“Halftime Show“
Hallo ihr lieben,
day 12 of our epic Advent Calendar. That means, we’ve done half the journey and that means it’s time for a really epic
Halftime Show
And because Cardi B. and Ed Sheeran cancelled last minute, we’ll just have an epic load of ADS.
And I want YOU to run them.
Now you’re of course like “Whaaaaat?” so here’s what’s really going on:
Many of you have probably noticed it but didn’t want to hurt my feelings so you didn’t say anything but….
My link page sucks!
I haven’t updated it since the 80s and it really shows. Several links are broken, the layout is awful and there are not very many cool links in that cool link sections.
I am gonna do an update on that soon and I have some ideas of what to put there, but there are loads of apps and sites out there and I can’t check them all, so I’d really love your input as well:
If you know an app or a website or a Youtube channel or a book
that you think is really helpful, please share it in the comments.
I’m really curious to see what you are using and if there’s some common ones besides Duolingo… which most of you have had contact with, I bet.
So yeah, if you know something that YOU think is USEFUL, please share it with a short description what they offer and WHY you think it’s a great tool and I’ll then compile that into a nice looking Link-Page next year.
Cool.
Now, most if not all of you are now of course like “Boooh, those are recommendations, not ads. Worst halftime show ever!!”
And you’re of course right. It’s not a proper halftime show without at least one actual ad.
So… I present to you my Etsy store:
And here’s a little preview of what I do:
They look like paintings, but they’re actually photography. I’ve been doing photography pretty much since I was a child and in recent years, I especially love exploring the hidden, surreal worlds that can be found in seemingly boring images of nature.
I also do more “normal” photography, but for now I focus on these abstract images.
I sell them as digital image so you’d have to print them yourself, but at least in Germany you can do that in many drug stores in pretty good quality.
So yeah… if you like one of them and you still need a Christmas present for someone – why not a picture. And I have a sale going on, so it’s a REALLY good deal.
But please… no pity buying !!!! Only if you really like one :).
Oh, and if you buy, please leave me a review, that really helps a great deal actually.
So… that was enough ad, I think. Can’t wait for your resource suggestions, have a great day, and bis morgen.
The Volkshochschule has several apps now from A1 to B2 (ins Büro) that are very good. They were (re)rolled out for keeping students sharp during the pandemic, but in some ways were better than the classes sometimes.
I don’t know how to link for apps but you can find them by searching “vhs Deutsch” and insert your desired level in the middle there. Ie “vhs A2-Deutsch” etc. etc.
I find German with Jenny on Youtube helpful for basic grammar reminders…
Finally someone mentions her. I was wondering, actually, why no one mentioned the “first generation” of German Youtubers… (Jenny, Getgermanized, Anja, Deutsch für Euch…). Are you using her Webapp, also?
One very nitpicky comment… it’s either “awaiting approval” or “waiting for approval.” Just thought of it while I was awaiting for approval. :)
Actually, that one is not on me. It’s the software that puts this line there :)
Your photos are really interesting and clever!
Danke :)
uugot.it is an app developed in Austria. Learners choose from actual tv shorts and can adjust the speed and translation language. I was one of the beta testers years ago. It’s developed into a really useful learning tool.
Cool, that looks really useful. Similar to learngermanwithnetflix.com.
Does it cost something or is it free?
Wow, this both informative and creative. Your nature photos are beautiful. I appreciate that is both simple and intriguing. All the links to assist with learning German is very helpful. Thank you everyone :)
Danke dir!!
Thank you everyone for the useful links! Duden’s mentor is going to be sooo helpful! I totally agree with Amerikanerin about Tandem and I am glad you suggested Hello Talk instead.
I like using http://www.readlang.com.
It is not specific about German, because it is a tool that can be used for many languages. Basically, you copy-paste a text you want to read, and when clicking on words or phrases you are provided with a translation. My regret is that the site uses Leo for German-French and it is not my favourite dictionnary. Words you clicked become “flash cards” to be reviewed, and the card always presents you the context, which is very useful. I don’t use any other flash card app. People can share texts too, so you can read from the “library” or import your own texts (to share or for your own private use only). I use it for texts from my job when I read new useful phrases (Die Rechnung is beglichen… My latest discovery. Viel schöner als Ich habe die Rechnung bezahlt!)
For beginners, I would recommand http://www.languagetransfer.org.
I didn’t used the German course, but for another language it was the best method I could find. It is completely audio. I really like the way he explains things.
Great suggestions, thank you!!
(and thanks for the second opinion on Tandem… I’ll definitely NOT include it :)
Sehr schöne Fotos, gratuliere!! Es ist sehr beeindrückend, dass sie echte Fotos sind aber so abstrakt und “otherworldly” aussehen.
Was die Links angeht gibt es schon so viele Vorschläge, dass ich nicht weiß ob ich etwas dazu sagen kann, aber ich lasse trotzdem meine Empfehlungen:
Ansonsten habe ich meistens mit Büchern gelernt :)
You claim to be curious about what we’re using to learn German – I have a sinking feeling that you’re not THIS curious, but here’s my German Learning Podcast link. If you feel strong enough for the site link… lemme know.
Just to verify how bizarre I really am – in case there was any doubt: yes, I’ve listened to ALL of the episodes – caught up with each and every one from the beginning. And no, I DON’T have a life.
Auf Deutsch gesagt! mit und von Robin Meinert
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/auf-deutsch-gesagt/id1455018378
Coffee Break German
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/coffee-break-german/id595399272
Deutsch lernen durch Hören
https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/deutsch-lernen-durch-hören/id1517685312
Deutsch mit Schmidt
https://podcasts.apple.com/se/podcast/deutsch-mit-schmidt-advanced-german-language-learning/id1484268706
Easy German
https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1482297423
Grips Deutsch
https://www.br.de/grips/faecher/grips-deutsch/index.html
Herr Professor
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/herr-professor/id1212160482
Logo!
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/zdf-logo-deine-nachrichten/id187624659
Radio Teddy nachgefragt
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/radio-teddy-nachgefragt/id1456109140
Sprachbar
https://podcasts.apple.com/se/podcast/sprachbar-deutsch-lernen-deutsche-welle/id282930800
Stammtisch (inaktiv)
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-stammtisch-podcast/id1477527617
Half busted. Of course I am not on the edge of my seat waiting for your sources, but I do honestly find it interesting what you recommend and more importantly, HOW you talk about it.
Those bits you mentioned about Tandem… I am not gonna get this info by looking at the tandem website, so now I’ll probably NOT include that and add HelloTalk instead.
That’s what I am looking for because I really can’t go over all these websites and check out what they do and then pretend to have an opinion about something that I am not using.
Hello Emanuel,
I highly recommend Lingoni (or you can find it by searching Learn German with Jenny).
I’m using Lingoni from A1 to B2, and it’s really helpful. I watched every video from Jenny and wrote down the sentences and repeated them hundreds of times until they became my own sentences.
Link: https://de.lingoni.com/?login=true&message=session
Their Youtube Channel:
Link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClBrbJXNh2sFxOuvH4o5H9g
Meanwhile I also read a german magazine Deutsch Perfekt in my free time. It’s a great german learning material for learners who reach A2-C1 level. People can practice their reading skill, listening comprehension and learn some grammar. Toll!
Link: https://www.deutsch-perfekt.com/
By the way, I love these wonderful photos, especially the Herbst and Die Trauerweide.
Liebe Grüße,
Ziye
So many fantastic suggestions and links to explore, thanks so much everyone for this!
I still use old paper books!- one of the Hueber Verlag series but am also working my way through DWs Nicos Weg, watch Easy German vids, listen to Coffee Break German Magazine and Auf Deutsch Gesagt.
Read Nachrichtenleicht.
I also finished the Duolingo tree but didn’t really find it that helpful.
P.s Beautiful photos Emanuel, you have a good eye :0
Cool Fotos, doch von mir aus sieht jede Foto ein bisschen traurig.
habe “die Trauerweide” gekauft, weil die meine 2020 entsprecht, so unglücklich.
Ein Monat im Krankenhaus bleiben, Trennung mit meiner Freundin
Vielleicht könntest du versuchen, nächstmal ein postiveres Foto zu machen.
Still puzzled by Vielen Dank
You say … Danke für Ihre Hilfe = Thanks for your help
From which I presume … Der Dank … Die Danke
So why not Vielen Danke ?
To this dumb head … Vielen Dank looks like “Many thank” (singular noun) which doesn’t look good with Many => more than one => thanks ???
It’s an old phrase and I think it carries an Accusative ending.
– Haben Sie vielen Dank!
The “vielen” is treated like an adjective here. Similar to this:
– Ich habe mit den vielen Regeln Probleme.
– I have issues with the many/numerous rules.
But “Dank” is also considered “non-countable” like water. Hence, singular.
And now here I am reading one of my favourite English poems in German using a rough translation which I also attempted. I look forward to hearing my pronunciation and translation errors … feel free to criticise harshly … we English deserve international condemnation for Brexit and daring to speak a European language badly :-)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_PdEnb16IU
I refuse to condemn either of those things :)
You are (1) a good and kind German (2) wise to avoid politics … they are so divisive. But I would like some feedback on how I could improve my German pronunciation … I handle feedback really well and try never to think it is negative.
Usually I can tell where an English speaker lives by their voice. The clarity of speech of the speaker of The Silmarillion is admirable. The English are by nature afraid of too much emotion, but allow it a little when involved in literature as an author or as a narrator. The speaker has to be from the South of England and the accent suggests an Oxford education (whereas I am an ersatz Southerner sent to school in Dorset from the dark Midlands before emigrating to the antipode).
Australian speech is a topic for another day … I have managed to escape its worst horrors and my learned South of England accent has resisted them :-)
Thanks for the chance to hear the audiobook !!!
Correction … Antipodes
Here I am reading a famous poem titled “Daffodils” by the English poet William Wordworth :- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbGYbYrcX5U
Here’s a link to the Silmarillion audio book … for voice comparison :)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddVH2BC24rc
I’ve uploaded Beginner German Part 2 in my You Tube Channel.
It’s actually a 2 way lesson :-
Part 3 is available on request for a $ 2 subscription to the ongoing course and quizzes … cheap at 10 times the price … lol
https://youtu.be/3oFsRv15Qgg
And hear is my nearest beach :-)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31tRJ3Hjekg
Looks great!! Here’s my nearest beach:
(there is none)
Gorgeous photos! I’m really impressed. You have an eye AND an ear. We are lucky students!
As for links, this is just a tiny 53-seconds
vid–my sister in Vienna told me about the way her German teacher taught her Wechselpräpositionen with gestures, so I looked it up on YouTube and found this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4HdTEUmRlI
(Maybe it’s already a big cliché in Germany, but I enjoyed it and learned from it.)
Wow, that’s actually a HUGE channel. Over half a million subs. And I didn’t even know it existed.
Not sure if I like the content they’ve put up recently, though.
Oh, I didn’t look at anything else there, just the cute hand-gestures one. I like your approach so much better! I’m really hooked, and very appreciative of your creative Advent Calendar treats for us. :) Plus I love etymology…just sayin’.
Does this qualify as a Beginner German Student resource ?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1d_Mlci5s0
I hope you like my educated English accent … I was sent to a very expensive English boarding school to learn to speak well :-)
I could never afford the fees for my own kids … and only got there because I had a scholarship :-)
Best Wishes … Besten Wünsche
OK I know it’s boring … which is why the title is “It’s raining cats and dogs” … how do you say that in German please, by which I mean do you use the same animals to indicate heavy rain ?
I think you would use “Es schüttet wie aus Eimern” (literally: it’s pouring as if out of buckets, or something close to that!).
Vielen Dank !! Also I have also wondered why it is not “Vielen Danke” … stupid English person that I am !!
The noun is “der Dank”. “Danke” is (I think) just a short version of “Ich danke.”
Yup, genau!! Oder “gießt” statt “schüttet”
I’d say “Es schüttet wie aus Eimern”.
Your voice and way of speaking sounds like from a professional narrator. The guy who read the Silmarillion audio book sounds a bit like you :)
But wait… aren’t you in Down Under? Have you not picked up that accent even a bit? Or can you control it?
I can control my Berlin accent pretty well. It only really comes out when I talk to other Berliners.
Wonderful, fantastic photography. Really beautiful. You have an eye, indeed.
And for German learning, I have a (very) old fashioned suggestion. I like to curl up in bed and read German grammar. (Oooh boy, that does NOT sound good. Really I DO have a life…) But the book that I enjoy reading the most when I’m in this kind of “entertain me by challenging me” mood is Hammer’s German Grammar and Usage. It really is fun. Really. Truly. Explains all kinds of cool things about words and ways of everyday German. Ok, be skeptical, but don’t totally write me off as a nutcase until you’ve gotten one from the library and looked it over. Then ask for it for Christmas, because dang it’s expensive. Whew. They printed it on gold leaf, I guess. But it’s good. Really good. Not kidding.
Damn, that book is REALLY expensive! $48 for a used copy? Amazon has gotten greedy as of late :)
But yeah… I think this book could be called a classic. Haven’t read it, but it keeps being mentioned consistently.
In case you are a C1 student, I’d recommend the Duden Grammar (in German), above the 7th edition. It’s ALL the grammar and it’s actually really well done.
I’m searching for Duden Grammatik 7 and am getting ‘Duden Deutsch in 15 Minuten’ Is this the one you are referring to Emanuel?
Hallo! I learned a lot from DW – Deutsch zum mitnehmen, Coffee break German podcast and Easy German youtube ans podcast.
Beautiful photos!
Thanks for mentioning Coffee Break German. I knew that one and I think it’s great but I always forget about it whenever I am asked for resources.