As you know, I have been struggling with learning German for years now. While I am working slow and steady, one of the things I really enjoy is listening to the Goethe-Institut and Deutsche Welle’s “learning German” series of podcasts — four series — that take German language neophytes from nothing to B1 of the European Framework of Reference for Languages — Deutsch Warum Nicht? German Why Not? You can listen to it online or you can download it as a podcast via RSS or iTunes.

And, it is fun, too — it is basically storytelling, about the life of student cum journalist cum porter, Andreas, and his invisible elf girlfriend, Ex, and all the characters at the Hotel Europa in Aachen, Germany.

For the gym, I loaded all four seasons onto my Apple iPod Shuffle and listen, listen, and listen… it is a rare example of a series that one actually can listen to again and again because each time I listen to the series, I have better and better comprehension.  I highly recommend it!

Deutsch – Warum nicht?

The course Deutsch – warum nicht?, divided into four parts, tells the story of the journalism student Andreas and his invisible ex. Join the two of them on an adventure and learn German along the way! Each of the four series contains 26 lessons with dialogues, exercises and audios to download. The course covers levels A1 to B1 of the European Framework of Reference for Languages and is geared toward beginners and advanced learners. Deutsch – warum nicht? was produced by Deutsche Welle and the Goethe Institute.

Deutsch – warum nicht? Series 1

Andreas works at the Hotel Europa in Aachen in order to finance his journalism studies. Things begin to get exciting when a famous musician disappears from Room 10. Important grammar points: verb conjugation, pronouns, simple questions, accusative case.

Deutsch – warum nicht? Series 2

Andreas has a lot to do. He has to take care of the guests in the hotel, find a room for his parents and conduct an interview with Charlemagne. Besides, his parents are going to find out who ex is and where he met her. Important grammar points: modal verbs, perfect tense, dative case.

Deutsch – warum nicht? Series 3

Andreas is still working in Aachen, but Dr. Thürmann has found a new job for the future journalist. A larger and more exciting city awaits him: Berlin. Important grammar points: imperfect tense, dependent clauses, declination of adjectives.

Deutsch – warum nicht? Series 4

Andreas has completed his studies and is now ready to research his first article. His work takes him (and, of course, his mysterious ex) to former East Germany. Important grammar points: passive, dependent clauses, reflexive verbs, subjunctive.