Why choose me?

Free consultation
Near-native German speaker
20 years of teaching experience
A multitude of Teaching/Learning Materials
Explanation in English, German or Hungarian
University trained translator and language teacher
Flexible schedule, classes also on Saturday and Sunday
1-to-1 classes in Vienna 2nd, outdoors in Vienna city-center and online
Having learned Russian, Greek and Italian myself, I know very well about the diffculties one encounters when learning a new language
... and last, but not least: very patient and always supportive with a good portion of humour.

About me and my tutoring approach

I'm a highly qualified translator and 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 B2 level since I live and work in Vienna for more than 25 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 parallel texts, short stories for Easy Readers etc.

I always had a love for languages and especially for grammar systems, was fascinated how languages being the blueprint of a given culture and society with its values and mindset. I chose very consciously the university course "German as a second language" to learn specifically how to teach German for foreigners after having experienced its challenges personally.

Austrian German: Since I'm also a translator with native-like fluency in German and knowledge of Austria's history, culture, politics and economy, as well as having advanced English proficiency, I also provide a variety of language support services for (Austrian) German and Hungarian based on my regional expertise. Also, being a translator and a polyglott enables me to see languages and their grammar systems from a different angle than German native speakers or regular school teachers do. I understand the importance of a well-designed method in a logical order and clear, small steps to maintain continuous progress.

Methodology: I use varying tutoring approaches, because no two learners are alike, whereby enjoyment is an important factor in my lessons. I very much like to use the latest technology and teaching techniques, but also have an extensive compilation of German language games, cards, songs, short stories, videos. I'm fond of and really appreciate internet sources to teach German and Hungarian, 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 patiently 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. If you need help with any particular area of difficulty, we can target them of course and practice specific skills and speacialized vocabulary of your choice. I prefer to use a communicative approach in my lessons and will talk to you instead of making you learn rules and charts by heart.

I also give one-on-one study-support for schoolkids new in Vienna to help transition for the incoming school year in an Austrian school, and for students / exams at uni.

Organization: The German lesson can be 30, 45, 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 Vienna 2nd. Home tutoring at your place or in-house trainings at your company are also possible by agreement, please ask for an individual price offer. If you don't like to sit around, read about my outdoor classes: German on the go - Walk & Talk in Vienna

Cancellation policy: 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 12:00 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.

Qualifications earned in Linguistics and Pedagogy

PEDAGOGIC STUDIES

Lehrbefähigungsprüfung für Geige, Klavier und Akustik am Konservatorium 'König Stephan I. der Heilige' für Musik in Budapest
BERLITZ Teaching Certificate for Native Speaker: Zertifizierte Sprachtrainerin der Berlitz Methode®
Fernstudienlehrgang des Goethe Instituts ’Didaktik und Methodik Deutsch als Fremdsprache’ an der Universität Kassel
Veranstaltungsreihe am DUDEN Institute für Lerntherapie - Lernstrategien für Kinder mit Dysgraphie und Legasthenie:

Erscheinungsformen, Ursachen, Möglichkeiten der Hilfe
Lese-Rechtschreib-Schwäche und Mehrsprachigkeit in Schule und Lerntherapie
LRS und Rechenschwäche erkennen, verstehen, bewältigen
Arbeit mit Wortbausteinen in der Lerntherapie

LINGUISTIC STUDIES

Bachelorstudium Transkulturelle Kommunikation Ungarisch / Deutsch / Englisch an der Universität Wien.
Magisterstudium Fachübersetzen und Terminologie Ungarisch / Deutsch / Englisch an der Universität Wien.
Kurzlehrgang mit Ö-Cert Zertifikat 'Kommunaldolmetschen für DolmetscherInnen im Sozial- und Gesundheitsbereich' an der Diakonie Eine Welt-Akademie in Wien
International Terminology Summer School an der Universität Wien
Workshop Deutsch Spezial: Der Wiener Dialekt an der VHS Wien Margareten

Testimonials: My students about my German classes

Sara is a friendly and very knowledgeable teacher which makes learning with her both fun and extremely effective. She provided me with the resources I needed to learn German and customised lessons to suit me. I am now enjoying being able to speak German much more confidently. Sara also provided practical insights into life in Austria, which was really useful in helping with real life language. She's professional and insightful and I recommend her highly.

Ann H.

Sara and I had 1-1 German lessons for approximately six months. Sara is very accommodating and tailors the course around your specific needs. For me, this meant having lots of conversations (auf Deutsch 😁) in order to help me overcome my fear of speaking. Unlike other traditional teachers, Sara focuses (and succeeds) in not only helping people improve their German language skills, but also helping them to successfully integrate into life in Vienna. I would recommend 1-1 courses with Sara to anyone, no matter their level of German.

Neville O'C.

During a year-long research fellowship in Vienna, I worked with Sara to improve my conversational German twice a week. These sessions helped me navigate the complexity of the German language while also providing a deeply informative and personal introduction to the history and culture of Vienna. Like all dedicated teachers, Sara expects a lot from her students, a quality helped me to maintain my devotion to the task at hand. She has a vast plethora of teaching materials, and she was very perceptive in deciding which exercises and books to assign according to my strengths and weakness. I also really appreciated the way in which Sara was able to calibrate her spoken German during our conversations in order to best reflect my own progress. In addition to her pedagogical qualities, I enjoyed Sara’s unique blend of camaraderie and “tough love.” Halfway through my year in Vienna, going to Sara’s place for my tutoring sessions no longer felt like I was going to meet just an instructor but a dear friend.

Ross L.

Methodology of Language Learning: The 4 pillars

Take a look at the 4 basic skills of language use, which are essential for effective communication. The passive and active skills are interconnected and should be developed together in the process of learning a new language.

Multiple apps are available online to help you study and repeat vocabulary through digital flashcards such as Anki. Through podcasts you get the listening practice while commuting. Via messages, mails, and sms you practice writing and reading. Chatting with other German speakers (or fellow learners) help you with speech practice.

PASSIVE SKILLS

Listening involves understanding spoken language, and it’s fundamental for oral communication. To develop this skill you shoul make sure to expose yourself to spoken language so you learn to understand the nuances of tone, speed, and accent. It’s essential for real-time communication and often requires the ability to interpret context and non-verbal cues.

Reading is the ability to comprehend written text, which is crucial for gaining information and enjoying literature. The easiest way to build up your passive vocabulary and to practice the subtle, unconscious comprehension of synthax / word order, grammar structures, collocations and phrases.

ACTIVE SKILLS

Speaking allows you to express thoughts and ideas verbally to others. Speaking requires a good grasp of pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar. It involves pragmatic skills like knowing and freely using phrases to start a conversation, ask and answer questions, share your thoughts, take turns in dialogues, for which you need to be able to use your active vocabulary and your grammar knowledge appropriately in different social contexts.

Writing involves constructing text to convey messages or information effectively. Writing skills encompass spelling, grammar, punctuation, and the ability to organize thoughts coherently. It also requires an understanding of different writing styles, the recipient and the purpose of the text, whether it’s to inform, persuade, or entertain.

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