GermanPod101: Our Honest Review

GermanPod101: Our Honest Review

GermanPod101: Our Honest Review

https://www.germanpod101.com/member/go.php?r=800172&l=%2F


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With a dizzying array of available options, it can be hard to tell what the best online German course is. One of the most popular audio resources, especially for beginner and intermediate learners, is GermanPod101. But is this the right German course for you, and does it deliver on its promises? We asked our reviewer, Jessie, to sign up to the product for a week and see if she thought it lived up to the hype. Here is her detailed analysis:

WHAT IS GERMANPOD101

WHAT IS GERMANPOD101

GermanPod101 is an online learning system for students of German.  It has been designed to supplement textbook courses, such as the excellent Everything Learning German Book, particularly as a means of improving listening comprehension.

The program is primarily made up of an enormous collection of professionally-produced audio and video lessons, each one presented by a native speaker.  The clips and their accompanying transcripts and lesson notes are all completely downloadable, so you can practise whenever you want on any device.

Audio lesson for GermanPod101

Other features include:

  • Thematic vocabulary lists
  • Spaced repetition flashcards
  • Common word lists
  • A grammar bank
  • A searchable dictionary.

You have the option of choosing a personal German teacher (with the Premium+ package) who will create a tailored learning plan based on your strengths and weaknesses.  You can then message your teacher whenever you like with any language-related questions.

This way you won't need to waste your valuable iTalki lessons on any irritating grammar problems that come up - instead you'll be able to focus purely on conversation practice!

WHO SHOULD GET THIS

WHO SHOULD GET THIS

We believe that beginner and intermediate learners should consider getting GermanPod101.

Although there are lessons for advanced learners, they are not as plentiful or as useful as the grammatical explanations and role-play videos that can be found in the lower levels of the website.  If you think that you are above B2 level in the CEFR scale, then we suggest that you have a look for other listening resources.  But if you haven’t reached that level yet, GermanPod101 will almost certainly be of use to you.

It is a particularly suitable choice if:

You are a working adult with little spare time – each lesson is around 10-15 minutes long, allowing you to easily fit your learning into spare moments in your day

You want a structured approach - the lesson pathways provide you with a tried-and-tested framework for steady progression

You enjoy visually engaging content – grammar and textbooks are essential to achieving fluency, but if you feel that an immersive listening course would benefit you, GermanPod101 is the right product for you

You are a working adult with little spare time – each lesson is around 10-15 minutes long, allowing you to easily fit your learning into spare moments in your day

You want a structured approach - the lesson pathways provide you with a tried-and-tested framework for steady progression

You enjoy visually engaging content – grammar and textbooks are essential to achieving fluency, but if you feel that an immersive listening course would benefit you, GermanPod101 is the right product for you

Interested?
Read on to discover all of the tools and features that you get inside GermanPod101!

MAIN FEATURES

MAIN FEATURES

The GermanPod101 dashboard can appear quite confusing at first.  There are a large number of tools and materials on display, and you may not know where to begin.  In actual fact, the website’s layout is very user-friendly once you get used to it, and each section is neatly organised for you to find your way around easily. 

Main dashboard for GermanPod101

We thought it would be useful to fully explain what each part of the website looks like and what you can expect to gain from them:

AUDIO/VIDEO LESSONS

This is the core of GermanPod101’s learning program: several thousand podcast-style lessons covering an enormous range of topics – grammatical explanations, role-play dialogues, thematically-grouped vocabulary, pronunciation tips, and many more.

We really like that are lots of lessons that cover the cultural aspects of learning German – it’s no good just having a firm linguistic grasp of the language if you don’t understand anything about the people that speak it!

If the prospect of sifting your way through thousands of video lessons sounds overwhelming, don’t worry!  The lessons are divided up into Sections and Pathways (all filterable by media type and skill) so that you’re able to find exactly what you need:

Choose Level
  1. Choose your Level – This is self-explanatory, with each level roughly adhering to the CEFR scale (although the “Advanced” level is really closer to upper-intermediate difficulty).

    We like that there are plenty of lessons for intermediate students, as most online German courses tend to focus solely on beginner lessons.

Orange Chalk Arrow Vertical
 
Choose Level
  1. Choose your Level – This is self-explanatory, with each level roughly adhering to the CEFR scale (although the “Advanced” level is really closer to upper-intermediate difficulty).

    We like that there are plenty of lessons for intermediate students, as most online German courses tend to focus solely on beginner lessons.

Orange Chalk Arrow Vertical
Beginner's pathway GermanPod101
  1. Choose the Pathway – Pathways are groups of similar lessons.

    So, for example, the “Introduction to German” pathway is made up of five short lessons that give the viewer a brief overview of German pronunciation, grammar, and writing.  The “Speaking Perfect German at a Restaurant” pathway, on the other hand, contains 24 longer lessons that go through some practical vocabulary exercises

Orange Chalk Arrow Vertical
 
Beginner's pathway GermanPod101
  1. Choose the Pathway – Pathways are groups of similar lessons.

    So, for example, the “Introduction to German” pathway is made up of five short lessons that give the viewer a brief overview of Russian pronunciation, grammar, and writing.  The “Speaking Perfect German at the Restaurant” pathway, on the other hand, contains 20 longer lessons that go through the alphabet in detail

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Beginner's lesson GermanPod101
  1. Choose the lesson – At this point you can watch the video clip and then work through the accompanying written exercises, or you can download all of the material to go through at a more convenient time.

    The ability of tick-off each lesson in the checklist once you have mastered its content is useful for keeping track of your progress.

Beginner's lesson GermanPod101
  1. Choose the lesson – At this point you can watch the video clip and then work through the accompanying written exercises, or you can download all of the material to go through at a more convenient time.

    The ability of tick-off each lesson in the checklist once you have mastered its content is useful for keeping track of your progress.

What’s nice about this system is that you are able to jump about in between different pathways and different levels (perhaps your grammar stronger than your listening skills – in which case you would benefit from more advanced grammar lessons).  Other products often force you down a linear learning path which can be frustrating as certain skills develop faster than others.

But what does the average GermanPod101 lesson actually involve? Here we show you what an average lesson looks like:

Learn German in Three Minutes #7 – Fruit and Vegetables in German

Video clip of GermanPod101 lesson

Each lesson begins with an audio/video clip featuring a member of the GermanPod101 staff.  Some of the clips are better than others, and, likewise, some of the presenters are more engaging than others.  But the general quality and professionalism of the videos is very high – much higher than what you would get from your average YouTube channel. 


The lessons are challenging, and to make progress you will need to pay close attention to the video.  A good technique is to listen to the clip the entire way through and then to go through the key vocabulary which is located below the video player, filling in any gaps in your knowledge.  Listen to the clip again…

Key vocabulary for a Germanpod101 lesson

Transcript of video lesson GermanPod101

…and if you still find you’re missing important information read the full transcript which can be found towards the bottom of the page.  By only using the assistance as and when you need it, you’re listening abilities will increase rapidly!


You can also look at the summarised lesson notes.  These are wonderfully concise and clear – you honestly won’t find better grammatical explanations in any of the textbooks on the market.  Although they aren’t as prominently displayed on the website, you should spend as much time studying these notes as you do watching the video content.

Grammar review notes GermanPod101

Teachers help by commenting on GermanPod101 lessons

If you have any questions that the lesson content has not answered you can simply ask in the comments section.  We found that a member of staff will usually get back to you within a few hours or so.

And Remember
Everything here can be downloaded onto your device for no extra fee!

Learn German in Three Minutes #14 – Fruit and Vegetables in German

Video clip of GermanPod101 lesson

Each lesson begins with an audio/video clip featuring a member of the GermanPod101 staff.  Some of the clips are better than others, and, likewise, some of the presenters are more engaging than others.  But the general quality and professionalism of the videos is very high – much higher than what you would get from your average YouTube channel. 


The lessons are challenging, and to make progress you will need to pay close attention to the video.  A good technique is to listen to the clip the entire way through and then to go through the key vocabulary which is located below the video player, filling in any gaps in your knowledge.  Listen to the clip again…

Key vocabulary for a Germanpod101 lesson

Transcript of video lesson GermanPod101

…and if you still find you’re missing important information read the full transcript which can be found towards the bottom of the page.  By only using the assistance as and when you need it, you’re listening abilities will increase rapidly!


You can also look at the summarised lesson notes.  These are wonderfully concise and clear – you honestly won’t find better grammatical explanations in any of the textbooks on the market.  Although they aren’t as prominently displayed on the website, you should spend as much time studying these notes as you do watching the video content.

Grammar review notes GermanPod101

Teachers help by commenting on GermanPod101 lessons

If you have any questions that the lesson content has not answered you can simply ask in the comments section.  We found that a member of staff will usually get back to you within a few hours or so.

And Remember
Everything here can be downloaded onto your device for no extra fee!

Learn German in Three Minutes #14 – Fruit and Vegetables

Video clip of GermanPod101 lesson

Each lesson begins with an audio/video clip featuring a member of the GermanPod101 staff.  Some of the clips are better than others, and, likewise, some of the presenters are more engaging than others.  But the general quality and professionalism of the videos is very high – much higher than what you would get from your average YouTube channel. 


The lessons are challenging, and to make progress you will need to pay close attention to the video.  A good technique is to listen to the clip the entire way through and then to go through the key vocabulary which is located below the video player, filling in any gaps in your knowledge.  Listen to the clip again…

Key vocabulary for a Germanpod101 lesson

Transcript of video lesson GermanPod101

…and if you still find you’re missing important information read the full transcript which can be found towards the bottom of the page.  By only using the assistance as and when you need it, you’re listening abilities will increase rapidly!


You can also look at the summarised lesson notes.  These are wonderfully concise and clear – you honestly won’t find better grammatical explanations in any of the textbooks on the market.  Although they aren’t as prominently displayed on the website, you should spend as much time studying these notes as you do watching the video content.

Grammar review notes GermanPod101

Teachers help by commenting on GermanPod101 lessons

If you have any questions that the lesson content has not answered you can simply ask in the comments section.  We found that a member of staff will usually get back to you within a few hours or so.

And Remember
Everything here can be downloaded onto your device for no extra fee!

GRAMMAR BANK

Some older reviews have criticised GermanPod101 for not dedicating enough of their content to grammar.  German grammar is notoriously complex, with a great deal of quirks and irregularities, so this was a major flaw in the program.

However, we can happily report that GermanPod101 has taken this feedback fully on board and has responded by creating sizeable Grammar Bank, as well as adding a number of grammar-dedicated lesson pathways.

Searchable grammar bank GermanPod101

As you can see, there are a plenty of topics – in both German and English – to sink your teeth into (bearing in mind that the picture above only shows the grammar items for the “Absolute Beginner” level).

VOCABULARY LEARNING TOOLS

GermanPod101 comes with a number of valuable tools to help you quickly build a large vocabulary pool:

Thematic List RussianPod101

if you have ever tried to learn a language before you will know how frustrating it can be to develop an uneven vocabulary bank. 

You can natter away on certain familiar subjects, but when something outside of your comfort zone comes up it can difficult even forming a coherent sentence. The solution to this is thematic vocabulary lists. 

Work your way through each section – even those that you think don’t really have much connection to your everyday life – and you’ll be able to talk on any subject. 

GermanPod101 has an incredible selection of thematic word lists that cover mundane topics like “the body” and “jobs”, to more esoteric things like “sounds that animals make” and “Star Wars terminology in German”.

1-ON-1 LEARNING

Fast Track RussianPod101Purchasing a Premium+ package gives you access to GermanPod101’s ‘1-On-1 Learning’ feature.

As soon as you have signed up for this option you are assigned a professional teacher who will henceforth play an active role in your German-learning activities.

This is how it all works:

Graph RussianPod101You start by filling in a detailed assessment test which gives your teacher a feel for your strengths and weaknesses, as well as your general proficiency level.  They will then create a bespoke learning program that takes into account the goals that you want to achieve and the timeframe you want this into.

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Is it right for me?

If you are new to learning languages and want to follow a more structured approach with the guidance of a professional teacher, then we highly recommend that you choose a Premium+ package.  Previous learners have stated that the 1-on-1 system not only helped them to develop effective learning strategies, but also gave them a massive confidence boost.

Schedule RussianPod101

Your teacher will track your progress with regular assessments and will alter your learning plan as required.  In addition, you are able to ask them an unlimited amount of questions related to German and they will private message you their answer as soon as they are able to. Regular homework assignments with answers and corrections (can be for whichever skill you require: reading, listening, grammar, etc.) are an excellent way of keeping you on track.  You should note that everything here is done entirely according to your schedule – if you are too busy one week then you can hold off; if you want extra work the next, that won’t be a problem.

Certificate RussianPod101CEFR-based certificates of achievements are awarded as you reach certain milestones in your program.  As well as quantifying the progress that you have made, they are useful for putting on your CV and proving to potential employers that you can speak German.  Given that German is frequently cited as one of the top five most valuable languages to be proficient in, this is a very nice addition.

Claim Your Discount Now!

If you think that you would benefit from 1-on-1 Learning then click on the button below to get 20% off your Premium+ subscription!

Click Me!

You start by filling in a detailed assessment test which gives your teacher a feel for your strengths and weaknesses, as well as your general proficiency level.

Graph RussianPod101

They will then create a bespoke learning program that takes into account the goals that you want to achieve and the timeframe you want this into.


Is it right for me?

If you are new to learning languages and want to follow a more structured approach with the guidance of a professional teacher, then we highly recommend that you choose a Premium+ package.  Previous learners have stated that the 1-on-1 system not only helped them to develop effective learning strategies, but also gave them a massive confidence boost.

Your teacher will track your progress with regular assessments and will alter your learning plan as required.  In addition, you are able to ask them an unlimited amount of questions related to German and they will private message you their answer as soon as they are able to. 

Schedule RussianPod101Regular homework assignments with answers and corrections (can be for whichever skill you require: reading, listening, grammar, etc.) are an excellent way of keeping you on track.  You should note that everything here is done entirely according to your schedule – if you are too busy one week then you can hold off; if you want extra work the next, that won’t be a problem.

Certificate RussianPod101

CEFR-based certificates of achievements are awarded as you reach certain milestones in your program.  As well as quantifying the progress that you have made, they are useful for putting on your CV and proving to potential employers that you can speak German.

Claim Your Discount Now!

If you think that you would benefit from 1-on-1 Learning then click on the button below to get 20% off your Premium+ subscription!

Click Me!

SUBSCRIPTIONS AND PRICING

SUBSCRIPTIONS AND PRICING

Before we even begin to discuss the various packages and their respective prices, we wanted to give you three tips that could save you a considerable amount of money if you purchase a GermanPod101 subscription:

  • Students currently enrolled in school or university are able to get 20% off any 12-month Basic or Premium subscription by filling in this form

  • Even if you aren’t a student, GermanPod101 often has several generous discounts on offer for all potential customers – you can see them here

  • Once you create an account you are given the (one-time!) choice of experiencing the Premium plan for a month for just $1. We strongly recommend that you do this: it is the best way to see if GermanPod101 is the right product for you without committing yourself.

Discount offer for new accounts Germanpod101

As well as the free lifetime account, there are three separate subscription levels that give you access to the following combinations of features:

Obviously, the right package for you depends on your budget and what you intend to use GermanPod101 for.  That said, we believe that for most people the best option is the Premium package. This is because it gives you all of the tools and materials analysed above (minus 1-on-1 Learning) for a very reasonable price.Subscription Pricing RussianPod101

CURRENT DISCOUNTS

CURRENT DISCOUNTS

You can often find some very generous discounts for GermanPod101 subscriptions. 

In this section we keep an updated list of the best offers available at the present time.  To activate your coupon, simply click on the deal you’d like to take advantage of and you’ll be taken to the discounted GermanPod101 Plan Picker!

Coupon for GermanPod101

SUMMARY AND VERDICT

SUMMARY AND VERDICT

a Language Sherpa Review

Woman user of Germanpod101

.

Effectiveness
90%
Longevity
80%
User-Friendliness
90%
Value for Money
100%

Overall Rating:  

Summary: GermanPod101 is an effective way for beginner and intermediate learners to quickly improve their listening skills.  The wide range of topics covered and the increasingly challenging language will keep members engaged for a good couple of years.

We would like to see more audio and video lessons for advanced learners, as we feel that this is the product's only real weak point.  That said, we have been informed by a company spokesperson that they intend to massively expand this area of the website in the near future.

Features like the thematic word lists, downloadable lesson plans, and weekly homework assignments mean that members can use GermanPod101 as a German-learning 'nerve center' - it has tools and resources that allow you to perfect all of your language skills.  In this sense, it is the perfect to an in-depth textbook.

All of this, combined with the fact that there are subscription packages to suit all budgets, gives us the confidence to wholeheartedly recommend GermanPod101 to anyone looking to improve their German.

If you would like to sign up for a free account and give it try, click on the link below!

Learn German with Free Podcasts

a Language Sherpa Review

Woman user of Germanpod101

.

Effectiveness
90%
Longevity
80%
User-Friendliness
90%
Value for Money
100%

Overall Rating:  

Summary: GermanPod101 is an effective way for beginner and intermediate learners to quickly improve their listening skills.  The wide range of topics covered and the increasingly challenging language will keep members engaged for a good couple of years.

We would like to see more audio and video lessons for advanced learners, as we feel that this is the product's only real weak point.  That said, we have been informed by a company spokesperson that they intend to massively expand this area of the website in the near future.

Features like the thematic word lists, downloadable lesson plans, and weekly homework assignments mean that members can use GermanPod101 as a German-learning 'nerve center' - it has tools and resources that allow you to perfect all of your language skills.  In this sense, it is the perfect to an in-depth textbook.

All of this, combined with the fact that there are subscription packages to suit all budgets, gives us the confidence to wholeheartedly recommend GermanPod101 to anyone looking to improve their German.

If you would like to sign up for a free account and give it try, click on the link below!

Learn German with Free Podcasts

a Language Sherpa Review

Woman user of Germanpod101

Effectiveness
90%
Longevity
80%
User-Friendliness
90%
Value for Money
100%

Overall Rating:

Summary: GermanPod101 is an effective way for beginner and intermediate learners to quickly improve their listening skills.  The wide range of topics covered and the increasingly challenging language will keep members engaged for a good couple of years.

We would like to see more audio and video lessons for advanced learners, as we feel that this is the product's only real weak point.  That said, we have been informed by a company spokesperson that they intend to massively expand this area of the website in the near future.

Features like the thematic word lists, downloadable lesson plans, and weekly homework assignments mean that members can use GermanPod101 as a German-learning 'nerve center' - it has tools and resources that allow you to perfect all of your language skills.  In this sense, it is the perfect to an in-depth textbook.

All of this, combined with the fact that there are subscription packages to suit all budgets, gives us the confidence to wholeheartedly recommend GermanPod101 to anyone looking to improve their German.

If you would like to sign up for a free account and give it try, click on the link below!

Learn German with Free Podcasts

a Language Sherpa
Review

Woman user of Germanpod101

Effectiveness
90%
Longevity
80%
User-Friendliness
90%
Value for Money
100%

Overall Rating:

Summary: GermanPod101 is an effective way for beginner and intermediate learners to quickly improve their listening skills.  The wide range of topics covered and the increasingly challenging language will keep members engaged for a good couple of years.

We would like to see more audio and video lessons for advanced learners, as we feel that this is the product's only real weak point.  That said, we have been informed by a company spokesperson that they intend to massively expand this area of the website in the near future.

Features like the thematic word lists, downloadable lesson plans, and weekly homework assignments mean that members can use GermanPod101 as a German-learning 'nerve center' - it has tools and resources that allow you to perfect all of your language skills.  In this sense, it is the perfect to an in-depth textbook.

All of this, combined with the fact that there are subscription packages to suit all budgets, gives us the confidence to wholeheartedly recommend GermanPod101 to anyone looking to improve their German.

If you would like to sign up for a free account and give it try, click on the link below!

Learn German with Free Podcasts

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