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German in Chicago

German is the language spoken by many of history’s renowned geniuses, like Sigmund Freud, Albert Einstein, and Johann Sebastian Bach. This is why German is known as the language of knowledge. Study German in Chicago with us at Listen & Learn and you’ll be able to engage with the work of these thinkers in their original form. Though German has a reputation for being a difficult language to acquire, don’t be intimidated: in fact, it shares almost 50% of its vocabulary with English, so you’ll have a head start if you decide to learn German in Chicago as an English speaker.

However, beware of false friends. You may think that the word “after” means the same in English and German, but that’s not the case. In fact, you might get in trouble if you decide to use this word, as it means “anus.” Save yourself some embarrassment and sign up for a face-to-face or online German course with us at Listen & Learn. Our native-speaking tutors will help you master all the nuances of the language and become fluent in a short time.

Further, with more than 3,500 German speakers living in Chicago, you’ll always find opportunities to put your language skills to the test. For example, if you want to meet like-minded people while practicing your German, you can join language exchange groups in the city, such as the Chicago German Meetup.

What are you waiting for? Contact us today and we will prepare personalized lessons for you to acquire German in a fast, smooth manner. We guarantee you will learn how to use tricky words, such as Studieren (not “study” but a university student), like a native speaker!

The type of courses we offer:

Face-to-Face 1-to-1 (Individual) General German

German lessons of this type are broader and are aimed towards students with a variety of requirements. While all beginner level students will cover survival German - needed for short visits to countries where English isn't widely spoken, or if you wish to 'go local'; those studying German usually go in different directions at this point, depending on what they need. Those who have benefitted from these German classes have been those investing in or buying property overseas, those married to overseas nationals, people setting off on a round-the-world trip, enthusiasts in German culture, and those enthusiastic to pass a specific exam in German. Inquire now about our German Courses or Take A Free German Level Test

Face-to-Face 1-to-1 (Individual) Business German

These German Lessons are intended for people who really need to learn German to help make that difference in their work. For beginners, it will be useful to learn greetings and basic business etiquette, at higher levels reading and then writing become more important. Typical students include those involved in import/export, international negotiations and acquisitions, jobseekers in multinational companies where an additional language is required, and those working with international colleagues, academia and government. Even on our most basic lesson for Beginners, students should expect to end the lesson with basic Telephone German and e-mail German skills for communications as well as Survival German required for short visits to a country. Inquire now about our German Courses or Take A Free German Level Test

Face-to-Face Closed (Private) Group General or Business German

The German lessons are also available for 2 or more people studying together (Two-to-One German Lesson or Small Group In-Company German Lesson). All participants must have the same level, the same business or general language needs and be able to study at the same time in the same location. The booking must be made for all participants at the same time. Listen & Learn do not recommend group classes of more than 6-8 people although In-Company Taster German Lessons can be run with up to 12 people. Inquire now about our German Courses or Take A Free German Level Test

Skype, Google Meet or Zoom Online 1-to-1 (Individual) General or Business German

Our native-speaking qualified German teachers can guide you and your group  at your work or at home, at a time convenient to you. Classes can take place on any day of the week - even weekends - morning, afternoon or evening. If needs be, if meeting at your office or home is not suitable, you can take your lessons at the trainer's office. Study materials are supplied for you. Inquire now about our German Courses or Take A Free German Level Test

Skype, Google Meet or Zoom Online Group (Closed or Open) General or Business German

The German lessons are also available for 2 or more people studying together (Two-to-One German Lesson or Small Group In-Company German Lesson). All participants must have the same level, the same business or general language needs and be able to study at the same time in the same location. The booking must be made for all participants at the same time. Listen & Learn do not recommend group classes of more than 6-8 people although In-Company Taster German Lessons can be run with up to 12 people. Inquire now about our German Courses or Take A Free German Level Test

Top Tips For…

german Entertainment

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Dark - Netflix series

If you are looking to improve your German skills while enjoying one of the best science fiction thrillers of the last few years, then you should not miss Dark. This Netflix series is set in a fictional town in Germany and depicts the aftermath of children’s disappearance, ultimately showing how four different families are connected by secrets. This highly suspenseful action series is perfect for German students with an advanced level of German who are looking for something to keep them on the edge of their seats! Plus, this series is so popular that talking about it can be a great way to break the ice with your German-speaking friends. Start watching Dark here!

german Entertainment

Run, Lola, Run - German Film

Do you need a break from your German vocabulary flashcards and textbooks? Watching films can be a great option to keep on improving your language skills while having fun. Run, Lola, Run is a very popular German thriller with a suspenseful storyline: it follows a woman who needs to get 100,000 marks to save her boyfriend’s life. The story is set in Berlin, so you’ll be exposed to the different accents that exist in the city, thereby improving your listening skills and your comprehension of German dialects. Learn more about the movie here!

German Film Festival

Watching German films is very useful way to educate yourself and learn more about the culture of German-speaking peoples. So, if you love movies, you’ll be happy to know that annual German Film Festivals are common throughout the USA. For example, the NYC event showcases the best films, documentaries, and short movies of the year. These movies are screened in German with English subtitles, so you won’t have problems understanding what the actors are saying if you’re a beginner. Don’t hesitate to attend; take your German skills to the next level! Want to know more about the festival? Read more here!

german Youtube Channels

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Bianca Claßen

Do you like fashion and beauty? Would you like to know more about these topics while improving your German proficiency? Then Bibis Beauty Palace is the YouTube channel you need to check out. With more than 5 million subscribers, the channel creator (Claßen) speaks about lifestyle, makeup, fashion, and travel topics—and all in German. She uses simple vocabulary and grammar and speaks in a very slow pace, so it’s a good option for those who are just starting with their German course. Some vocabulary you’re likely to learn includes Bilden (makeup), Koffer (suitcase), and Flugzeug (airplane). Subscribe to her channel here!

german Youtube Channels

Erik Range

Gamers can have some fun while improving their German skills by following Erik Range. He’s the most famous German YouTuber and a game developer himself, so you’ll not only enjoy his funny videos, but also his vast knowledge of the gaming industry. From Minecraft to The Last of Us, he likes playing anything and everything on PC and consoles. Although he speaks quite fast and uses a lot of slang and jokes while playing, you can turn on YouTube’s automatic subtitles and enjoy the videos regardless of your current German level! Subscribe to his channel here.

Dagi Bee

This YouTube channel is run by a famous German actress who has acted in several TV series and indie movies. Today, Dagi uploads video tutorials related to lifestyle and makeup, where she gives tips on the best products to use and how to apply them to be fashionable and healthy at the same time. Some of the topics she covers include teeth whitening, scar removal, and sun protection. Another positive aspect of her channel is that she reads almost all the comments and answers questions, so it’s a great opportunity to put your German skills into use! Subscribe here and learn more about lifestyle!

german Songs

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Eisbär - Grauzone

Grauzone is a great band for German language learners because of their slow cadence and clear pronunciation. Also, they have hits for everyone: whether you like rock, pop, or blues, you’ll find something to your tastes. Taking one example, the song Eisbär describes a man who wants to become a polar bear and gives all the reasons while he’d like to be this wild animal. Curious, right? It’s a brilliant track to learn the conditional tense (as the man describes hypothetical situations) and vocabulary about wild animals, such as claws (Krallen), growls (Knurrt), or fur (Pelz). Click here to listen to the song!

german Songs

Wir Sind Wir - Paul Van Dyk and Peter Heppner

Looking for a song to put your German skills into practice while learning more about the history of Germany? Then, Wir Sind Wir might be the track you want to hear. The singers sing about the state of the country after the fall of the Berlin Wall, describe the appearance of the welfare state, and the success of the economy. As the vocabulary is quite complicated, it’s more suitable for intermediate or advanced students of German. Some expressions include Ruinen dieser Stadt (the ruins of this city) or keine Wiederkehr (there’s no return). Click here to listen to the song!

Tour de France - Kraftwerk

Do you like electronic music and want to deepen your knowledge of German bands and hits while practicing the language? Tour de France is the song you’re looking for. As the name suggests, this piece describes the experience of participating in the world’s most famous cycling race and the joy the singer feels upon winning the competition. The song is perfect for beginners, as the lyrics are simple and repetitive. Plus, it includes a lot of vocabulary related to cycling, such as flat tyre (platter Reifen), sprinting (Sprinten), or paving stones (Pflastersteine). Click here to listen to the song!

Testimonials

From our clients all over the world

"Our teacher is really skilled and has been very flexible, accommodating, and creative in her teaching. We are very pleased to be learning with her."
Sister Emma Calvo

German course in Joliet.

"My lessons are going well! Gerhard, my teacher, is doing a great job. We have switched to having lessons via FaceTime and are communicating well."
Rita Main

German course in Omaha.

"The first lesson went really well, the hour whizzed by and I enjoyed it very much. Stephanie is a pleasure to work with."
Carol Strohmeyer

German course in Online.

"The lessons are going really well. Claudia is a wonderful teacher and I have learned a lot this session."
Jennifer Von Durckheim

German course in San Antonio.

"I love my German lessons. The lessons are geared to my needs. I think this is the best way to learn a language if you need to use it."
Joan Kalmring

German course in Toronto.

Client case studies

Have a look at successful and satisfied clients.

Client photo
Peter Dillard German in Tucson
I was impressed by Listen & Learn’s ability to provide individual language instruction in my home through a tutor

Our Clients Include

From our clients all over the world

Allianz Real Estate
Language learned: English in New York.

Citelum
Language learned: Spanish in New Orleans.

Taiyo America
Language learned: English in Reno.