top of page
Online Teaching
Untitled design (28).png

Your questions answered

Anchor 1
Anchor 2

1)

My German colleagues all speak English -  why do I need communication coaching?

Even when everyone speaks the same language, communication does not automatically work in the way you expect.

​

To you, using softening, nuance and indirect wording may be the preferred way to communicate. However, in many professional contexts in Germany, clarity, structure and explicitness are prioritised more strongly.

Therefore, if you value politeness and careful phrasing, your message can easily be received differently from how you intended it.

​

In my work with English speakers in German work environments, I repeatedly see how small differences in structure, wording and emphasis can greatly change how competence, confidence and commitment are perceived.

​

Communication coaching helps you recognise where expectations, decisions and feedback are interpreted differently and shows you how to adapt your wording and structure, so your message lands as intended, even when you are communicating in English.


This allows you to learn how professional communication works in German work environments, so you can remain respectful and considerate while still being clearly understood.

​

Combined with your German language learning, this gives you a real advantage: you understand both the language and the communication logic that your German colleagues rely on.

2)

How long will it take me to reach B1/C1 level in German?

This is very difficult to answer. It is a bit like asking "How long will it take me to reach the finish line in a 100m race?"

This depends on many factors, mainly your starting point and how fast you can run (I mean learn :-). Also, your previous knowledge of languages and how much time you are able to invest in your learning are critical.

I generally recommend scheduling a minimum of 60 min a week for individual study into one’s diary, plus being an active member of our Hive, by asking and answering questions and taking part in the weekly challenges in addition to your weekly 1:1 support sessions. That way, your progress will be continuous and sustainable, at your pace!

3)

I am very busy and don’t have much time, how can I fit in learning German?

If you are pressed for time, then the Better German Hive is the perfect addition to your personalised 1:1 coaching sessions. You can access all the resources, courses and much more in your own time and ask questions in between your weekly 1:1 sessions to ensure faster progress. Everything in the Hive is available to you via our very own app, too!

​

You can also look for opportunities to fit in the German language into the routine you normally do anyway. This way, you can improve your German without needing additional time!

Do you regularly walk your dog? Listen to German radio/a podcast at the same time. Do you enjoy reading books? Pick a German book at your level. Love baking? Try a German cake recipe! Like watching movies and series? Watch German ones, with or without subtitles in your language!

You get the idea.

Lots more inspiration can be found inside the Better German Community Hive in the Resource Library!

4)

I have a busy schedule - can I move my 1:1 coaching session?

Of course! Please let me know as soon as you can (e.g. planned holidays etc), so we can cancel with enough notice and find an alternative time and date, if desired. Please make sure you give me at least 24h notice to avoid losing your coaching session.

Anchor 3
Anchor 4
Anchor 8
Anchor 5
Anchor 6
Anchor 7

5)

I find learning languages hard, how will I succeed with Better German?

A fresh start makes such a difference. You are now likely to have a different reason and a different motivation for learning German than when you may have tried previously. Being in a friendly, supportive community with access to high-quality resources, courses, help and much more in addition to your 1:1 coaching sessions gives you the ideal conditions to succeed. Our 24/7  forum allows you to ask questions at any time, ensuring you can make steady progress in between your 1:1 sessions!

​

In your personalised 1:1 sessions, we will focus our attention on your individual reasons and motivation and will keep weaving what you learn into situations where you can immediately apply the new concepts. That's how we start building up your confidence to speak from day 1.

 

The beauty of being a member of the Better German Hive is that you can learn at YOUR pace, which will never be too fast or too slow for you, but always at just the right level with just the right amount of challenge to enable you to make progress! These are just some of the keys to success.

6)

Why should I opt for personalised 1:1 coaching sessions?

1:1 sessions are essential if you want the flexibility of private sessions focused entirely on you, your objectives and your real-world challenges.

We tailor each session to your goals, e.g. improving your German language skills or adapting your (English) communication style for German colleagues. You’ll gain practice in speaking, giving and interpreting feedback, communicating expectations and navigating professional interactions in ways that are clear, effective and culturally aware.

​

Better German’s style of questioning encourages plenty of free speaking, allowing you to discuss real situations from your work and daily life, e.g. deadlines, meetings, client conversations or workplace challenges. This makes progress fast and highly relevant to your professional context.

​

While 1:1 sessions provide personalised focus, having them alone can sometimes mean a week-long gap between sessions, which can slow momentum. That’s where the Better German Community Hive comes in: available 24/7 for questions, course exercises, weekly challenges and resources to apply what you learn immediately in your real-world interactions with your German colleagues.

​

The combination of personalised 1:1 coaching plus the Hive’s ongoing support gives you the best of both worlds: tailored guidance, rapid progress and the confidence to communicate clearly and effectively with German colleagues in both German and English.

7)

Why is the 10-week TOP 10 German Grammar Masterclass so essential?

The 10-week flexible self-study Masterclass is essential for learners at any level - beginners, intermediate and even advanced learners who want to solidify essential German concepts. Mastering these core structures is as much about correctness when speaking or writing as it is about helping you understand how German colleagues structure their thoughts, reasoning and communication. This will greatly help you in adapting your language and communication style in both German and English.

​

The course is structured so that you progress at your own pace over 10 weeks (or longer). Each week, a new section is unlocked with videos of me explaining the core concepts, which you can watch as often as you like. Plenty of example sentences show the concepts in real contexts and you’ll complete exercises to apply the structures yourself, ensuring you can use them confidently in professional interactions.

​

The entire course remains available for the duration of your membership, so you can review anytime and consolidate your learning.

​

The Masterclass is complemented by 1:1 coaching sessions and the Q&A Forum, where you can ask questions, clarify your understanding and practise applying what you’ve learned.

This combination ensures you not only master essential concepts, but also develop the confidence and skills to communicate effectively with German colleagues, giving you a clear advantage in your workplace.

8)

Who is the Better German Hive right for?

The Better German Hive is designed for professionals who are used to a way of communicating that values softening, nuance and indirect wording, and who want to work effectively in a German work context that prioritises clarity, structure and explicitness.

​

It’s ideal if you are looking for a structured, flexible, self-directed German learning experience combined with personalised communication coaching, practical tools and ongoing support.

​

Inside the Hive, you’ll have access to all our courses, resources and 1:1 coaching, plus a friendly community where you can ask questions, share experiences and stay motivated.

 

If the above sounds like you, then the Hive gives you everything you need in one place.

​

See you there!

Anchor 9

9)

How is the Better German learning platform different from Preply or Duolingo?

How We're Different from Preply

​

Preply is a marketplace where learners must find a German language tutor themselves and the quality of instruction can vary. There’s often no clear structure, so progress can feel inconsistent. You’re limited to 1:1 lessons, with no ongoing support, structured course or community between sessions. Your tutors may or may not be familiar with your communication style and the challenges you face making sure your communication is understood as intended by your German colleagues.

​

In the Hive, you get a clear, step-by-step roadmap for mastering German and navigating German workplace communication. You know exactly what to focus on next because the programme takes you through the key language  concepts and practical applications in a structured 10-week course.

​

You also get direct access to me, a native German speaker and qualified teacher with over 20 years of experience of teaching and coaching in the UK, and a supportive community to help you apply what you learn in real-life professional situations.

​

​

How We're Different from Duolingo

​

Duolingo is fun and gamified, but it doesn’t give you the opportunity to have real-world conversations or understand different communication styles. While completing lessons can feel like progress, when you try to speak in meetings or give feedback at work, you may struggle to express yourself effectively.

​

In the Hive, we focus on helping you communicate confidently from the start. By diving deep into the core concepts and the structure of German, you understand how your colleagues think and communicate, so you can speak and interact effectively in both German and English. Instead of chasing streaks, you’ll gain practical skills, cultural awareness and the confidence to handle real professional situations.

​

Why This Matters

​

For busy professionals, time is precious.

You need a learning system that is both effective and flexible. The Hive gives you a structured path to mastering German and cross-cultural communication, so you won’t waste time on apps or tutors that don’t fully understand you or support your progress.

​

The combination of 1:1 personalised coaching plus the Hive’s courses, resources and community support gives you the best of both worlds: focused personal attention and the tools to apply your skills confidently in real German work contexts.

Anchor 10

What makes the Better German Community Hive unique?

10)

The Better German Community Hive is different from other platform which focus solely on language. Many leave you guessing, piecing together lessons from different tutors with no ongoing support or relying on apps that don’t prepare you for real conversations or workplace interactions.

 

In the Hive, you get everything you need in one place to communicate confidently with German colleagues - in German and in English.

​

Here’s what makes it unique:

​

  • A Clear Roadmap: No more wondering what to learn next. Follow a structured path that takes you step by step through essential German concepts so you know exactly what to focus on.

​

  • Qualified Coaching & Community Support: Gain direct access to me, a native German speaker and qualified teacher with over 20 years of experience of coaching English speakers, and a supportive, private community of fellow professionals to keep you motivated and help you apply what you learn in real-world interactions.

​

  • Practical, Real-World Application: Mastering the structure of German helps you not only speak German, but also understand how your German colleagues think, reason and communicate. This will help you to adapt your communication style when giving and interpreting feedback and expressing expectations clearly - in English and in German.

​

  • A Growing Resource Library: Need extra learning material? You’ll have access to a library of high-quality resources to reinforce your learning and explore communication and language topics in more depth.

​

  • Designed for Self-Directed Learners: The Hive is perfect for busy professionals who are looking for a flexible, structured learning experience that fits around their schedule while giving them the tools to thrive in German work contexts.

bottom of page