Business German resources

[Soclydeza]

I'm starting a new job in a couple of weeks which involves me dealing with clients a bit auf Deutsch. Most of my knowledge of German at this point is kind of all-around, but I'd like to get my hands on something that focuses specifically on business interactions (anything engineering related is a plus). I'm looking for B2+ materials, native, podcasts, books, etc., even a structured program will do. I will be getting help from my tutor as well, but I'm just looking for something for personal study. Any ideas?

[schlaraffenland]

Hueber produces some nice series for exactly this purpose. In fact, there's even a volume specifically for engineers in the workplace as part of the Hueber Beruf lineup.

I wouldn't be in the position to evaluate the book above, but I did look once through the more general-purpose Deutsch in der Firma. It has exactly the kinds of idiomatic renderings one would hope for but probably wouldn't just be able to dream up oneself. There's a short audio sample for this book on the website, too.

[Soclydeza]

Hueber produces some nice series for exactly this purpose. In fact, there's even a volume specifically for engineers in the workplace as part of the Hueber Beruf lineup.

I wouldn't be in the position to evaluate the book above, but I did look once through the more general-purpose Deutsch in der Firma. It has exactly the kinds of idiomatic renderings one would hope for but probably wouldn't just be able to dream up oneself. There's a short audio sample for this book on the website, too.

Wow... I was expecting some helpful materials but didn't expect do get exactly what I'm looking for, thank you! I'm surprised I've never come across these already, I've looked at Hueber's materials before. Thanks again!

[aokoye]

In addition to the book published by Hueber, there's also a book called Deutsch für Ingenieure: Ein DaF-Lehrwerk für Studierende ingenieurwissenschaftlicher Fächer though I think it is primarily aimed at current or future engineering students.

[Chung]

I'm starting a new job in a couple of weeks which involves me dealing with clients a bit auf Deutsch. Most of my knowledge of German at this point is kind of all-around, but I'd like to get my hands on something that focuses specifically on business interactions (anything engineering related is a plus). I'm looking for B2+ materials, native, podcasts, books, etc., even a structured program will do. I will be getting help from my tutor as well, but I'm just looking for something for personal study. Any ideas?

In addition to what's previously mentioned, DW's Marktplatz could be up your alley although the content dates from 1991. There's also another potential source for practice in telc's Einfach besser! Deutsch für den Beruf B1·B2 which seems to be meant for courses preparing those wanting to take telc Deutsch B1·B2 Beruf exam. There's even a practice test with audio under "Übungsmaterial" (FWIW telc also offers exams in business German at B2+, B2/C1 (if you pass then you get at least B2 - score better and you get C1) and C1. telc offers a practice exam with audio for each of these levels under "Übungsmaterial". Schubert Verlag put out Entscheidungen - Deutsch als Geschäfts- und Verhandlungssprache which is meant for those at C1 and C2. All of these are more for business than engineering as the titles indicate.

I don't know which branch of engineering will be your focus, but it might be worth looking into Duden's pictorial dictionary, if you don't already have it. I have something similar for French and that thing is great with its detailed diagrams of machinery and parts all labelled with their French terms.

Have a look also at this list of suggested textbooks for learning German for work purposes (in particular those titles under "Technik und Industrie").

For my part, I've picked up some business German material published by Hueber and Schubert to change things a bit from working with all-purpose textbooks for foreigners. I haven't started working with this business material yet, but browsing it makes me keen to learn the language based on situations that I've experienced in my Anglosphere work environment at one time or another even when the advertised level (a couple of my books are actually for A2+) is below my ability. I still see the value of exposure to German, contrived as it can be at times.