I decided not to use GermanPod101. I originally wanted to try it because I remembered enjoying ChinesePod101 when I studied Mandarin in 2015. I also saw that GermanPod101 has a series of videos on German pronunciation, which I thought looked helpful. However, after watching a couple of the videos, I don’t think they’re worth the subscription. So no more GermanPod101!
I’ve been feeling a little bit lost when it comes to German. Part of that is because I’m still focusing on the novel I’m writing, so German isn’t my priority. But it’s hard for me to remember what it’s like to start a language, even though I started French less than two years ago. (Has the pandemic warped my perception of time?) Thank goodness for the language logs I’ve been keeping on this forum! Yesterday I reread my entries from the autumn of 2019, when I started French, and it all started coming back to me. So I’ve updated the list of German resources I want to use for now:
- Coffee Break German
- FSI German: A Programmed Introduction
- Pimsleur German
I finally downloaded the Pimsleur app the other day, and I was pleasantly surprised by how modern it looks—I’m used to the old CDs from the library. And I was even more pleased by the new subscription model: for $20/month, I can get access to all 150 German lessons! I’m not going to start the subscription until I get back from my trip, but I’m excited.
Also, I think I found two potential iTalki tutors! This is what they mentioned in their iTalki bios, which stood out to me:
- Also enjoy studying languages
- Accept complete beginners
- Teach self-motivated adults
- Lessons focus on conversation
- Will write down vocab in a Google doc (which I can use to make flashcards)
And another perk is that both tutors charge about 1/4 the price that my French tutor charged.
I’m leaving for my trip tomorrow, but I’m very happy that my German plan is starting to come together!