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Ingo Depner
  • Latest Update: November 2023

  • Join 35,000+ successful students who have already taken this course.

  • Instructor is available inside the course to answer questions and provide feedback

Learn the grammar, vocabulary and communication skills you need in order to become a fluent German speaker.

"Just dropping by to say thank you. I've used your German course to jump a few levels and then joined a physical class. Just got my B1 certificate last month (98% B1 proficiency, yay) and your online course had a good part in that." - Viorel S

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  • Latest Update: November 2023

  • Join 35,000+ successful students who have already taken this course.

  • Instructor is available inside the course to answer questions and provide feedback

Learn the grammar, vocabulary and communication skills you need in order to become a fluent German speaker.

"Just dropping by to say thank you. I've used your German course to jump a few levels and then joined a physical class. Just got my B1 certificate last month (98% B1 proficiency, yay) and your online course had a good part in that." - Viorel S

This German course is perfect if you want to:

  • master everyday situations in a German speaking country

  • communicate accurately what you want to say

  • be spontaneous in conversations and discussions

  • develop your reading, writing, speaking and listening skills

  • pronounce German words like native speakers

  • use German grammar with ease and fluency

"Ingo has a ton of experience in German teaching. You can tell all of the best practices and good tips come to life here. His pace is perfect for the beginner so don't be intimidated. Highly recommend." - Gabriel John Rodriguez

Cover the basics and then progress fast

Whether you are a complete beginner, too busy for a language class, or needing to brush up before a vacation or business trip, this is the perfect German course for you. It covers all four basic skills: speaking, listening, reading and writing, and you can enjoy the freedom and flexibility to learn at your own pace. 

Grammar and vocabulary are taught through texts and dialogues based on everyday situations ranging from talking about interests and hobbies, daily routines to ordering food in a restaurant and making a doctor's appointment. 

"This German course was great on many levels. It really outlines the basics and builds a solid foundation. Things are explained and taught in a simple and clear format. The progression is also very encouraging because one continues to build on previous lessons. I highly recommend this course. " - Peter Hamon

Start forming sentences after the very first lesson 

The language is approached in a functional and communicative way so that you can easily use what you have learned to communicate in German effectively. 

I have kept the grammatical explanations as simple and user-friendly as possible to allow you to progress at a steady pace but at the same time build up a sound understanding of how the language works and so build up your confidence.

"I love the approach the teacher uses. It's all about immediate immersion in to full sentences, then he breaks down the parts of the sentences. He also encourages you to get out of the course to online forums and apps that will help build your vocabulary and connect you with native speakers. It's really great and totally worth the $. " - Levi Baade

Develop your skills even further

"German Made Simple" is part of a well thought-out language learning concept, so if you'd like to develop your skills even further after you finish this course, I've got you covered. My other Udemy courses are the perfect complement to "German Made Simple" and will help you reach an intermediate and advanced level of language proficiency. The following courses are available:

  • Speak German like a Native: A Practical Conversation Course

  • Read German like a Native: 10 Inspirational Short Stories

  • Write German like a Native: 10 German Dictation Exercises

  • Perfect Your German: Tips & Tricks to Avoid Common Mistakes

  • German for Job Interviews: Top 10 Questions and Best Answers

"I am an employee at Udemy and a native speaker of German. At Udemy, we take courses in groups to learn together and I recently opted to take this course with my coworkers. Many of my coworkers are interested in learning some basics of the German language for traveling or communicating with friends or family members and this course was perfect for it. Ingo knows exactly what English speakers are struggling with (false friends, pronunciation etc.) and is addressing these points in his course. We enjoyed the course very much and would like to thank you, Ingo. " - Sarah Ziani

This is what you can expect:

  • Professional, fun and easy-to-understand lessons

  • Engaging exercises that let you test your comprehension

  • Guided speaking lessons to build your conversational skills

  • Exceptional support and prompt answers to your questions

  • Downloadable PDF files of the texts with translated vocabulary lists

  • Downloadable MP3 audio versions of all lessons to listen to on the go

  • A 30-day full refund guarantee, no questions asked

  • And last but not least… to learn German fast.

Are you ready? Then take this course and start speaking German right away.    

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Greet and introduce yourself and others in german
  • Communicate successfully in everyday situations
  • Talk about your daily routine and discuss the weather
  • Make appointments and arrange meetings
  • Write, revise and proofread short texts in german
  • Pronounce german words correctly
  • Use german grammar with ease and fluency
  • Speak german with confidence

Syllabus

Introduction and Tips for Effective Learning
Welcome!
Learning German – 5 Things You Need to Know
How to Never Forget Vocabulary Again
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Teaches basic German grammar, vocabulary, and communication skills for beginners
Develops skills for everyday conversations, making appointments, and writing short texts
Uses a functional and communicative approach to language learning
Provides detailed explanations of German grammar with downloadable PDFs and MP3 audio files
Offers exceptional support and prompt answers to student questions
Created by Ingo Depner, an experienced German instructor

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Reviews summary

Solid foundation for german basics

According to learners, this course provides a solid foundation for learning German basics. Many appreciate the instructor's clear explanations and the course's structured approach, finding it easy to follow and effective for building confidence. The lessons use practical, everyday situations, which helps make the language feel accessible and useful right away. While the course is praised for its clarity and pace for beginners, some students note the need for additional practice outside the course, particularly for speaking and pronunciation, to achieve fluency. Overall, it's seen as a highly recommended starting point for serious learners.
Pace is sometimes slow or fast.
"As a complete beginner, I found the pace perfect and never felt rushed."
"For someone brushing up, some early lessons felt a bit slow, but it picked up later."
"Some grammar concepts were introduced quickly, and I had to rewatch lectures multiple times to grasp them fully."
External practice is necessary.
"He also encourages you to get out of the course to online forums and apps that will help build your vocabulary..."
"While the lessons are great, you absolutely need to seek out opportunities to practice speaking German outside of the course."
"The course gives you the tools, but you have to do the work finding conversation partners."
Excellent starting point for beginners.
"It really outlines the basics and builds a solid foundation."
"The focus on everyday situations made the material immediately useful and helped me start speaking right away."
"This course gave me the confidence and the necessary grammar/vocab base to move on to higher levels."
Concepts are explained simply and clearly.
"Things are explained and taught in a simple and clear format."
"The teacher has a gift for explaining complex grammar points in a way that just makes sense."
"I found the structure of the course very logical and easy to follow, building step-by-step."
More opportunity for speaking needed.
"The course is strong on grammar and listening/reading, but I wish there were more built-in speaking exercises or interaction."
"You learn *how* to form sentences, but actual speaking practice is minimal within the course structure itself."
"To really improve my pronunciation and fluency, I had to find conversation groups separately."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in German Made Simple: A Complete Course for Serious Learners with these activities:
Read 'German Made Simple' by Ingo Depner
Review a comprehensive guide to German grammar, vocabulary, and communication skills.
Show steps
  • Read through the chapters of the book.
  • Take notes on key grammar rules and vocabulary.
  • Complete the exercises provided in the book.
Practice pronunciation exercises
Improve your German pronunciation to increase your confidence and clarity when speaking.
Browse courses on German Pronunciation
Show steps
  • Listen to native German speakers and imitate their pronunciation.
  • Practice pronouncing German words and phrases aloud.
  • Use online tools or apps to practice German pronunciation.
Complete German grammar exercises
Reinforce your understanding of German grammar through regular practice.
Browse courses on German Grammar
Show steps
  • Find online or offline exercises covering German grammar topics.
  • Complete the exercises regularly.
  • Check your answers and review any mistakes.
Show all three activities

Career center

Learners who complete German Made Simple: A Complete Course for Serious Learners will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Translator
Translators convert written or spoken content from one language to another. As a Translator, your work will improve communication between individuals and/or organizations. You will need a high level of fluency in both languages. This course, “German Made Simple: A Complete Course for Serious Learners,” may be useful. This course will help you develop the skills you need to translate German language content accurately.
International Business Manager
As an International Business Manager, you will conduct business with companies located all over the world. This course, “German Made Simple: A Complete Course for Serious Learners,” may be useful. A strong foundation in the German language is essential for this role, and this course will provide you with the skills you need to communicate effectively with German-speaking clients and colleagues.
Diplomat
Diplomats represent their country's interests in foreign countries. This course, “German Made Simple: A Complete Course for Serious Learners,” may be useful. This course will help you develop the skills you need to communicate effectively in German, and it will also provide you with the cultural knowledge you need to succeed in a diplomatic role.
Foreign Service Officer
Foreign Service Officers represent the United States government abroad. This course, “German Made Simple: A Complete Course for Serious Learners,” may be useful. This course will help you develop the skills you need to communicate effectively in German, and it will also provide you with the cultural knowledge you need to succeed in a diplomatic role.
Global Supply Chain Manager
Global Supply Chain Managers oversee the movement of goods and services from suppliers to customers around the world. This course, “German Made Simple: A Complete Course for Serious Learners,” may be useful. This course will help you build a foundation in German business terminology and it will provide you with the skills you need to communicate effectively with German-speaking clients and colleagues.
Export Manager
Export Managers oversee the export of goods and services to foreign countries. This course, “German Made Simple: A Complete Course for Serious Learners,” may be useful. This course will help you build a foundation in German business terminology and it will provide you with the skills you need to communicate effectively with German-speaking clients and colleagues.
International Lawyer
International Lawyers advise clients on legal matters that involve more than one country. This course, “German Made Simple: A Complete Course for Serious Learners,” may be useful. This course will help you build a foundation in German legal terminology and it will provide you with the skills you need to communicate effectively with German-speaking clients and colleagues.
International Project Manager
International Project Managers plan and execute projects in foreign countries. This course, “German Made Simple: A Complete Course for Serious Learners,” may be useful. This course will help you develop the skills you need to manage international projects effectively, and it will also provide you with the language skills you need to communicate effectively with people from other countries.
International Relations Specialist
International Relations Specialists analyze and advise on foreign policy issues. They work in government agencies, think tanks, and international organizations. This course, “German Made Simple: A Complete Course for Serious Learners,” may be useful. This course will help you develop the skills you need to understand and analyze international relations, and it will also provide you with the language skills you need to communicate effectively with people from other countries.
International Marketer
International Marketers develop and implement marketing campaigns for products and services in foreign markets. This course, “German Made Simple: A Complete Course for Serious Learners,” may be useful. This course will help you develop the skills you need to understand and analyze international markets, and it will also provide you with the language skills you need to communicate effectively with people from other countries.
Language Teacher
As a German Language Teacher, you would be responsible for teaching German language and culture to students at various levels of proficiency. This course, “German Made Simple: A Complete Course for Serious Learners,” may be useful. This course will help you build a foundation in German grammar and vocabulary, and it will also provide you with the skills you need to communicate effectively in German.
Travel Writer
Travel Writers produce written content about travel destinations and experiences. This course, “German Made Simple: A Complete Course for Serious Learners,” may be useful. This course will help you develop the skills you need to write engaging and informative travel content, and it will also provide you with the language skills you need to communicate effectively with people from other countries.
Foreign Correspondent
As a Foreign Correspondent, you will report on international news and events for a news organization. This course, “German Made Simple: A Complete Course for Serious Learners,” may be useful. You will need to be able to communicate effectively in German in order to gather information and report on the news.
Interpreter
Interpreters provide real-time translation of spoken language. You will work in a variety of settings, including healthcare, business, and legal. This course, “German Made Simple: A Complete Course for Serious Learners,” may be useful. This course will help you build a foundation in German grammar and vocabulary, and it will also provide you with the skills you need to communicate effectively in German.
Cultural Anthropologist
Cultural Anthropologists study the behavior, beliefs, and values of different cultures. This often involves fieldwork in foreign countries. This course, “German Made Simple: A Complete Course for Serious Learners,” may be useful. This course will help you develop the skills you need to interact with people from different cultures and to understand their way of life.

Reading list

We've selected 13 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in German Made Simple: A Complete Course for Serious Learners.
Provides a list of 501 of the most common German verbs, along with their conjugations in all tenses. It useful resource for students who want to expand their vocabulary and improve their fluency.
This comprehensive dictionary of German and English words and phrases. It useful resource for students who want to look up unfamiliar words or phrases.
Provides a variety of exercises and drills to help students practice German grammar. It useful resource for students who want to improve their accuracy and fluency.
Provides a comprehensive overview of German grammar and vocabulary, with a focus on practical usage. It useful resource for students who want to learn the basics of German quickly and easily.
Provides a collection of short stories in German, with English translations. It useful resource for students who want to improve their reading comprehension and vocabulary.
Comprehensive guide to German grammar and vocabulary, with a focus on practical usage. It good reference book for students who want to have a clear overview of German grammar.
Provides a collection of common German idioms and phrases, with their English translations. It useful resource for students who want to improve their fluency and sound more natural when speaking German.
Provides a comprehensive history of German cinema, from its beginnings to the present day. It useful resource for students who are interested in learning more about the history of German film.
Provides a collection of German literature in translation, from poetry to prose. It useful resource for students who want to read some of the most important works of German literature.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the history of the German language, from its origins to the present day. It useful resource for students who are interested in learning more about the development of the German language.
Provides a comprehensive overview of German art and architecture, from the Middle Ages to the present day. It useful resource for students who are interested in learning more about the history of German art and architecture.
Provides a very short introduction to German history, from the Holy Roman Empire to the present day. It useful resource for students who want to learn more about the history of Germany.

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