Reverberations

Learn German with Films of Alexandra Maria Lara

Romanian-German actress Alexandra Maria Lara is a familiar face both inside and outside of the German film industry. Born in Bucharest, Lara and her family fled Communist Romania in the early 1980s. The family eventually found refuge in West Germany. Today, she is a notable actress in the world of cinema. But not just in German films. You may have seen her in big Hollywood English-language films such as The Reader, the Ron Howard directed Rush, the Francis Ford Coppola directed Youth Without Youth, or the Anton Corbijn directed Control. Lara clearly is making her mark on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean.

Lara has appeared in major German language films like Der Untergang and the recent Amazon original series You Are Wanted. Practice your German language skills with these three film and television recommendations featuring actress Alexandra Maria Lara.

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Thoughtful German Language Learning Gifts

Learn German

Learning a foreign language like German is difficult! There are no corners that you can cut and no shortcuts you can take. It is all about putting in the hard work. But, that doesn’t mean that learning a foreign language can’t be fun. With this German language learning gift guide, you can send a message of support to someone special in your life. Or, you can treat yourself as a reward for all of the time and energy you’re spending. It’s amazing how impactful a small thing like a kind word or a thoughtful gift can be to keeping someone motivated. Here are more than a dozen great gifts for a German language learner.

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Learn German with the Music of Kraftklub

German Music, Learn German

With their mix of indie rock and rap, Kraftklub is one of the most popular bands on the German music scene. The quintet from Chemnitz has released three studio albums, all of which have gone to the top of the German music charts. And with good reason. The young, hip band is making music that is catchy, memorable, and always has a sense of humor. So this month, let’s practice German with the music of rockers Kraftklub!

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Learn German with Films of Moritz Bleibtreu

German Films, Learn German

To say that actor Moritz Bleibtreu is a busy man is an understatement. He has nearly 100 acting credits to his name during his almost 40-year career. That is pretty impressive. He has appeared in major English language films like Woman in Gold, The Fifth Estate, Speed Racer, and Steven Spielberg’s Munich. But his film credits in the German language are equally as impressive. His roles are wide-ranging, showing his abilities at his craft. So this month, let’s learn German with the films of Moritz Bleibtreu.

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4 Great East Coast Dog Friendly Beaches

Travel

The beach is a wonderland from a dog’s perspective. On dog friendly beaches, there are all of those great scents, you can run around a bit, there’s sand to dig in, and there are birds to keep an eye on. The ocean also tends to be a bit of a novelty: Do you chase it? Do you swim in it? Do you just splash in it? And you certainly never turn your back to it, that’s for sure! It’s a dog’s life, indeed. But sometimes finding beaches that allow dogs can be a challenge. Not to worry, I’ve got four great East Coast dog friendly beaches that you’ll love.

While many beaches don’t allow dogs during the summer, the offseason is prime season for a beach vacation with Man’s Best Friend! But there are many beaches that allow dogs even during the peak season.

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Support & Save: Reciprocal Museum Membership

Travel

Whenever my husband and I travel, it is a foregone conclusion that we will go to the art museum(s) in the city. I like art. He likes art. It makes sense and we enjoy it immensely. And it is by way of our love of art museums that I have found a great way to save money visiting museums with a reciprocal museum membership. Art museums can be expensive despite being well worth the cost. With a reciprocal membership, we’re able to enjoy admission to museums across the country without opening our wallets. (Except to show our membership cards, that is.)

Not only that, but a museum membership is a great way to put your money where your mouth is and support your local museums!

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Your Guide to a Fun Summer in Philadelphia

Travel

Let’s not mince words: Summer in Philadelphia is hot and humid. While many Philadelphians will spend the hot summer months going “down the shore,” the city still has a lot going on. There are countless activities, events, and festivals you can enjoy outside in the City of Brotherly Love while temperatures slowly cool off and the sunset takes a leisurely pace. You can certainly expect the historic sites and museums to be full of tourists, but don’t let it put you off. Summer in Philly can be so rewarding!

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Learn German with Music of AnnenMayKantereit

German Music, Learn German

German singer Henning May’s voice makes his band AnnenMayKantereit almost instantly recognizable. Upon first glance, it is surprising to hear such a deep and rich tone emerge from such a young man. When May’s voice is combined with the light, memorable melodies on piano or guitar, it is easy to see why the band has found great success in the German-speaking world. (And they are not afraid to do some English language music, too. But we language learners will stick to the German tunes, right? Right!)

And it is a good thing that AnnenMayKantereit is so recognizable because their music is so popular you seem to hear it everywhere. The German group can be found on television, radio and everywhere in between.

So this month, let’s set toes tapping and learn German with the music of AnnenMayKantereit!

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Learn German with Films of Tobias Moretti

Learn German, German Films

Austrian actor Tobias Moretti is truly a jack of all trades. He began his career as an actor on the stage but he has mastered performing on both the big and small screens (that is, cinema and television). He can portray “the bad guy” impressively, sending chills down your spine. But Moretti can also bring a smile to your face in a clever comedy. So this month, let’s learn German with the film and television roles of Tobias Moretti!

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Dublin Airport US Preclearance Guide

Travel

One of the worst parts of international air travel is coming back home. And by that, I don’t even mean the fact that your international adventure is over. (Although, let’s be real. That isn’t easy, either.) No, what I mean is that you arrive back in the United States only to stand in line for who knows how long, reeling from jetlag, in order to clear customs and immigration.

But international travelers flying into the United States from Dublin are required to complete Dublin Airport US Preclearance. You read that right: air travelers pass through United States customs and immigration before even leaving Ireland…or even Europe! While Dublin preclearance still requires you to wait in line, it gets the immigration check out of the way early.

This is especially relevant to travelers taking advantage of direct flights to Dublin with Aer Lingus. Let me tell you, there is no better feeling than arriving at your home airport after hours on an international flight and being able to simply go home without any extra checks. While this guide is generally for those with US citizenship, it also applies to international visitors, too.

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Best German Podcasts You Need to Hear

Learn German

Learning German is all about practice. Whether you are driving to work in your car, out for a jog, or just cleaning around the house, listening to German podcasts is a really great way to pass the time and flex those language learning muscles in your brain. And, of course, there are podcasts for every taste and skill level. If you are looking to catch up on current events or just have a laugh, there are news and comedy podcasts. Maybe your interests lie in discovering new music? Perhaps you’re looking to be drawn into a true crime story. Looking for German podcasts for beginners? I’ve got you covered!

I have pulled together more than a dozen of the best German podcasts that German language learners will want to check out. And, as an added bonus, most if not all of these offerings I’ve listed are free German podcasts that you can enjoy without reaching for your wallet.

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Learn German with Rock Music of Falco

German Music, Learn German

Although pop singer Falco died more than two decades ago, his legacy lives on in today’s Austrian pop music scene. Bands like Wanda and Bilderbuch capture the late musician’s confident swagger, not to mention they serve up incredibly memorable tunes sung in a mix of the Austrian-German dialect. Many will know Falco for the worldwide hit “Rock Me Amadeus.” But who was Falco? This month, let’s explore the pop rock music of Austrian singer Falco and practice the German language.

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