Category Archives: Learn German
Looking for tips for learning German? From recommendations for German language music or films, here are some of my best tips and tricks for learning German. From one German learner to another!
Learn German with Music of Drangsal
Learn German with Music of Drangsal
There is something so honest about a musician who wears his influences on his sleeve. Maybe that is what makes them an artist. It takes a truly creative individual to take those influences and create something that is completely new. Drangsal is one of those artists. His love of ’80s synth-pop can be heard plainly in his music. But it never leaves his listeners feeling like they are in a time warp with rehashed sounds and ideas. His music still feels fresh and modern.
So this month, let’s learn German with music and get to know Drangsal better. His melodic alt-pop songs will surely win over many language learners!
Learn German with Films of Sandra Hüller
We live in an age of instant gratification by way of binge-watching. Films sometimes skip theater releases and an entire season of a television series can be consumed in a single day. But certain actors and actresses, like Sandra Hüller, have their roots in community theater. They came from the theater and, even once they are established in films and television, they remain loyal to the theater.
But do not get the wrong idea. In addition to Sandra Hüller being a prolific actress, she is also a legitimate star on both the stage and the screen. So this month, let’s practice German and get to know this remarkable actress by studying some of the films starring Sandra Hüller.
Learn German with Music of Trümmer
While rock is not quite as popular as it once was, that is not stopping Trümmer. The Hamburg quartet may not be breaking new ground or conducting any wild avant-garde experimentation. But with their confident and often restrained garage rock-inspired sound, they are keeping alive a well-loved sound. And what is more, is that they are doing it in the German language.
So this month, let us get to know Trümmer and practice German with music!
Learn German with Films of Jannis Niewöhner
Although he is only barely 30 years old, actor Jannis Niewöhner is making a name for himself professionally both in Germany and internationally. In fact, it has been a slow and steady rise for him. His career is already approaching a remarkable two decades and he has more than 50 credits on his resume.
Now is a great time to get to know this rising German film star and practice the German language! Get to know Jannis Niewöhner with this month’s German-language films feature.
All three of the film recommendations for this month are German films that are available from streaming services. It’s worth noting that not only are these services convenient for watching at home, but they also frequently include subtitles or audio in German or your local language. For extra German language practice, watch the films in English (or your mother tongue) and then again in German.
Learn German with Music of Die Nerven
Fans of post-punk and noise rock will want to tune in to Die Nerven. For over a decade, the trio from southern Germany has walked that fine line between being too heavy or too poppy. There are moments of indulgent noise and pounding punk. But the group never dwells too long on a single sound, continuing to develop their sound and remain dynamic. And over the course of several albums, there is a clear and marked progression.
So this month it is time to better get to know Die Nerven and learn German with music!
Learn German with Films: Volker Schlöndorff
Filmmaker Volker Schlöndorff is a legend as part of Germany’s New German Cinema. The movement in the late 1960s and early 1970s saw incredible German filmmakers like Rainer Werner Fassbinder, Werner Herzog, and Wim Wenders burst onto the scene. Collectively, the group has pushed boundaries and changed the way films were made and viewed in Germany and beyond. The impact is still visible today.
Schlöndorff was at the helm as director for a number of notable films. His film version of Günter Grass’ The Tin Drum won him international acclaim, including an Oscar. Following his success in German cinema, he branched out to English language films. Today, Volker Schlöndorff’s films don’t stick to a single language but are still tackling serious topics.
With decades of film to catch up on, now is the time to get to know Volker Schlöndorff and learn German with film!
Learn German with Music of Tomte
There is something instantly likable about Tomte. The group is part of the ’80s and ’90s indie rock movement in northern Germany. As a result, they have had an important impact on the German language music scene. Their indie-pop music has a sound that would probably win over your mother. But they are still underground enough that you likely will need to offer the introduction.
For more than two decades, the group has created its trademark sound with thoughtful melodies and carefully crafted songs. For German language learners, their understated sound and clear vocals are extremely appealing.
So this month, practice German with music and get to know German indie rockers Tomte!
Learn German with Films of Christian Petzold
Some filmmakers are notable for working with the same cast and crew on multiple projects. Maybe someone is a muse. Maybe it is the safety and comfort of a well-oiled working relationship. Or maybe it is something else. Director and writer Christian Petzold is one of those filmmakers. Nina Hoss, Benno Fürmann, Ronald Zehrfeld, Paula Beer, and Franz Rogowski are all actors with whom Petzold has worked on multiple films. And given the tone and intimacy that he captures with his films, the formula seems to be working.
This month, get to know filmmaker Christian Petzold and practice those German language skills!
Learn German with Music of Messer
It would not be out of line to call German rock band Messer timeless. If you think about it, the word has multiple meanings. On the one hand, the band has not (yet!) been around long enough for their music to have withstood the test of time. On the other hand, their post-punk meets new wave sound could be straight out of yesterday or today. It is a subtle blending of influences and sounds that creates originality.
But there is more than just rock music you can get from this post-punk band. As German language learners, it is always an opportunity to learn! So this month, let’s get to know Messer better and learn German with music!
Learn German with Films of Heiner Lauterbach
Heiner Lauterbach is a veteran. He has more than forty years in the film industry so it wouldn’t be surprising if he’s already crossed your path. The actor has an impressive array of television and films on his resume, not to mention theater.
And his resume is growing regularly. From comedy to drama, Heiner Lauterbach has done it all. This month’s featured German film recommendations for German learners is Heiner Lauterbach!
Learn German with Music of Die Ärzte
Punk rock trio Die Ärzte have been known to refer to themselves as the best band in Berlin and the best band in the world. While they might not be as well known internationally as their peers Die Toten Hosen, Die Ärzte have played an important part in the German punk scene.
Regardless of whether you’re a fan of punk rock or not, get to know Die Ärzte — this month’s music recommendation for German language learners.
Learn German with Films of Karoline Herfurth
Since her big film debut in the 2000 film Crazy (which also starred prior German-language film recommendation Robert Stadlober in the lead role), Berlin actress Karoline Herfurth has been awful busy. In addition to several theater productions and made for television movies, she has got quite a list of film credits to her name. Not to mention that Herfurth made her directorial debut with a short film in 2012
This month’s German film recommendations for German language learners include three more recent films with Herfurth all of which are rather different: Fack Ju Göhte, Beat, and SMS für Dich!