Download - How to Speak German in 30 Days - Why Mark Twain was Wrong

How to Learn German

in 30 DaysThe Revolution of German Learning

by smarterGerman

© 2013 Michael Schmitz

–Mark Twain

„… a gifted person ought to learn English … in thirty hours, French

in thirty days, and German in thirty years.“

He meant „thirty days“.


–Michael Schmitz

Some Facts

There are 14 mio German learners world wide

Most of them learn in a group setting

Language of instruction in Germany: German

It usually takes 6 mo or 480 lessons from A1 —> B1

B1 from scratch (group) costs 1.200€-7.200€ + © 2013 Michael Schmitz

The Sad TruthLanguage Groups are highly inefficient


The Cause of the Problem

10 students >> 10 goals and interests

different learning speed

no significant individual correction (+ pronunciation)

lots of bad German from fellow students/you

grammar explained in German© 2013 Michael Schmitz

Why are groups so popular?

• low monthly/hourly rates (mo: 80€-1.200€ / h: 1€-15€ )

• a lot of lessons for one’s money (up to 400h) • shyness to speak • German = difficult = long time • many students = good school

Not a single good reason


What is wrong with it?

• lower rates << lower quality • more lessons = worse • speaking means to overcome shyness • German is not difficult at all • expectations are low

It’s time for a change


How sG gains 80% Speed

Individual or couple tutoring only

Instructions and explanations in clear English

Focus on elemental but sufficient structures

Using memory-techniques

Intelligent course design << psychology, rationality© 2013 Michael Schmitz

sG any groupfull attention minimal attention

~100% understanding (immediately)

0-75% understanding (progressive)

memory techniques inefficient techniques

50% native input 10% native input

30h until B1 (2 months)

360h until B1 (6 months)

2.800 € 1.200€-7.200€
