German conversation classes in Vienna

Learn Austrian German in Vienna! In addition to regular German classes I also offer conversation lessons with a focus on spoken Austrian, e.g. general conversation topics, such as basic conversation starters, family, work, hobbies, travels, eating & drinking, etc. We can also talk about the Viennese and living in Vienna, the tasks after relocation, your new work environment, being an expatriate, feelings of culture shock, and about the Austrian culture, society, language, (business) etiquette, manners, customs or any other topic you'd like to.

 

Living and working abroad means, you not only need communications skills but also cross-cultural awareness to perform various language-related duties, in which I also can stand by your side.  In a private German lesson you can speak about all of your impressions, experiences and unfamiliar situations you encounter in a German speaking environment, which can greatly help you to adapt and cope with the various relocating and intercultural issues.

Private conversation training is highly interactive with about 50% participation, since you are the only one learner, so you'll speak a lot based on question-answer sequences, which really can help you master everyday communication with the natives :-) Also available as online course via Skype / ZOOM / Hangouts / WhatsApp/ Facebook Messenger, or on the phone. 

1-to-1 classes allow as much speaking time as possible. I'll help you to improve your accuracy and fluency by carefully correcting your pronunciation and grammar, writing down mistakes and encouraging correct use and practice. In our conversation class we'll have a good cuppa tea or coffee and discuss topics you choose, we can speak about everything and anything. No textbook, no homework, only if you want some, and as few a grammar as necessary. You'll use your conversation skills for (business) small talk or chit-chat, sharpen your listening comprehension and pronunciation, practice everyday vocabulary and build your personal vocabulary, all in all improve your ability to act/ask and react/answer.

Join me for a walk! This is an excellent opportunity to improve your fluency and get to know some nice places at the very heart of Vienna. Classes take place outdoor, somewhere in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 9th district, such as Vienna Old Town, Augarten, Prater, Stadtpark, Votivpark, Volksgarten, Burggarten, Rathauspark etc. We can also go for a strolling in the Mariahilferstraße and do some (window) shopping, get a coffee and a cake in one of Vienna's famous coffeehouses and if you like, I also show you some of my Geheimtipps  in the city center.

About me and my tutoring approach

I'm a highly qualified and experienced translator and a language teacher for German and Hungarian. I have taught both in the private sector and in numerous language schools, adults and children of different ages. I can offer Hungarian to university level, for this is my mother-tounge, and German to B1 level since I live and work in Vienna for more than 20 years now. I came here to study and made my Bachelor degree in Transcultural Communication and a Master degree in Translation and Terminology Sciences at the University of Vienna, then settled down with a good man and built a family.

I also have a teaching qualification for 'German as a Foreign Language' from the University of Kassel in Germany, and a didactic training on the renowned BERLITZ-method for 'Native Speaker Language Teachers'. Usually I work from home, where I have a vast library of  teaching resources such as worksheets, textbooks, picture dictionaries, flash-cards, games and lots of books for Beginners with German-English parllel texts, short stories for Easy Readers etc.,

 

Since no two learners are alike, I use varying tutoring approaches, whereby enjoyment is an important factor in my lessons. I very much like to use language games, cards, songs, short stories, videos and the internet to teach my languages, for I do believe that learning German, as well as Hungarian, can be fun. I aim to foster a friendly but professional relationship with each of my students, to build their confidence and self belief when they learn a new language. German can be an extremely challenging language and as an experienced German tutor I really can help you learning it.

 

I'll work alongside you at the speed that works for you best. In the first lesson we'll analyse your needs, noting your strengths and weaknesses. My German lessons involve paying particular attention to everyday vocabulary, focusing on the most important grammar topics, providing good practice in colloquial Austrian. Should you need help with any particular area of difficulty, we can target them of course.

 

Why choose me?

 

Organization: The German lessons can be 60, 90 or 120 minutes in length according to your preferences and your schedule. You can also bring your colleague, friend or spouse and take semi-private lessons in our home-office in the 2nd district. Home tutoring at your place or in-house trainings at your company are also possible by agreement, please ask for an individual price offer.

 

Even though we can arrange your lessons at short notice, I usually require 3-4 days in advance to book your lesson at your preferred time. How to cancel a lesson: If you can't attend the lesson, I need you to cancel our appointment in time and give me notice 24 hours in advance, but at least on the day before our appointment by no later than 18:00 by phone, e-mail or per SMS. Otherwise I'll have to charge 100% of the lesson fee, since I reserved that time slot for you and can not rearrange my day on such a short notice. Thank you.

 

Speak, speak, speak! German conversation groups in Vienna for free

Try to be (more) confident and speak as often as possible, to as many people as you possibly can. Do not be shy to make mistakes! The more you practice the better and quicker you get in speaking, and the more confident you'll become in your pronunciation and vocabulary. Remember, speaking is a skill like learning a music instrument or new sport: The only way you can get good is to actually do it.

So, if you really want to improve your spoken German I strongly recommend you to try one of these conversation groups in Vienna. Most of them are free of charge and without obligations, some are even without registration so you can just pop in whenever you want to, but ask the organizer anyway. Be fearless and expose yourself!

1. Sprachcafé - German learning cafe every Thursday 17:00-19:00 in Vienna 9th district: https://www.agendaalsergrund.at/projekte-detail/sprachcafe.html and  https://www.agendaalsergrund.at/files/bezirk_9/gruppen/SprachCafe/SprachCafeAlsergrund_Termine_2019.pdf
2. Sprach Café 8 - Practice your German every 2. Monday in Vienna 8th disctrict: https://www.agendajosefstadt.at/gruppe-detail/sprach-cafe-8.html and https://www.agendajosefstadt.at/kalender.html
3. Deutsch Café Plus - Conversation groups on different levels and days: http://www.nachbarschaftszentren.at/nz8/gruppen/
4. Vienna Blabla Language Exchange https://www.facebook.com/BlaBlaAustria/
5. German Language Café Wednesday evenings: https://www.meetup.com/de-DE/Internationals-in-Wien/events/zvgphlyxhbmb/
6. Deutsch in den Büchereien: Moderierte Konversationsstunden in den Wiener Bibliotheken https://www.buechereien.wien.at/de/interkulturellebuecherei/deutschlernen
   and https://www.buechereien.wien.at/de/programm/veranstaltungskalender/
7. Creative German once in a month: https://www.meetup.com/de-DE/The-Language-Society-Meetup/
8. Other listed Sprachcafés in Vienna: https://www.wienxtra.at/jugendinfo/infos-von-a-z/deutsch-sprechen-sprachcafes/?fbclid=IwAR20_ZUaC-pylhJtaC4qu2TTn-mIkWELmkUFLDmq64ysVNkxB0oP-vnABk8

And there are also some Facebook-groups for learning German together, where you have to become a member to be able to join in:

• Deutsch-Café: https://www.facebook.com/groups/896508217083806/
• Deutsch Café Wien: https://www.facebook.com/groups/776913302414870/
• Language Exchange Club Vienna: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1461396824112822/
• DEUTSHSTUNDE https://www.facebook.com/groups/deutshstunde/?ref=group_browse_new
• Vienna German Conversation Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/wienerdeutschstammtisch/
• Vienna Blabla Language Exchange Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BlaBlaVienna/about/

And of course you could try tandem-learning with someone interested in your language:

• Vienna Language Exchange: http://www.mylanguageexchange.com/city/Vienna__Austria.asp
• Tandem Learning: https://www.facebook.com/groups/596810637049947/ and  https://www.facebook.com/groups/129231947088821/?ref=br_rs
• Language Swap at the 'Sprachenzentrum' of the University of Vienna

In these groups you can discuss all your favourite topics in German. Ask a lot of questions, try to use as much (new) vocabulary as you can, listen to the others carefully and write down new words and phrases; that way you'll use all your senses effectively.

It is also a great opportunity to make friends with German native speakers, or other people learning German with whom you can (and should) compare notes, exchange ideas and talk about things you've learnt in your regular German courses.

 

Good to know: Oral Language Skills and their components

Communicating is not a skill we're born with, we arrive knowing how to make sounds, but our oral language skills, or ability to communicate through speaking, developed over time.

The most obvious part of oral language skills is vocabulary, passive and active. In order to effectively communicate, you have to build up a sufficient amount of different words.  Phonological skills are also important in order to ensure the correct pronunciation of a word. Having a functional understanding of grammar rules and the order of words for the language is also crucial. This is called syntax or word order, which shows you how to put words together to form sentences correctly. The next component of oral language skills is understanding the word parts and forms, known as morphological skills. These skills deal with the three different parts of a word: the prefix, the root word, and the suffix, and how to put these components together or take them apart to alter the meaning of a word. And the last component is called pragmatics of oral language, which deals with understanding the social rules of communication, to know when and how it's appropriate to speak with different persons and in various situations.