Elena is an expat living in Wiesbaden (Germany)
She works for FLSmidth Wiesbaden GmbH, as a Project Manager.
She started my online-program “From Zero to C1 in 25 Minutes a Day” at A2.
I told her that just completing my A2 Module would be enough to even pass a B1 exam and become more fluent and more confident with German.
She took my word for it and trusted the “From to Zero to C1” learning system.
In August last year, after completing my A2 Module and just a few more B1 lessons, she gave it a try and took the official B1 TELC exam.
She was able to pass it with an incredible 87% score in Speaking:
- Reading: 72,5/75 (97%)
- Listening: 65/75 (87%)
- Writing: 39,5/45 (88%)
- Speaking: 65/75 (87%)
Here’s a complete interview I did with her so you can learn from her journey going through my program.
Let’s jump right into it.
Elena,
What did you try before starting with my program “From Zero to C1”?
I tried conventional courses in Wiesbaden. And a number of online resources, like German pod101, DW course. The conventional courses did not fit my workload and at the same time, it was slow.
What was your biggest challenge you faced with learning German?
Well, I have been living and working in Germany for 3 years now. I work in English, French and Russian. So I was fine with not speaking German at work, my level of language was enough to buy food. In this way, I would say the major challenge was to accept continuous learning as needed and to start actually wanting to learn. In terms of technical approaches to learning, I have a pretty classical background in other languages grammar and do not share the idea of “difficult German grammar”. The most difficult part is to get closer to the understanding of how the speakers should think. I am still on the way though.
What kind of program were you looking for?
I needed a program, which would be oriented on the concise milestones in the grammar and direct examples of “how people say it”. As the more you get, the better you start to feel, how it should be said or written.
What was your goal when you started?
I needed to have a certificate B1 for the residential permit extension. Though a year ago that was pretty distant. It was more to try if I succeeded in liking the language, at least a bit.
What struck you the most the first time you came across my program?
One of my Facebook friends posted the link. I know that we are in the same situation in Germany and at the same education level. So I just jumped in. Started with the Verb-Juggling Podcasts; simple, clear, training. Nothing excessive.
What was the big difference between my program and the way you learned German before?
First, the approach is great. Two + podcast interviews in the beginning, listening to which you work your own way to the understanding. Then the vocabulary packages are at hand so you do not have to look for them elsewhere. My favorite though is the fluency stress test. For me it is utterly important to be translating from one language to another.
What are some of the results you’ve achieved so far going through my program?
As planned, with some schedule adjustments, due to the new world crisis, I passed the B1 exam with good results in 1 year of study. And as promised by Manuel: one may go to the exam after his A2 course. I confirm:). I did it at lesson 5 of B1
How did you prepare for your B1 exam?
Studying in general and preparing for a specific exam are two different things. So I bought a telc preparation book, followed the instructions in the book. So the main thing: looked in the grammar exercises, checked the difficulties, when needed looked elsewhere or in Manuel’s lessons, got sure, filled in the gaps, got sure. As to the writing part of the exam: it is important to write a number of letters, and memorise standard phrases. And I took a week to redo a selection of the Fluency tests from the “From Zero to C1” course.
How long did it take to prepare for your B1 exam?
On all and all, 2 weeks was the concentration time and I took 2 days off work just before the date, to read aloud and finalize the topics.
What was the most difficult part in the exam?
The exam in general was pretty easy. I would say, the writing part, despite being absolutely easy, took me 25 minutes of the allowed 30, while with the rest I used maybe 20% of the allocated time.
Which specific resources helped you the most along the way?
- Sites and magazines: https://www.deutsch-perfekt.com. They have interesting articles, ехcersises and good sites. And they have a special issue with a collection of articles (leicht & mittel): Deutschland verstehen. Great resource for oral topic preparation.
- Sites and magazines: https://www.dw.com/en/learn-german, here the same as above.
- Sites and magazines: https://www.dw.com/de/deutsch-lernen/deutsch-xxl/s-12376. Reading articles and watching reportages.
- Books: https://www.telc.net/en/candidates/exam-preparation.html
- Books: Klett. Deutsch intensiv Grammatik B1: Das Training
- Books: Hueber. Großes Übungsbuch Deutsch: Grammatik
How did you stay focused and motivated through the program?
I bet I cannot say I was steadily motivated. It had nothing to do with the program itself. Actually it was the program and the “easy-restart”, which was motivating as such. So all you need to do is, whatever happens, you exit your house in the morning, and instead of your usual playlists, you listen to the guys. It has become a new habit in a while. And what is good, I am choosing longer itineraries to get to the office, so to listen more, and obviously move more. And surely the reminder for Herr Professor, comes by email always on time: review the suggested techniques and get inspiration from the others. It does not always mean I go back to the already offered methods, but I do always keep them in mind. And yes, what works for me is looking around, and finding people who have already done something. Then look at yourself: he did it, I also can and will.
How did you manage to combine a full-time job and learning German on the side?
Listening while commuting (mornings) and doing housework. Exercises: twice or three times a week in the lunch pause or in the evening. Allocate time to spend, like 30-60 minutes with a subject, not a target to achieve. Regularity is more important than ticking out.
What did a typical daily learning routine look like?
I listen to the podcast about 4 days a week. 2-3 days a week I am doing exercises. 1 day a week I am not learning german at all.
So generally it is: podcast in the morning while commuting. I am doing a lesson in 2 weeks on the average. Lunch or in the evening: check grammar exercises on the new subject. Fluency test, I prefer doing it twice. 1st time — at the end of the first week, and 2nd time — at the end of the second week, just before clicking “next lesson”.
Words, I listen to the podcast. I write out the new ones. For me, mechanical writing is important for remembering stuff.
I use the memrise vocab packages from the program in general cases, when I am completely tired and cannot do anything else (which is usually hitting me on Thursdays). Or when I am on a trip and this is a perfect way to spend time by the gate.
I did the recommended “Traditional exercises” in the program. Fantastic thing they did to prepare for the exam step-by-step. At A2 I did all of the lessons. Now, since I can read more in German elsewhere, I do exercises when I feel not sure about the words or the subject. Surely, if I had more time, I would be doing them too.
How much time did you spend daily on average for your learning?
60-90 minutes 6 days a week (including general reading) and 1 day off any study.
What did you emphasize the most when learning?
I still believe writing and translating from the native language should be a part of the routine.
What was your biggest obstacle and how did you overcome it?
Resistance to the language as such and acceptance was the way.
What was the most important thing that helped you become more fluent in speaking?
I would say that speaking to yourself out loud about everything. It may sound crazy. Though when you speak to yourself, no one will be interrupting you to correct, or you will not feel uneasy, that you take your time (dictionary) to select a correct word.
What helped you the most to overcome the fear of speaking to others?
At the exam I truly was speaking better than my partners.
In life, well, when there is no way but to speak German, when there is no other way to be understood, then why be afraid?
What’s one piece of advice you would give to someone who wants to learn German but finds it hard to find the time due to his/her busy life?
Even 15 minutes a day will make a difference.
“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.
If you’d like to be added to the Waiting List of “From Zero to C1”, enter your information below, and you’ll be the first to know when I re-open the course.