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!
German born and raised actress Diane Kruger once revealed that Quentin Tarantino was reluctant to cast her in Inglourious Basterds. She had spent so long trying to lose her German accent that the director didn’t believe she was German. While Kruger’s list of credits isn’t exactly full of German language roles, it brings up an […]
German Actors You Don’t Know You Already Know Read More »
I first became aware of German singer-songwriter Toni Kater through her collaborations with Einstürzende Neubauten percussionist and a favorite of mine, Rudi Moser. In addition to his appearances in Kater’s own music, the two worked together under the name Kill Royal and released an English language track (the darkly absorbing “Remember”) through the Lokalhymnen Berlin
German Music: Toni Kater Read More »
After reading Swiss author Christian Kracht‘s debut novel Faserland I was hooked. While not overly simplistic by any means, Kracht writes novels that are challenging for a German language learner but aren’t overly complex either. I’m a loyal reader, a loyal fan, generally speaking. If I like the book an author has written — or
German Book Review: Kracht’s 1979 Read More »
My week-long self-imposed German challenge is over. So how’d I do? I made it — but only just. The whole reason I challenged myself was because life has gotten really busy. But as we all know, if you don’t use it you lose it. After years of hard studying, I’m sure as hell not ready
German Challenge: Recap Read More »
The German Challenge is half over! How about that? As I write this, I’m mid-way through my self-imposed challenge to do 30 hours of German practice in a week. There have been positives and negatives and I wanted to share those, as well as how I’ve been spending my time.
German Challenge: Mid-Week Check-In Read More »
It’s time to get serious and work a little harder on learning German. I can personally admit that, for a variety of reasons (read: life and work) I haven’t been working as hard as I once was. But I’m going to jump start my German skills as 2014 winds to an end with a week
The German Challenge Read More »
Learning a foreign language is difficult. You simply cannot cut corners. There’s no secret trick. But there are things you can do to work smarter and not harder. I’ve put together a list of five simple things that I’ve found have helped me as I continue to tackle German.
5 Tips for German Language Learning Read More »
While my general music preferences tend to be rather “moody,” shall we say, there’s something to be said about a high energy band with an infectious melody and lyrics you can’t get out of your head. And, from my experience, there is no better way to absorb the German language (or any foreign language, for
German Music: Mega! Mega! Read More »
I love Benjamin von Stuckrad-Barre. Really. I do. I watched his television shows religiously thanks to the power of that wonderful thing we call the internet. I read all of his books that I can get my little not-in-Germany hands on. I even — and I cringe admitting this — wrote him a fan letter.
Review: Stuckrad-Barre’s Deutsches Theater Read More »
Looking for more current German language music, German learners? Then may I suggest none other than Düsseldorf based band Susanne Blech? The synthpop band make high energy, catchy and thoughtful music. As it would happen, they released a new album, Welt verhindern, last month. What a coincidence. As a German language learner, if you don’t
German Music: Susanne Blech Read More »
Mandels Büro is a first for me. It’s the first e-Book that I’ve read and it’s the first book I’ve borrowed and read from Onleihe. I’m also willing to admit that I’m a bit partial to the title character due to his last name’s resemblance to my own. But I’m not the only one full
German Book Review: Mandels Büro Read More »
Reading newspapers, websites and magazines all the time can get tedious or boring, especially if you prefer to read fiction or aren’t interested in current events. That’s where eBooks come in. One of the amazing advances of technology in this digital age is the fact that you can now walk around with a huge library
German eBooks for Practicing Language Learning Read More »
