Monday, April 21st
2025 German Lesson Reviews
German Pod 101
- From $4 to $23 per month
- Free account includes first three lessons in each pathway
- Premium Plus includes one-on-one teacher access
- New users can try Premium for $1 for the first 30 days
- 60-day money-back guarantee
- End-of-course diagnostic tests
- Lessons are translated into English
- Vocabulary lists and lesson notes provided
- Downloadable and printable lessons
GermanPod101 is an online program for learning German, offering audio and text-based lessons for all levels. They offer three subscription levels starting at $4 a month, but be aware that you have to pay for two years upfront. However, GermanPod101 has problems. Lesson notes are disorganized and grammar is poorly explained, if at all. One speaker has a strong American accent and stumbles over German words. We recommend you take your German lessons somewhere else.
From $4 to $23 a month
GermanPod101 offers three subscription levels:
- Basic Plan: $4 per month
- Premium Plan: $10 per month
- Premium Plus Plan: $23 per month
However, there is some fine print: no matter which subscription you choose, you have to pay for 24 months at once. Suddenly, $4 a month doesn't feel so affordable.
Premium Plus comes with a personal teacher
If you pick the Basic Plan for $4 a month, you get to access all lessons and notes, along with full access to audio archives on your Android, iPhone, or iPad. This plan also lets you print out lesson notes easily and download lessons with one click. If you go for the Premium Plan at $10 a month, you get everything from the Basic Plan plus extras like audio dialogues line by line, special lesson tracks, your own word bank, flashcards for spaced repetition study, and assessments with multiple choices. If you want a more personalized learning, the Premium Plus Plan at $23 a month gets you all the features of the Premium Plan, plus you can access a teacher one-on-one, get your assessments graded by hand, and also get help and personalized assessments for practicing your writing and pronunciation.
Get Premium for $1
Heads up - there's a special offer for new users. You can get 30 days of Premium access for only $1. This includes 60 lessons, a complimentary product download, and a 7-day accelerated fluency course. However, this offer only appears immediately after you create your free account. If you miss it, you'll need to register again with a different email address.
60-day money back guarantee
Not happy with your subscription? No problem. Email GermanPod101's customer service. They'll give you your money back within 60 days, no questions asked.
Free account gives you first 3 lessons in each pathway
After signing up, you can select your proficiency level, ranging from absolute beginner to advanced learner. With a free lifetime account, the first three lessons in each learning pathway will be accessible. New lessons will be added on a weekly basis. Additional resources include the German Word of the Day, a list of the top 100 German words, and various vocabulary and phrase lists. A pathway dedicated to survival phrases is also available.
Test out of courses
Diagnostic tests are given at the end of each course to see how much you have learned. You don't need to know all the answers - just pick the "I'm not sure” option. If you do really well and score 90 percent or more, you can either go straight to the next test or start learning the next lesson. If you're a PremiumPLUS student, your teacher can suggest lessons based on how you did on the test. (This seems like something that could easily be automated, though.)
Lessons notes are unnecessarily ambiguous
The lessons include a dialogue in German between two speakers, which is then translated into English. They also provide a vocabulary list and lesson notes. However, we found the notes to be somewhat disorganized. For instance, in one lesson, the author attempts to explain a confusing aspect of German compound nouns - specifically, the inconsistency in shortening the prefix word of a compound noun: I'm not sure if you noticed, but we saw both "Sprach-" and "Sprachen-" as a prefix in this lesson. This is one of the annoying things about German compound nouns - there is no good reason for it to be "Sprachtandem" but "Sprachenaustausch"? First of all, why does an instructional note end in a question? (Who's the teacher here, anyway?) But, since GermanPod101 asked, we might as well answer. It isn't true that there's "no good reason” for the shortening of the "Sprachen-” prefix. "Sprachtandem" may use "Sprach-" to refer to a partnership involving language in general (or just one language), while "Sprachenaustausch" may use "Sprachen-" to connote the exchange involving more than one language. It wasn't hard for us to find the answer to this question, which raises questions about the effort put into creating these German lessons.
German pronunciation is poor
We're not off to a great start with GermanPod101. Unfortunately, it only gets worse. When we listened to the dialogue between the two German speakers, we discovered that only one of them has proper German pronunciation: it sounds like a native speaker and an American reading off a script. Apparently, he's an American employee of GermanPod101 named Chuck who lives and works in Germany. On the word "üben”, he completely misses the umlaut and pronounces it like "uben”. He also can't seem to hit that "ch” sound, and invariably he pronounces the "r” at the ends of words the rounded American way. We also found instances where he totally skips over words, changing the meaning of the sentences. Why would you risk teaching people how to speak German with a noticeable American accent?!
GermanPod101 not up to par
That brings our review of GermanPod101 to a screeching halt. It doesn't make much of a difference that you can jump around in the lessons according to your interest, that you can download and print out transcripts, or that the scenarios in the audio lessons can be entertaining - if the pronunciation is just flat-out wrong and the author of the lessons isn't capable of explaining the logic of German grammar. We would recommend you look for German lessons somewhere other than GermanPod101.
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Where Can You Find the Best German Lessons?
Learning a language opens doors to new possibilities, and German is no exception. The trend of learning German online has gained traction globally due to the convenience, adaptability, and diversity of available resources. Want to learn German online? There's a plethora of options to suit your learning preferences.
Whether you're fascinated by Germany's picturesque architecture, interested in its robust engineering and philosophical legacy, a fan of its classical music and literature, seeking to reconnect with your family roots, or interested in job opportunities in the country with the largest economy in Europe, studying German can enhance your life.
German Lesson FAQ
Continued from above...
When comparing German to English, there are several unique challenges you might face. German is notorious for its long compound words, but it also has a high degree of phonetic consistency, which can simplify pronunciation for beginners. However, German grammar won't be so easy to conquer, thanks to three genders for nouns, four cases, and seemingly endless verb conjugations. But, the precision of German, with its structured syntax and the rhythm of its sentences, offers a distinctive learning curve that can be immensely rewarding to master.
If you're an auditory learner and thrive on hearing how German sounds, there are specialized programs designed for that. These help you familiarize yourself with the language's intonation and pronunciation. And if you enjoy interactive learning, there are engaging platforms where you can acquire new vocabulary and grammar through games, competing against other learners and earning rewards as you progress.
If you prefer a structured learning approach, there are courses that integrate video lessons, quizzes, and even writing exercises. This helps you improve your reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills in German, all of which are required to reach fluency.
Prefer real-time interaction? You can connect with native German speakers via tutoring services. This is an excellent way to learn the practical usage of the language and gain deeper insights into German culture.
Not sure where to begin? Consider these factors as you explore your options:
- Your starting point. Are you a complete beginner or do you have some knowledge of German already? Choose lessons that correspond to your current level. If you already know some German, you might want to look for a course with a placement test.
- How you like to learn. Do you prefer gamified apps, audio lessons to listen to while commuting, or text-heavy learning? Select a method that fits your lifestyle and learning preferences.
- Different German dialects. Most online German lessons will teach High German, but some may include regional dialects like Austrian German, which has a distinct pronunciation and vocabulary nuances. While Germany has a diversity of dialects, High German remains the standard in educational and official communications throughout Germany, Austria, and other German-speaking areas.
- Cost. Options range from free to paid subscriptions or one-time fees. Consider what you're willing to invest and what you gain from both free and paid lessons.
- What other learners say. Checking reviews from past users can provide insights into how effective the lessons are and how quickly you might progress. You'll also want to know if there are any glitches with apps or software before you buy.
To guide you to the best German lessons that match your goals and preferred learning style, our team at Top Consumer Reviews has reviewed today's top offerings and provided candid feedback on what each provides. So, why wait? Begin learning German today!
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