌐 Website | https://bettergerman.info ▶️ YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@Better-German/ 🎵 TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@susibettergerman 📌 Pinterest | https://www.pinterest.com/susibettergerman ✉️ Contact | podcast@bettergerman.info 🎙 Start from Episode 1 | https://bettergerman.info/1 ⭐ Enjoyed this episode? A quick review or share helps more people find the podcast.

    24 min
  8. 66 Why People Study German Many Years Without Success

    Apr 16

    66 Why People Study German Many Years Without Success

    Why People Study German for Years Without Success Have you been learning German for a long time—but still don’t feel confident speaking? In this episode, we look at why this happens and what most learners don’t realize about how German is usually taught. Whether you’ve already struggled or you’re just getting started, this will help you see things differently. 🎧 Better German Podcast+ - Exclusive Podcast and CommunityEarly access exclusive PLUS content via your own private feed, all podcast resources in one place, ask questions and more. Free version is available if you just want to get started. 👉 Join here: https://bettergerman.info/community 🧭 Want to Take a Course? – Free Placement Exam Free Placement with exam/questionnaire, personal program and interview to confirm placement and answer any questions. Courses are online, include materials and combine self study and live lessons. Pricing starts at €100/month, depending on your program. 👉 Take the placement exam: https://bettergerman.info/test What You’ll Learn in This Episode Why some learners study German for years without real resultsWhat’s missing in most German coursesA common mistake that prevents people from speakingWhy traditional learning approaches often failWhat actually needs to happen to make progressYou May Also Like these EpisodesHow to Actually Learn German 👉 https://bettergerman.info/4 German Levels Made Simple 👉 https://bettergerman.info/39 How Long Does It Take to Learn German? 👉 https://bettergerman.info/29 Stop Forgetting German Words 👉 https://bettergerman.info/48 Good Habits to Learn German 👉 https://bettergerman.info/54 How Not to Get Discouraged When Learning German (Part 1 & 2) 👉 https://bettergerman.info/55 👉 https://bettergerman.info/56 If this episode helped you, share it with someone who is learning German. 🎧 Better German Podcast+ - Exclusive Podcast and CommunityEarly access exclusive PLUS content via your own private feed, all podcast resources in one place, ask questions and more. Free version is available if you just want to get started. 👉 Join here: https://bettergerman.info/community 🧭 Want to Take a Course? – Free Placement Exam Free Placement with exam/questionnaire, personal program and interview to confirm placement and answer any questions. Courses are online, include materials and combine self study and live lessons. Pricing starts at €100/month, depending on your program. 👉 Take the placement exam: https://bettergerman.info/test 🎓 Free Live Workshop | https://bettergerman.info/workshop 🌐 Website | https://bettergerman.info ▶️ YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@Better-German/ 🎵 TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@susibettergerman 📌 Pinterest | https://www.pinterest.com/susibettergerman ✉️ Contact | podcast@bettergerman.info 🎙 Start from Episode 1 | https://bettergerman.info/1 ⭐ Enjoyed this episode? A quick review or share helps more people find the podcast.

    24 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Your host Susanne Schilk-Blümel, or short Susi Blümel will teach you German and everything related to the language, the countries where German is spoken and the culture in those countries.

Information

  • Creator
    Susanne Schilk-Blümel
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    74
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Susanne Schilk-Blümel
  • Show Website
    Better German Podcast

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