Introduction to German

Ordering at a café in Berlin, asking for directions or reading the headlines on a newsstand: it all starts with a few good phrases. In Introduction to German, you'll practice speaking live with instructor Aaron Miller and fellow beginners, from greetings and when to use Sie or du to numbers, prices and getting around. By the end, you'll be able to introduce yourself, order food and drinks, and build simple present-tense sentences with correct German word order. Built for adults with little to no German who want a solid start for travel or further study.

The German Alphabet and Pronunciation Learn to pronounce and write the German alphabet, including its distinctive characters ä, ö, ü, and ß, so you can sound out new words and read them with confidence.

Greetings and Introductions Introduce yourself, strike up a conversation, and learn the customs around greetings, including when to use the formal Sie and the familiar du.

Numbers, Dates, and Times Count, use numbers for prices and schedules, and talk about the calendar and the weather.

Ordering and Shopping Order food and drinks at a café or restaurant and handle everyday purchases with confidence.

Getting Around Ask for and follow directions, and read the street signs, transit information, and headlines you'll see in German-speaking cities.

Everyday Conversation Talk about transportation, sports, and entertainment while building correct sentences with German word order and present-tense verbs.