In this week's episode of the Coffee Break German Travel Diaries, Karin and her family approach the Austrian border. They explore the new area and take in the nature around them before having some family fun on the Sommerrodelnbahn (summer toboggan on metal tracks). Listen out for an example of the pluperfect tense as well as the preposition bei. Los geht's! Travel Diaries will be published in one season of ten episodes weekly from 28th August. If you’d like to access lesson notes and a video ve...
Sep 18, 2020•26 min•Season 4Ep. 4
Join Karin, Johannes, Alex, and Janina in this week's episode of the Coffee Break German Travel Diaries as they continue their journey through the mountains, taking in the spectacular scenery along the way. In Episode 3, we're exploring the Wendelstein and the Wasserfall Tatzelwurm before relaxing by the Lagerfeuer (campfire) on the banks of the lake bei Sonnenuntergang (at sunset). As we enjoy the journey, Mark and Andrea review the language used in Karin’s travel diary, this time, focusing on ...
Sep 11, 2020•32 min•Season 4Ep. 3
We're back for the second episode of the Coffee Break German Travel Diaries! This time, we're accompanying Karin and her family on a hiking trip to explore the breathtaking Chiemgauer Alpen (Chiemgau Alps) before heading back on the road to drive towards the beautiful freshwater lake, Chiemsee . Listen out for lots of new vocabulary including the colloquialism Morgenmensch, and the noun, Vogelgezwitscher. Travel Diaries will be published in one season of ten episodes weekly from 28th August. If ...
Sep 04, 2020•27 min•Season 4Ep. 2
Welcome to this brand new series from Coffee Break German for intermediate learners. Following in the footsteps of our recent French and Italian Travel Diaries, we're now heading to Germany for the Coffee Break German Travel Diaries! Join Karin and her family on their road trip through the Alpenstraße with their Wohnmobil (camper van). In each episode of this 10-week series, Coffee Break German hosts, Mark and Andrea will be discussing Karin's travel diary entries, focusing on the interesting vo...
Aug 28, 2020•29 min•Season 4Ep. 1
We've reached the final episode in this season of the Coffee Break German Magazine. Join Andrea and Mark for one last time as they discuss Berlin's most famous street. We also hear from listener, Andrew who is looking for some tips on pronunciation. To finish, Olivera shares an impressively long word in German. In each episode of this 10-lesson season for intermediate learners you can build your vocabulary, increase your understanding of grammar and learn to use the German language in a more nat...
Jan 24, 2020•37 min•Season 3Ep. 10
Andrea, Olivera and Mark are back with a new episode of the Coffee Break German Magazine. This episode focuses on a famous German composer and his works. Our phone-in question from listener Anu deals with learning more than one language at a time, and Olivera's "long word in German" this week has no fewer than 46 letters! In each episode of this 10-lesson season for intermediate learners you can build your vocabulary, increase your understanding of grammar and learn to use the German language in...
Jan 10, 2020•44 min•Season 3Ep. 9
In this episode of the Coffee Break German Magazine we're heading to the Principality of Liechtenstein, sandwiched between Austria and Switzerland. Europe's fourth-smallest country it's one of only two doubly landlocked countries in the world (the other being Uzbekistan!) Find out more about this small German-speaking country and its 300th anniversary in this episode. In addition Olivera is back with another long German word. In each episode of this 10-lesson season for intermediate learners you...
Dec 06, 2019•43 min•Season 3Ep. 8
Have you heard the one about the donkey, the dog, the cat and the rooster? In this episode of the Coffee Break German Magazine we're finding out about the famous Town Musicians of Bremen. First published in Grimms' Fairy Tales in 1819, Die Bremer Stadmusikanten has become a key part of the cultural legacy of the German-speaking world. We'll also hear from listener Nick who wants to know more about the small but versatile word doch , and Olivera is back with another long German word. In each epis...
Nov 22, 2019•43 min•Season 3Ep. 7
In this latest episode of the Coffee Break German Magazine we're focusing on the author Michael Ende who wrote one of the most famous works of fiction for younger readers, the Neverending Story, among other books. Find out more about Ende and his work in this edition of the Magazine, and you can also learn about word order with the help of our question from listener Soumaya. In each episode of this 10-lesson season for intermediate learners you can build your vocabulary, increase your understand...
Nov 08, 2019•46 min•Season 3Ep. 6
For this episode we're heading to northern Switzerland, the location of the impressive Rheinfall waterfall. You'll learn all about this natural wonder and practise your German at the same time. Andrea also answers a question from listener Adebajo which concerns two very similar words: Zeichen and zeichnen . In each episode of this 10-lesson season for intermediate learners you can build your vocabulary, increase your understanding of grammar and learn to use the German language in a more natural...
Oct 25, 2019•37 min•Season 3Ep. 5
We have a musical episode of the Coffee Break German Magazine for you today: our theme is Schlager, an immensely popular style of music with catchy melodies and happy-go-lucky lyrics. Find out more about this cultural phenomenon, and learn about reflexive verbs and using the perfect or Präteritum with als . In each episode of this 10-lesson season for intermediate learners you can build your vocabulary, increase your understanding of grammar and learn to use the German language in a more natural...
Oct 11, 2019•40 min•Season 3Ep. 4
Following the events of World War 2, the monumental task of clearing and reconstructing towns and cities fell to the Trümmerfrauen , literally "rubble women". In this episode of the Coffee Break German Magazine we'll look at this fascinating period of German history. In the other segments of the show, Andrea answers listener Maddie's question about compound words, and Olivera introduces an interesting idiomatic expression in the Sahnehäubchen . In each episode of this 10-lesson season for interm...
Sep 27, 2019•46 min•Season 3Ep. 3
In episode 2 of the Coffee Break German we're heading to the Austrian capital, Vienna, where the world-famous Wiener Prater is to be found. This former hunting ground has become the hub of entertainment for Viennese families. As usual Mark and Andrea will be discussing the language featured in our text, and there's also a question from listener Rena who is looking for advice on how to help her daughter learn German. In each episode of this 10-lesson season for intermediate learners you can build...
Sep 13, 2019•42 min•Season 3Ep. 2
The Coffee Break German team is back with a new series, the Coffee Break German Magazine. In each episode of this 10-lesson season for intermediate learners you can build your vocabulary, increase your understanding of grammar and learn to use the German language in a more natural way. This series follows on from Seasons 1 and 2 of Coffee Break German. In the first episode of the series we'll be focusing on a very important part of life in most German-speaking areas: Sunday night in front of the...
Aug 30, 2019•38 min•Season 3Ep. 1
Coming in August 2019, the Coffee Break German Magazine will help you build your understanding of intermediate German. In each episode of the Coffee Break German Magazine you'll pick up new vocabulary, hear further examples of grammar points you already know, and learn new grammar through the discussions in each episode with teacher Andrea and learner Mark. We also need your help! In each episode of the Magazine we'll be including a question from a listener. To send us your question, head to cof...
Jul 01, 2019•7 min
It's time for the final lesson in our series, and the last instalment of our soap opera. Listen to the lesson to find out what comes of our friends in the Wohngemeinschaft, and whether Phillip and Hanna ever get together! As usual, the episode is rich in complex German and Andrea is on hand to help you understand everything. We hope you've enjoyed this series! This season of Coffee Break German features a total of 40 episodes, published every two weeks. Lessons 21-40 will be published during 201...
Jan 21, 2019•28 min•Season 2Ep. 40
We're back with another episode of Coffee Break German, the penultimate lesson of this season, and the penultimate instalment of our soap opera. This week Carola and Hanna are stressed about their exam preparation and enlist the help of their friend Sybille. Carola also has some words of wisdom to share with Hanna following the latest meeting with Phillip and Alex. As usual, this episode provides plenty of opportunities to investigate interesting language, including some tricky aspects of gramma...
Jan 07, 2019•26 min•Season 2Ep. 39
In this latest episode of Coffee Break German, Alex has to deal with a break-in at the Pub this week and is being interviewed by a police officer. This gives us the opportunity to hear a different style of German, and we'll also be looking at the verb werden in detail. As usual, Andrea is on hand to explain everything. This season of Coffee Break German features a total of 40 episodes, published every two weeks. Lessons 21-40 will be published during 2018. Stay subscribed to the podcast to enjoy...
Dec 11, 2018•30 min•Season 2Ep. 38
It's time for another episode of Coffee Break German, and another instalment of our soap opera. This time we're joining Carol, Miriam and Philip at the party where Philip is hoping to get to know Hanna a bit better. But will the arrival of Alex put a spanner in the works? As ever, the episode provides lots of opportunities to experience new and interesting vocabulary and grammar points in German, and Andrea guides us through any difficult language included. This season of Coffee Break German fea...
Nov 26, 2018•22 min•Season 2Ep. 37
In our latest episode of Coffee Break German we're continuing our soap opera and joining Carola, Hanna and Miriam on a shopping trip. The dialogues provide an opportunity to look closely at a number of interesting language points, including the use of adjectives as nouns and the use of nouns as verbs! Andrea is on hand to explain everything to Mark and to our learners. This season of Coffee Break German features a total of 40 episodes, published every two weeks. Lessons 21-40 will be published d...
Nov 15, 2018•30 min•Season 2Ep. 36
In this episode of Coffee Break German, the flatmates in our Wohngemeinschaft are organising a party for Carola's birthday and they're looking for the perfect location to hold the party. As usual, Andrea is on hand to help Mark and you understand everything in the conversation. This season of Coffee Break German features a total of 40 episodes, published every two weeks. Lessons 21-40 will be published during 2018. Stay subscribed to the podcast to enjoy each episode. If you'd like to benefit fr...
Oct 29, 2018•27 min•Season 2Ep. 35
In the latest instalment of our soap opera Carola, Miriam and Phillip receive an important letter and have to decide what to do in response. This episode will allow us to experience a more formal type of written German, and Andrea is on hand to explain everything to Mark and to our listeners. This season of Coffee Break German features a total of 40 episodes, published every two weeks. Lessons 21-40 will be published during 2018. Stay subscribed to the podcast to enjoy each episode. If you'd lik...
Oct 15, 2018•27 min•Season 2Ep. 34
In this lesson you'll listen to the latest instalment of our soap opera in which we get to know a new character, Carola's friend Hannah. She and Phillip hit it off immediately. Andrea is on hand to help Mark - and you - understand the tricky aspects of the language contained in this episode. This season of Coffee Break German features a total of 40 episodes, published every two weeks. Lessons 21-40 will be published during 2018. Stay subscribed to the podcast to enjoy each episode. If you'd like...
Oct 01, 2018•25 min•Season 2Ep. 33
In lesson 32 of Coffee Break German Season 2, you'll listen to the next instalment of our soap opera. In this episode Phillip is looking for a part-time job and Miriam suggests that he tries to find a job in a local pub. We also meet Alex who works in the pub. Having listened to the radio play, you'll hear Mark and Andrea discuss the language featured. This season of Coffee Break German features a total of 40 episodes, published every two weeks. Lessons 21-40 will be published during 2018. Stay ...
Sep 17, 2018•22 min•Season 2Ep. 32
In lesson 31 of Coffee Break German Season 2, Andrea and Mark present the first episode of our radio play. You'll meet the characters Miriam, Carola and Phillip who are sharing a flat together in Munich. Having listened to the radio play you'll then hear Mark and Andrea talk about the language featured in the episode. This season of Coffee Break German features a total of 40 episodes, published every two weeks. Lessons 21-40 will be published during 2018. Stay subscribed to the podcast to enjoy ...
Sep 04, 2018•25 min•Season 2Ep. 31
Welcome to the 30th lesson in the season and it's time for some review. You won't believe how much you've learned in lessons 21-29, and in this episode Andrea and Mark will be reviewing topics such as Wechselpräpositionen, relative pronouns, modal verbs, and much more! This season of Coffee Break German features a total of 40 episodes, published every two weeks. Lessons 21-40 will be published during 2018. Stay subscribed to the podcast to enjoy each episode. If you'd like to benefit from lesson...
May 28, 2018•42 min•Season 2Ep. 30
Coffee Break German Season 2 is all about helping you "tighten up" your German, and this episode addresses one of the trickiest aspects of German for learners. You're already familiar with prepositions, and you're already familiar with the accusative and dative case, but did you know that there is a group of prepositions which can take the accusative OR the dative, depending on the situation? By the end of this lesson all will become clear and you'll be able to make the correct decision every ti...
May 14, 2018•37 min•Season 2Ep. 29
Coffee Break German is the course which teaches you German. Andrea is the teacher who helps Mark learn. You are the student who is learning along with Mark, and this is the lesson in which you'll learn all about relative pronouns in German! We'll learn how to use relative pronouns to combine two clauses together and how relative pronouns work with different genders and cases. All will become clear! This season of Coffee Break German features a tota...
Apr 23, 2018•36 min•Season 2Ep. 28
In this lesson we're dealing with what, on the surface, seems like a tricky topic: the use of the verb sollen . We'll learn to use the verb in the Present and Präteritum, and we'll learn about the subtle differences of using each tense. Sollen is used to say what someone "should do", or "ought to do", and the key question involves whether or not you're being given advice, a suggestion is being made, or indeed you've already been given orders by someone else (e.g. doctor, teache...
Apr 16, 2018•26 min•Season 2Ep. 27
In this lesson we're tackling a tricky subject for learners of German: word order. In particular we're looking at where adverbs come "inside the Verbklammer". For this we'll be introducing you to a new concept: "Tekamolo". All will become clear in this lesson. This season of Coffee Break German features a total of 40 episodes, published every two weeks. Lessons 21-40 will be published during 2018. Stay subscribed to the podcast to enjoy each episode. If you'd like to benefit from lesson notes, b...
Mar 21, 2018•29 min•Season 2Ep. 26
