https://www.youtube.com/embed/yKn5kPZCxwE Witches, sorcerers, costumes, tricks, and superstition...no, it’s not Halloween! We’re talking about Walpurgis night in Germany.  While you might not associate the beginning of spring with witchcraft and sorcery, this correlation has some interesting roots in numerous European countries. In this article, you’ll learn about the origins of this mystical holiday and how it’s celebrated today.  Let’s go! 1. What is Walpurgis Night? Walpurgis is a festival that takes place each year, beginning on the night of April 30 and ending on May 1. This festival is also common in a number of other European nations, including Sweden, Finland, the Czech Republic, and Estonia. ... Show more

https://www.youtube.com/embed/kIA_3g6dcV4 Germany is a predominantly Christian nation, with over half of its population identifying as Christian. As such, it should come as no surprise that Christian holidays, such as Dreikönigsfest (Epiphany), are widely celebrated here. In this article, you’ll learn all about the Epiphany holiday in Germany. Because this is such a special occasion in the country, exploring its origins and traditions will help you become better acquainted with German culture as a whole.  Let’s get started. 1. What is Epiphany All About? Epiphany is a religious Feiertag (holiday) on which Christians commemorate the three wise men who followed a bright star to find Baby Jesus. This is an... Show more

https://www.youtube.com/embed/VVVllL2avmk Autumn is in the air already…can you believe it? Leaves turning, nippy air, warm drinks, and a cold winter ahead. If you live in the U.S. or U.K., you’re probably looking forward to some great weather and a series of comforting holidays.  In Germany, one such holiday is the Harvest Festival, a holiday very similar to Thanksgiving.  In this article, you’ll learn all about the Harvest Festival in Germany, from what it’s about to how it’s celebrated today. Let’s get started! 1. What is the Harvest Festival? The Harvest Festival in Germany is similar—but not identical—to Thanksgiving in the United States. It’s a holiday to celebrate the autumn Ernte ("harvest"), as... Show more

We’re sure that the name Oktoberfest rings a bell (or several). During Oktoberfest, Germany enjoys a long celebration focused on great food, fun music, and of course, lots of beer! But did you know that for Oktoberfest, Munich, Germany even has events for the kids? In this article, you’ll learn about the traditions of Oktoberfest Munich observes each year. As one of Germany’s most well-known and beloved holidays, knowing the celebrations behind it are essential in understanding German culture. This, in turn, will help you get a better grasp of the language. At GermanPod101.com, we hope to make every aspect of your learning journey both fun and informative. So drink up, and let’s get started... 1. What is Oktoberfest? ... Show more

Have you ever heard about the Italian people using their hands, feet, and all the other parts of their body while they’re talking? Your answer is: Yes? No worries if you haven’t heard this about German people. The only reason for this is that we’re not that expressive with our body gestures and body language like other nations are. But have you heard about German eye contact? They like to keep eye contact at all times. Here’s a little side story to help you visualize nonverbal communication in German: My grandparents travelled in Africa for three months in 2012. Does that sound odd? It gets better! My grandparents don’t speak any French or English at all. All they know is German. After they came back home, I was impressed and... Show more

The German language is currently the 15th most spoken language in the world. The number of first language speakers according to the 21st edition of Ethnologue is 76 million. Speakers of German are found in 28 countries, located in 6 continents. German has official language status in Belgium, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Switzerland and Austria. You'll also find German speakers in Kazakhstan, Russia, Brazil, Namibia, Argentina, Paraguay, Bolivia, South Africa and Australia. Being part of the Indo European language family, the English language and the German language share around 60% of their lexicon. Like most languages, the German language has its own set of quirks and unique features, which at times add to the confusion of German... Show more

Discover 3 ways that German learning games and video games can help you learn and master German faster, retain more, and enhance your language skills. Create Your Free Lifetime Account and Start Learning the whole German Language from the Beginning! Can You Learn German Using Games? Yes, German learning games and even video games can help you learn and master German faster and improve overall comprehension. Research studies have concluded that video games enhance traditional learning methods and make mastering a new language like German fun and exciting. Without the firm foundation in grammar and vocabulary provided by conventional learning programs, however, you will not be able to learn German with games alone. But when... Show more

Learn 4 honest reasons you need German slang words and why they are so vital to truly learning and mastering the language. Teachers may normally cringe at the thought of their students learning German slang words. After all, slang words and phrases are typically defined as being grammatically incorrect. So why would your teacher want you to spend time learning the “wrong way” to speak German? Here are 4 of the top reasons why you should study slang words and expressions when learning German or any new language. Create Your Free Lifetime Account and Start Learning the whole German Language from the Beginning! 1. Native Speakers Use Slang Expressions in Everyday Conversation If you are going to study a foreign... Show more

Zombies are coming, and they speak German! Do you have what it takes to survive? No? How lucky you are, we have exactly what you need. Here is the Top 20 Words and Phrases you need to survive this Apocalypse! Click here to listen how to pronounce those phrases! -beängstigend (adj) scary -Infektion die fem (n) infection -Schädel der masc (n) skull Grab das neut (n) grave -Was ist Ihr Lieblings-Zombie-Film? What's your favorite zombie movie? Click here to access this lesson for free! -Apokalypse die fem (n) apocalypse -Aus dem Grab auferstehen rise from the grave -Zombies! Renn! Zombies! Run! -Wenn es einen Zombie-Angriff geben würde, wohin würdest du fliehen? If there was a zombie attack,... Show more

Hey Listeners! Guess what? Your language learning goals just got a little easier! As you’ve probably realized by now, there have been some major improvements made to your dashboard! These updates have been designed to improve your overall experience with the website and help keep you organized and on-track! Here are a few of the changes: Your progress is now tracked right, smack in the middle of the page to keep you motivated and organized. A new, sleek and easy to navigate design allows you to worry less about where to click and more on learning German! An enlarged profile picture that gives your dashboard a unique and more personal feel. A new layout for the “Latest News” feed to keep you informed on all of the most recent... Show more