Präpositionen / Prepositions These are words like in, on, at, for, to, by, into, towards, through, and under.It is important to understand the concept of movement and that of a state or situation (sometimes indicated Sein (bin, bist etc)).  Is something moving somewhere for example Er hängt das Bild and die Wand (akk)  or is it already there Das Bild hängt an der Wand (Dativ)  mit Akk mit Dat mit Gen mit Dat / akk (Wechsel)Dativ:Wo oder ‘Wann / Where or when? Akkusativ:Wohin / where to? Durch Ab Trotz An Ohne Zu Wärend Auf Gegen Aus Wegen Hinter Für Nach Außerhalb Neben Um Mit Innerhalb Über Bis Bei Jenseits Zwischen   Von   In   Seit   Unter   Außer   Vor   Gegenüber     Zu, nach, in oder ins?? Nach is used to indicate going to a geographic place or points of the compass. It is used to say you’re going to a country or a city, for example, Ich fahre nach Südafrika (I’m going to South Africa.) or Ich fahre nach Stuttgart (I’m going to Stuttgart.) It is always followed with the Dativ Kasus.Nach doesn’t work with countries that have an article like Switzerland – wir fahren in die Schweiz. (We are going to Switzerland.)Nach is also used when you refer to cardinal directions  (North) or left and right, up and down. Nach is rarely used with an article while zu is followed by articlesNach can also mean after something for example nach der Schule – after school. The following verbs are used with nach: abreisen, fliegen, fahren, frage, gehen, reisen, suchen In is used when you plan to end up INSIDE (into) a building for example die Oper or Das Kino  – Ich gehe in der Opera (I am going to the opera) or Ich gehe ins Kino (I am going to the movies). It can be used with Akkusativ or Dativ, depending on whether there is movement or if it is a “state” / at a location.You also use it to say you are going into something like into the mountains or into town, for example, die Berger or die Stadt (wir fahren in die Berge) or wir gehen in die Stadt  – movement therefore Akkusativ. Im is a contraction of “in dem” which is in the Dativ case for example im Winter or im Prinzip. An example with Das Auto –  Mein Schlüssel ist im Auto (in dem Auto) Auf – On top of something. Akkusativ or Dativ, depending on whether there is movement or if it is a “state” An – At the side of something. Akkusativ or Dativ, depending on whether there is movement or if it is a “state” Zu is used to say you are going to someone/somewhere. You are heading in a direction or going to a destination. It is exclusively used to say you are going to someone’s house or a company that is specified by just its name like McDonalds. Examples Ich hehe zu Marianne or ich gehe zu McDonalds. Zu always takes the Dativ case even when there is movement involved. In most cases, you can substitute in/auf/an with zu. Here are some examples: Ich gehe ins Fitnessstudio/ Ich gehe zum Fitnessstudio Ich gehe an den Strand / Ich gehe zum Strand Nach Hause or zu Hause?? Ich gehe nach Hause means I am going home, but Ich bin zu Hause means I am Home   Related content

Verbs Verbs are the heartbeat of language. They are words that describe action or state—what we do, how we feel, or where we exist. In German, verbs are divided into two main categories based on what they express: “tun-Verben” (doing verbs) and “sein-Verben” (being verbs). Action Verbs (tun-Verben) These verbs describe actions or activities. They tell us what something or someone is doing. For example, “laufen” (to run) is a “tun-Verb” because it expresses the physical act of running. Verbs like “essen” (to eat), “schreiben” (to write), and “lernen” (to learn) are also action verbs. They convey what the subject is actively doing, creating movement, change, or progress. Action verbs are typically followed by the Akkusativ (accusative) case when they take a direct object, because they describe an action that affects or moves something. These verbs express actions that you perform, and the object of that action (if there is one) usually takes the accusative case. You are meeting your friend – du triffst deinen Freund. The possesive pronoun (deinen) is in the accusative case. Essen (to eat) – Ich esse gerne Pizza. (I like to eat pizza.) Lesen (to read) – Sie liest ein Buch. (She is reading a book.) Spielen (to play) – Wir spielen Fußball im Park. (We are playing soccer in the park.)   Being Verbs (sein-Verben) In contrast, “sein-Verben” describe a state of being, existence, or identity. These verbs don’t describe physical actions, but instead focus on how something is, rather than what it does. The most important being verb in German is “sein” (to be), which is used to describe identity, condition, or state of existence. For example, “Ich bin müde” (I am tired) or “Er ist ein Lehrer” (He is a teacher). Being verbs (especially “sein” – to be) usually do not take a direct object in the traditional sense. Instead, they often introduce a predicate nominative, meaning the subject is linked to a noun or adjective that describes or identifies it. This type of construction typically requires the Nominativ (nominative) case. Sein (to be) – Du bist mein bester Freund. (You are my best friend – male form.) The adjective (bester) is in the nominative case Sein (to be) – Ich bin Lehrer. (I am a teacher) Werden (to become) – Er wird Arzt. (He will become a doctor.) Bleiben (to stay) – Sie bleibt zu Hause. (She is staying at home.)   The verbs change their form depending on the Pronoun before the verb. These are words like I, me, she, you, it, they, and us. In English we use I am hungry but he is hungry. In German all verbs change depending on the pronoun, not just the sein (is/am) Hilfsverb.Examples of relative pronouns are: which, that, whose, whoever, whomever, who and whom, and many Pronoun Verb haben (have) Hillfsverb Verb sein (is)Hillfsverb Verb komme Vollverb Verb wollen (want to) Modalverb Ich (I) habe bin komme will du (you) hast bist kommst willst er, sie, es (he, she, it) hat ist kommt will wir (we) haben sind kommen wollen Ihr (you) habt seid kommt wollt Sie (they) haben sind kommen wollen Sie (Formal you) haben sind kommen wollen Conjugation Verb conjugation is the process of changing a verb to indicate different aspects such as tense, mood, voice, aspect, person, and number. In essence, it involves altering the form of a verb to match the subject of the sentence. This helps to convey information about when an action is taking place, who is performing the action, and other details.  For example, in English, the verb “to be” conjugates as follows: I am You are He/she/it is We are You are They are Conjugated verbs are used to express the characteristics of person, number, tense, voice and mode in the German language. Conjugation is the creation of derived forms of a verb. Conjugated verbs are used to express the characteristics of person, number, tense, voice and mode in the German language. https://www.verbformen.com/conjugation/ In the German conjugation (Konjugation) system one can distinguish three main types of verbs: 1. Regelmäßige/Schwachen Verben (Regular verbs) Regular verbs in German follow a predictable conjugation pattern based on their infinitive form (the basic form of the verb, like “sprechen” – to speak). When conjugated in different tenses or with different subjects, regular verbs undergo consistent changes, but the root of the verb generally remains the same. The key to regular verb conjugation is the way endings are added to the verb stem (the part of the verb without the “en” at the end). The root vowel in regular verbs does not change during conjugation, unlike irregular verbs (which often have vowel shifts). Tense Verb Conjugation (Ich) Translation Präsens (Present) Ich mache I make / I am making Präteritum (Simple Past) Ich machte I made / I did Perfekt (Present Perfect) Ich habe gemacht I have made / I did Plusquamperfekt (Past Perfect) Ich hatte gemacht I had made Futur I (Future) Ich werde machen I will make / I will be making Futur II (Future Perfect) Ich werde gemacht haben I will have made Unregelmäßige/Starke Verben (Irregular verbs) Irregular verbs in German do not follow the typical verb conjugation pattern, so they require special attention when learning the language.  They often change their stem vowel in the past tense and sometimes in the present tense. Their endings can also vary.ich gehe – ich ging – ich bin gegangenHere are a few examples of irregular verbs in German with their infinitive form, simple past form, and past participle form: Sein (to be) Infinitive: sein Simple Past: war Past Participle: gewesen Haben (to have)  Infinitive: haben Simple Past: hatte Past Participle: gehabt  Gehen (to go) Infinitive: gehen Simple Past: ging Past Participle: gegangen  Sehen (to see) Infinitive: sehen Simple Past: sah Past Participle: gesehen 3. Gemischte Verben (mixed conjugation) Mixed Verbs also change the root vowel, but have regular endings.ich denke – ich dachte – ich habe gedacht Comparing Regular vs. Irregular Verbs: Regular Verb Example: machen (to make) Präsens: Ich mache, Du machst, Er macht Präteritum: Ich machte, Du machtest, Er machte Perfekt:

Master the Language. Embrace the Culture. Embarking on the journey to learn German can be approached in various ways to suit your lifestyle and goals. Online platforms offer the convenience of flexible language courses, while mobile apps make learning easy wherever you are. For a more interactive experience, attending in-person classes can provide practical lessons and opportunities to practice with others. On this page European Language Framework In Germany, the European Language Framework (CEFR) is widely used to assess language proficiency. This framework helps learners understand their current skill level, identify areas for improvement, and work towards internationally recognized certifications. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to refine your skills, there’s a path to mastering German that fits your needs. Level Group Level Description ABasic user A1Breakthrough or beginner Can understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases aimed at the satisfaction of needs of a concrete type. Can introduce themselves and others and can ask and answer questions about personal details such as where they live, people they know and things they have. Can interact in a simple way provided the other person talks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help. A2Waystage or elementary Can understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of most immediate relevance (e.g. very basic personal and family information, shopping, local geography, employment). Can communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters. Can describe in simple terms aspects of their background, immediate environment and matters in areas of immediate need. BIndependent user B1Threshold or intermediate Can understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc. Can deal with most situations likely to arise while traveling in an area where the language is spoken. Can produce simple connected text on topics that are familiar or of personal interest. Can describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes and ambitions and briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans. B2Vantage or upper intermediate Can understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in their field of specialization. Can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for either party. Can produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options. CProficient user C1Effective operational proficiency or advanced Can understand a wide range of demanding, longer clauses, and recognize implicit meaning. Can express ideas fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions. Can use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes. Can produce clear, well-structured, detailed text on complex subjects, showing controlled use of organizational patterns, connectors and cohesive devices. C2Mastery or proficiency Can understand with ease virtually everything heard or read. Can summarize information from different spoken and written sources, reconstructing arguments and accounts in a coherent presentation. Can express themselves spontaneously, very fluently and precisely, differentiating finer shades of meaning even in the most complex situations. Online Courses Online German courses are becoming increasingly popular among students and professionals who wish to improve their language skills. If you are considering taking a German course online, you may be pleased to know that several institutions offer high-quality language instruction. These courses typically cover a range of language competencies, including reading, writing, speaking, and listening comprehension.  VHS-lernportal is free to use Goethe Deutsche Welle DW.com – Nicos Weg www.deutsch-uni.com www.alumniportal-deutschland.org Lingoda Deutsch Akademie LerneDeutsch For small school going children – Scoyo Udemy offers thousands of courses for learning German. The following were recommended to us: A.1.1, A1.2,  A2.1, A2.2  Kevin Gründel – Udemy Native German Language teacher Learn German in South Africa The following institutions offer traditional classroom courses which provide face-to-face interactions with instructors and peers. You will have the opportunity to learn German in a supportive and structured environment, with experienced instructors who will guide you through every step of the process.  Goethe Institute Johannesburg The German Language & Cultural Institute Study German in Germany The best way to learn any language is by attending classes and practising it in a real-life setting. Not only do these classes enhance your language skills, but they also expose you to German culture and open doors to new friendships and experiences.  Local Volkshochschule – VHS Berlitz Language school Integration course   If you received your residence permit after January 1, 2005, and cannot communicate at a basic or adequate level in German, you may be required to attend an integration course. This requirement is determined by the immigration office when your residence permit is issued. If you are receiving citizens’ benefits and are instructed by the relevant office to participate in an integration course, attendance is mandatory. Cost Exemptions and Reimbursements Exemptions from Costs:If you receive citizens’ benefits, unemployment benefits, or assistance to cover living expenses, you can apply for an exemption from course fees. Additionally, those facing financial or personal hardships may also qualify for an exemption. Reimbursement of Costs:If you pass the final test of the integration course within two years (or three years for special target groups) from the date your Eligibility Certificate (Teilnahmeberechtigung) was issued, you may be eligible to have half your course fees reimbursed. This requires completing and submitting an application to the appropriate branch office. For detailed information, visit the BAMF website or the BAMF NAvI website. Where to register and write the exams To be recognised for German integration courses, permanent residency, or citizenship, your B1 or B2 language exam must be from a provider that is officially recognised by the BAMF (Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge) and accepted by your local Ausländerbehörde. Here’s where you can take such exams: Volkshochschule (VHS) Your local adult education centre Offers telc and Goethe exams Also offers preparation courses and integration courses Learn More Goethe-Institut Offers Goethe-Zertifikat B1 and B2 Widely accepted for citizenship and residency Locations: Across Germany and