Preston is a semi-retired Dentist from Benton, Arkansas working at the Arkansas Health Center.
At first, Preston had a lot of doubts about learning German at his age and signing up for my course:
“My major challenge was my age. I am semi-retired, and I had read and heard that people in their sixties and seventies have a difficult time learning new facts and concepts. I was also told that not only the learning would be difficult for me, but actually retaining what I’d learned would be a problem. For those reasons I almost didn’t sign up for this course.“
But he gave it a try and started my program “From Zero to C1 in 25 Minutes a Day” at A1.
My program offered him a structured learning system that he could easily integrate into his 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.
He was able to pass the exam with an incredible 97% score in Speaking and 100% in Writing and proof to himself, that learning a language can even be done at an older age:
“I was told someone my age could no longer do something like this, but I’m proof that it can most definitely be done.“
- Reading: 87/100 (87%)
- Listening: 60/100 (60%)
- Writing: 100/100 (100%)
- Speaking: 97/100 (97%)
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.
Preston,
What did you try before starting with my program “From Zero to C1”?
I have never taken an actual German class, as in a classroom setting. Thirty years ago I took a very casual conversational German course. It was one hour a week, and there were no books and very little actual instruction. More recently, a couple of years ago I took an online German course from a well-known language learning company. I knew when I finished it that I couldn’t really speak much of the language.
What was your biggest challenge you faced with learning German?
My major challenge was my age. I am semi-retired, and I had read and heard that people in their sixties and seventies have a difficult time learning new facts and concepts. I was also told that not only the learning would be difficult for me, but actually retaining what I’d learned would be a problem. For those reasons I almost didn’t sign up for this course. I found as I began to progress through the first lessons, I probably don’t absorb everything quite as quickly as I did earlier in life. However, this turned out not to be a problem at all for me. I could see that this course was definitely doable. Another good thing is that this course repeats every new concept and builds on everything you’ve previously learned. The fact that there is this repetition helped me retain what I’d learned in the lessons before.
What kind of program were you looking for and what was your goal when you started?
I was simply looking for a program that would help me speak the language well enough to communicate with Germans in everyday conversations. I was not interested in learning to read difficult publications in German, or to be able to interpret every word in a television news broadcast. And I guess I accomplished exactly what I had set out to do. I just passed my Goethe B1 examination, which means I can get by very well in most situations with native speakers “on street level.”
What struck you the most the first time you came across my program?
I was intrigued by this program because it sounded like something I could excel at. I liked the idea that each lesson consisted of several parts, and that you could take a little test at the end of each lesson to let you know if you needed to go back and review any of the parts. Also, the testimonials of the students struck me as genuine. (At my age, it’s pretty hard to pull the wool over my eyes).
What was the big difference between my program and the way you learned German before?
I was impressed from the beginning about how well everything was explained. Each lesson had the new concepts and new vocabulary written out and discussed, but there were also multiple choice ‘games,’ and even conversations with other students who were at exactly the same level as you are at that point. In these conversations the concepts were discussed in detail, and it was explained how they could be used in conversation. During these conversations the students asked questions about what they were learning, and the ‘professor’ would explain everything again – in detail.
Another big difference from previous programs was that if I had a question about anything at all, I could just join live Q&A calls on a weekly basis or I just emailed the professor, and I always received a reply (and a detailed answer) within a day. This ‘personal touch’ is something that is really unique.
What are some of the results you’ve achieved so far going through my program?
As I stated, I recently passed the Goethe B1 exam (including a 97 on the speaking section and a 100 on the writing section). I also have a lot more confidence speaking to people here in the US that are from Germany.
How did you prepare for your B1 exam?
In addition to “From Zero to C1” I took Herr Professor’s “Pass Your Official Exam” course on how to pass the B1 exam. I also acquired (from the Internet) some practice exams and a book of old B1 exams. I also had a couple of sessions with the professor’s assistant Dan, which were extremely helpful.
How long did it take to prepare for your B1 exam?
I probably studied three months in preparation for it.
What was the most difficult part in the exam?
The most difficult part of the exam for me was definitely the listening part. I am a visual learner, so the learning and preparation for the listening section was more of a challenge for me.
Which specific resources helped you the most along the way?
As I stated, studying old exams and practice exams I got off the Internet.
How did you stay focused and motivated through the program?
I stayed motivated because the way the lessons are presented, it’s actually fun. I’ve finished A1, A2, and B1, and I’ve never felt like it was a drudgery, or anything I had to do. It has seriously been enjoyable.
How did you manage to combine a full-time job and learning German on the side?
There were days I was busy with other obligations, but I made the time to do a little studying almost every day.
What did a typical daily learning routine look like?
I never had a ‘typical day.’’ I just did the learning when I could fit it in. Being semi-retired, I have more time ‘slots’ to commit to studying.
How much time did you spend daily on average for your learning?
From no time studying (if I absolutely couldn’t work it in), to up to an hour.
What did you emphasize the most when learning?
I mainly emphasized the learning concepts, trying to be sure I could actually “say” the phrases and understand the how and the why.
What was your biggest obstacle and how did you overcome it?
I didn’t really have an obstacle. For busier people, I’m sure the time would be a potential obstacle. But as with most things in life, if you have a passion for something and you really want to get it accomplished, you usually find the time.
What was the most important thing that helped you become more fluent in speaking?
The detailed way the lessons in this program are laid out.
Also, it was a great help that there are conversions in each lesson the professor had with other students at exactly that level. In those conversations they not only discuss the concepts from that particular lesson, they talk about how you would say a lot of things that are not part of the lesson – how you’d express an idea or a question in a conversation with a German.
What helped you the most to overcome the fear of speaking to others?
I’m much more confident in speaking because I can tell how much I’ve improved in my ability to make conversation. Now I can usually express most of what I want to say.
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?
I’d tell them that if they want to learn to actually be able to speak German, this course is something they should seriously consider. It is laid out so effectively and efficiently.
Another bit of advice would be that you really need to make a commitment to learning it. I had for years wanted to be able to speak German, and when this course came along, I decided I was going to dedicate myself to being successful. I was told someone my age could no longer do something like this, but I’m proof that it can most definitely be done.
“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.