Épisodes

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

    Ep 69 Why is German So Difficult - or is it?
    May 6 2026
    🎧 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 episodeWhy 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 episodeIf 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 & ResourcesForeign 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 likeHow 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 ExamFree 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.
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    20 min
  • 68 Entertainment Activities in German

    68 Entertainment Activities in German
    Apr 30 2026
    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 German
    • The difference between opera (Oper), operetta (Operette), and musicals (Musical)
    • How German and Austrian cities structure their entertainment culture
    • What 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 parks
    • Subtle cultural tips (like when to avoid tourist-heavy cafés and what locals actually do)

    🎧 Better German Podcast+ - Exclusive Podcast and Community
    Early 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 ExamFree 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.
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    17 min
  • 67 How to Say "Would like" in German

    67 How to Say "Would like" in German
    Apr 23 2026
    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 CommunityGet 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 actions
    • How to ask questions like “Would you like…?”
    • How to say “I don’t want…” using kein and nicht
    • The difference between kein / keine / keinen (made simple)
    🎧Mentioned in this episode
    • Learn about der, die, das (Articles) in Episode 5 👉 https://bettergerman.info/5
    • Start from the beginning (Episode 1- Recommended for beginners)👉 https://bettergerman.info/1

    🎧 Better German Podcast+ - Exclusive Podcast and Community
    Early 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 ExamFree 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.
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    24 min
  • 66 Why People Study German Many Years Without Success

    66 Why People Study German Many Years Without Success
    Apr 16 2026
    Why People Study German for Years Without SuccessHave 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 ExamFree 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/testWhat You’ll Learn in This EpisodeWhy 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/4German Levels Made Simple 👉 https://bettergerman.info/39How Long Does It Take to Learn German? 👉 https://bettergerman.info/29Stop Forgetting German Words 👉 https://bettergerman.info/48Good Habits to Learn German 👉 https://bettergerman.info/54How Not to Get Discouraged When Learning German (Part 1 & 2)👉 https://bettergerman.info/55👉 https://bettergerman.info/56If 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 ExamFree 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.
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    24 min
  • 65 German Weather Words for Everyday Use

    65 German Weather Words for Everyday Use
    Apr 9 2026
    🌤️ German Weather Words You’ll Actually Use
    Talking about the weather is one of the easiest ways to start speaking German — and in this episode, you’ll learn the core words and simple sentence patterns to do exactly that. From “the sun is shining” to “it’s raining right now”, I break it down step by step so you can start forming your own sentences immediately.

    🎧 Better German Podcast+ (referred to as "VIP") in the episodeGet early access to new episodes and exclusive PLUS content you won’t hear in the public podcast — delivered directly to your podcast app via your own private feed, plus you have a community environment!

    Inside the Podcast+ Community, you also get all podcast resources in one place and a space to ask questions and actually use what you’re learning.A free version is available if you just want to get started.👉 Join here: https://bettergerman.info/community
    🔑 What You’ll Learn in This Episode
    • The most essential German weather words (sun, rain, wind, clouds, and more)
    • Key descriptive words like hot, cold, wet, dry
    • Simple sentence patterns you can use with the weather words instantly
    • Workable word and sentence practice tips
    • How to say “there is / there are” in German (e.g., “Es gibt viel Wind” = “there is a lot of wind” and “Es gibt viele Wolken” = “there are many clouds”)
    • How to say what’s happening right now in German — without “-ing” (e.g., “It rains” instead of “It’s raining”)

    🎧Mentioned in this episode ➝ Episode 64 — How to Actually Practice Words
    If you want to remember and use the words from this episode, go back and listen to Episode 64. It shows you how to turn vocabulary into real speaking.
    🔗 Full Transcript & Episode Page👉 bettergerman.info/65
    🎧 Better German Podcast+ - Exclusive Podcast and Community
    Early 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 ExamFree 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.
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    24 min
  • Welcome to the Better German Podcast +

    Welcome to the Better German Podcast +
    Apr 8 2026
    🌟Welcome to Better German Podcast Plus🌟

    Welcome! There's now a Plus version of the Better German podcast — and in this episode, you'll see what's different and how it can help you actually start using German. In this short welcome episode, you'll see exactly what you now have access to — and how to get the most out of it from the start.

    🔑 What You Get with Better German PlusThis is not a replacement for the main podcast; it's an upgrade.Inside the Plus tier, you now get:
    • Early access to new episodes (sometimes weeks, even months, ahead)
    • Exclusive VIP-only episodes and material every month (additional content you won't find in the main podcast)
    • Guided practice episodes to help you actually use what you learn,
    • The ability to suggest topics and shape future episodes,
    • Expanded resources, word lists, and sentence patterns.


    🎧 Better German Podcast+ - Exclusive Podcast and Community
    Early 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 ExamFree 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.
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    10 min
  • 64 What Real Practice Looks Like

    64 What Real Practice Looks Like
    Apr 2 2026
    What Does Real Practice of German Actually Look Like?In this episode, you'll learn why most learners stay stuck — even after years of studying — and what to do instead. This is not about memorizing word lists or doing endless exercises. It's about how to turn words into something you can actually use . You'll learn a simple, repeatable way to practice vocabulary so that it sticks — and more importantly, so that you can speak with it .If you've ever felt like you “know” words but can't use them, this episode will fix that.🎧 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 ExamFree 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 EpisodeWhy most German learning methods don't lead to real speaking abilityThe 80/20 rule of language learning — and why practice matters more than theoryHow many words you actually need to start speaking GermanThe right way to practice a new word (step by step)Why pronunciation is the first thing you need to get rightHow to move from “recognizing” a word to actually using itHow to build simple sentences — even if you don't know all the grammar yetWhy learning articles (der, die, das) with the noun mattersHow long it really takes to learn and use new German vocabularyWhy traditional school methods fail (and what to do instead)How to practice German with a partner effectively🎓 Get Talking German CourseReady to stop guessing and start speaking?Here is our German for Beginners & Restarters course:👉 bettergerman.info/course🎧Mentioned in this episode👉Episode 5 - Introduction to Articles🎧 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 ExamFree 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.
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    22 min
  • 63 Breakfast Words in German

    63 Breakfast Words in German
    Mar 26 2026
    What do you actually say at breakfast in German?
    In this episode, you'll learn the most important German words for breakfast — from Breakfast and Breakfast Buffet to eggs, bread, coffee, and more.
    You'll also see how German builds long words by combining smaller ones, and why some everyday words work differently than in English. This episode is about understanding what you'll actually hear and say in real life — especially in places like hotels, cafés, and bakeries.

    🎧 Better German Podcast+ - Exclusive Podcast and Community
    Early 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 ExamFree 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
    • What breakfast words mean in German (and why it's not sometimes the same logic as English)
    • How German combines words (like Breakfast + Buffet ) to make one word.
    • Essential breakfast vocabulary (eggs, drinks, bread, and more)
    • The difference between standard German and Austrian words (like 'Paradeiser' for Tomato in Austria )
    • Why bread culture in German-speaking countries is different
    • How small word endings (like -chen ) change the meaning of a word.

    🎧 Better German Podcast+ - Exclusive Podcast and Community
    Early 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 ExamFree 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.
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    25 min