How Firouz Went from “not finding the time as a working professional” To Passing His B1 ÖIF Exam With a 100% Score in Speaking

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.

Firouz,

What did you try before starting with my program “From Zero to C1”?

Before settling in Austria, I actually did not study the language, so I was not exposed to the nuances and intricacies of learning this language in a language school.

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What was your biggest challenge you faced with learning German?

My biggest challenge in learning German as a working professional was (and, in fact still is) finding time as an adult to incorporate the lessons into my daily routine.

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What kind of program were you looking for?

I was on the lookout for a “step-by-step” individual program, which would allow me to study at the times convenient to me (given my professional workload), but also importantly a program that would allow me to speak from day one. The program had to address the following tasks: (1) guide me through the German grammar effectively (and ideally in a fun manner), (2) expand on my vocabulary usage, and (3) most importantly have the “daily used German” component to practice it in real life.

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What was your goal when you started?

My goal(s) were initially: at least to be able to read and pronounce German words correctly, and then understand what is being said around me. Of course, I also aimed at taking B1/B2 official exams down the road.

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What struck you the most the first time you came across my program?

I liked Manuel´s approach to teaching, which puts the priority on speaking from day one, for example his “verb juggling” initiative. This puts you automatically ahead of the game of expressing yourself. The program’s structure is that one can expand on improving the knowledge of German language even when “on the move” – when one cooks, rides a bicycle, or takes a shower etc.

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What was the big difference between my program and the way you learned German before?

I was lucky to come across Manuel´s program before I tried any traditional language courses. I find that in the traditional class learning could become quite routine, especially if the teacher is not so engaged. Also, with many students one may not always be accountable for individual progress. Manuel´s program keeps you accountable and he even has an episode to keep you motivated.
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What are some of the results you’ve achieved so far going through my program?

I passed the B1 official exam in Austria with 100% in speaking.

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How did you prepare for your B1 exam?

I reaped the rewards of disciplined learning by going through Manuel’s program of A2 and B1 modules step by step. I also tried to take some sample tests closer to the test date.

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How long did it take to prepare for your B1 exam?

It took me about 3-4 months to get ready for the B1 exam. Please also note that mastering the A2 module took the same amount of time for me.

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What was the most difficult part in the exam?

For me personally, mistake free writing was and remains the most difficult part in German. I guess it gets better with time as you read more German content.

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Which specific resources helped you the most along the way?

I recommend reading German, for me it always has been Deutsch Perfekt magazine. I also recommend watching videos on Youtube such as EasyGerman with subtitles.

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How did you stay focused and motivated through the program?

Learning a language is “not a sprint but rather a marathon”. As such, anything that makes learning fun will help you stay focused and motivated. For me, the motivation has always been being able to express myself using Deutsch freely without thinking much. I listen to music, podcasts, or ZDF Magazine Royal to stay motivated – hint: it does not have to be only in German ;)

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How did you manage to combine a full-time job and learning German on the side?

I would find time each day in my schedule – usually 20-25 minutes, ideally the same time, to focus on studying only German. No excuses 🙂 For the avoidance of doubt, I am still on the journey of knowledge of learning this wonderful language otherwise I would give this interview in Deutsch.

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What did you emphasize the most when learning?

I emphasized the grammar and the vocabulary, in particular.

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What was your biggest obstacle and how did you overcome it?

My biggest challenge remains using the language in daily life to succinctly and eloquently express myself. But I remain persistent as there is no failure in no longer trying – at the end of the day, this is the fifth language I speak. As Mark Twain famously said: “Never knew before what eternity was made for. It is to give some of us a chance to learn German”.

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What was the most important thing that helped you become more fluent in speaking?

Trying to speak from day one without the fear of making mistakes.

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What helped you the most to overcome the fear of speaking to others?

Have no shame. It is most likely that German is not the second or even third language you already speak, so always try using it. We learn the language to speak it, remember it! Make note of errors you make to correct them, but do not let laughs and funny looks stop you from practicing and getting better each day.

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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?

Aller Anfang ist schwer. Aber Übung macht den Meister!