Edwin is an Expat living in München (Germany).
He works at Sulzer GmbH as a Computer Programmer.
When he arrived and started to learn German he was worried about making mistakes when speaking:
“In the beginning I was also too worried about getting the grammar perfect and if I didn’t know the exact way to say it, I would not say anything out of fear.”
The biggest challenge he faced when learning German was that traditional school classes were very time consuming:
“I finished up to level A2 during a normal German course that I attended twice a week after work for 3 hours. This excludes my travel time to the German school and back. 2 nights a week I had to attend the course and 2 other nights I had to do homework so I basically had no free time for myself during the week. I really disliked sitting in a classroom when the weather was nice and sunny outside and not having time for myself or my wife.”
He also didn’t feel that the results he got from the classroom teaching was worth the time spent:
“I always learned something new in the 3 hour course, but after each lesson I thought that I could have taught it to myself over the internet in 15 minutes. So I always thought I was not using my time efficiently. No school offers you the opportunity to really study at your own pace.”
He decided to join my online-program “From Zero to C1 in 25 Minutes a Day”.
My Program offered him a structured learning system that he could easily integrate into his busy life.
Step-by-step he has been improving his German by developing a better understanding of grammar and sentence structure and growing his confidence in expressing himself when speaking.
A few months ago he gave it a try and took the official B1 Goethe exam so he could obtain his Permanent Residency in Germany.
He was able to pass it with an incredible 89% score in Speaking:
- Reading: 83/100 (83%)
- Listening: 80/100 (80%)
- Writing: 81/100 (81%)
- Speaking: 89/100 (89%)
What’s even more important are “real” results you can see for yourself in your day to day life and even at work:
“With your program I learned that the Germans will still understand you even if you make grammar mistakes and they appreciate it a lot if you at least try. Once I gained more confidence I started remembering all the words and all the grammar because I was not so nervous anymore. I went from very basic conversations in German to a level where I discuss all my work topics in German, attend meetings in German and not having to translate every document or e-mail I read.”
Here’s a complete interview I did with him so you can learn from his journey going through my program.
Let’s jump right into it.
Edwin,
What did you try before starting with my program “From Zero to C1”?
I finished up to level A2 during a normal German course that I attended twice a week after work for 3 hours. This excludes my travel time to the German school and back. 2 nights a week I had to attend the course and 2 other nights I had to do homework so I basically had no free time for myself during the week. I really disliked sitting in a classroom when the weather was nice and sunny outside.
What was your biggest challenge you faced with learning German?
Not having time for myself or my wife. I always learned something new in the 3 hour course, but after each lesson I thought that I could have taught it to myself over the internet in 15 minutes. So I always thought I was not using my time efficiently.
What kind of program were you looking for?
A program that got to the point quicker, where I could learn something new and practice it.
What was your goal when you started?
I have some intermittent goals like getting my B1 certificate that I need for Permanent Residency in Germany and also proof to my employers that I am actually making progress with my language learning as it is a German company I work for. But in the end, the big overall goal is to be able to speak an acceptable level of German where I can do daily things without the help of a native speaker.
What struck you the most the first time you came across my program?
Although you are learning the same things as in a normal German school it is much more effective. Studying at your own pace is what I really like, I am very motivated so I listened to a lot of podcasts every day. But if you want to go at a slower pace that is also fine. No school offers you the opportunity to really study at your own pace.
What was the big difference between my program and the way you learned German before?
Firstly not attending a class for 3 hours and learning only a couple more things during that time. If I studied for 3 hours with this program I felt I learned/practiced material worth 3 hours of effort. It is much better value for the time you put in. The flexibility of listening to the podcasts at any available time really suits my lifestyle. I am a computer programmer and many programs were written while listening to a Herr Professor podcast. Although I finished my German level A2 course at a German school I redid this course with Herr. Professor’s program and it was totally worth it. Some things I definitely knew from the German school, but there were many new things I learned with this program or more importantly, actually understood for the first time.
What are some of the results you’ve achieved so far going through my program?
Firstly, getting my B1 certificate is an important stepping stone for me. But I went from very basic conversations in German to a level where I discuss all my work topics in German, attend meetings in German and not having to translate every document or e-mail I read.
How did you prepare for your B1 exam?
The exam tips in the B1 course were extremely helpful. There were also practice exams so I knew exactly what to expect during the exam. The most important tip for me was the Presentation example which is needed during the Speaking part of the exam. With the help of the exam preparation part I was extremely well prepared for the Speaking. I knew going into the exam that I would pass it, a feeling I never had while attending school.
How long did it take to prepare your B1 exam?
I started practicing previous exam papers about a month before my B1 exam. I put in more time over the last 2 weeks, practicing the Speaking part. I believe if you commit you could probably do the whole preparation within 1-2 weeks.
What was the most difficult part in the exam?
Nothing was particularly bad, but I guess the Listening part was the worst part for me. Although the sound was very good in our exam center, it is not always easy listening to a conversation over a speaker. Maybe this is because I spend more time practicing my Writing and Speaking parts for the exam.
Which specific resources helped you the most along the way?
I really liked the Fluency Tests, it is a short test where you can immediately see if you understand the lesson or not.
How did you stay focused and motivated through the program?
Every time I left a meeting or discussion at work I felt really excluded as I had no idea what was said. It really motivated me to keep on studying.
How did you manage to combine a full-time job and learning German on the side?
My work situation made it easy for me and 90% of the studying was done listening to podcasts while working.
How did a typical daily learning routine look like?
On the train to work which takes only 15 min I would do the Memrise app exercises. I would do this again on my way home. As soon as I got to the office I would start listening to the podcasts. I tried to listen to 2 podcasts before lunch while I was still fresh in the morning and then a bit more in the afternoon.
How much time did you spend daily on average for your learning?
This was very different each day, it all depended on how many meetings I had. But anything from 1 hour to some days up to 5 hours.
What did you emphasize the most when learning?
The Fluency Test was my goal on each level. I would repeat all the podcasts numerous times as I wanted to do a very good Fluency Test the first time.
What was your biggest obstacle and how did you overcome it?
Myself. Sometimes it would feel like my German has not improved at all during the last month or so and I would get very demotivated. But then at some point I would have a conversation with someone and I would end up impressing myself with all the German I have learned.
What was the most important thing that helped you become more fluent in speaking?
Speaking German with others is extremely important. But without a good German foundation you won’t be able to speak in any case so you will need to listen and practice the material. Speaking will not happen by itself.
What helped you the most to overcome the fear of speaking to others?
Once you have a big vocabulary it really helped me with confidence. In the beginning I was also too worried about getting the grammar perfect and if I didn’t know the exact way to say it, I would not say anything out of fear. But I later learned that the Germans will still understand you even if you make grammar mistakes and they appreciate it a lot if you at least try. Once I gained more confidence I started remembering all the words and all the grammar because I was not so nervous anymore.
What’s one piece of advice would you give to someone that wants to learn German but finds it hard to find the time due to his busy life?
The podcasts make it much easier to fit the study time into your daily life. I would definitely go slow at the beginning and try to never stop. Doesn’t matter how long it takes you will achieve your goal. Goals are also important to most people, maybe writing an exam after each level or finishing a level in a certain time period could be a goal that keeps you motivated.
“From Zero To C1 in 25 Minutes a Day” is my All-Inclusive, complete, step-by-step, no fuss, hassle free 75 Lessons online program (yes, only 15 lessons for each Module A1/A2/B1/B2/C1) for Busy Professionals like you, so you can go from scratch to become fluent and confident to join meetings with your colleagues, negotiate with your clients and give presentations in front of your bosses IN GERMAN. Even if you have a busy working schedule.
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