StoryLearning German Uncovered
Summary
StoryLeaning German Uncovered comes from Olly Richards, the creator of the super popular polyglot blog. It’s quite a bit different than most courses as it revolves around an engaging story. It can be a bit more challenging than other courses, as you begin reading somewhat long texts right off the bat. Overall, I found it to be a more fun way to approach language learning that will be great for some but not ideal for others.
The instruction is clear but can have too much information crammed into a single lesson.
You’ll practice every aspect of the language.
It has a pretty high price, but if you stick with it, you’ll get good value from it.
I Like
- Centering the lessons around a story makes learning more fun.
- Good clear instruction with lots of opportunities to practive what you’ve learned.
- Gets students to actively participate and take control of their own learning.
I Don’t Like
- Too many unrelated grammar points are included in the grammar lessons.
- The review quiz is too short.
Price
A one-time purchase costs $297. There’s also a 7-day free trial.
The StoryLearning Method involves teaching grammar and vocabulary within the context of a short story. Stories mix German vocabulary and grammar points together so that connections can be made between what a word means and how it is used, which research into language development shows is more useful than individual vocabulary points.
German Uncovered course structure
Each course is based around a story, with each section taking you through one of the story’s ten chapters. Each chapter has six lessons associated with it:
Story Chapter
Not included in the lesson count, you will listen to a chapter from the story and read along with a German transcript. Don’t worry if you don’t understand it, because an English translation is provided.
Vocabulary Lesson
This white-board style lesson covers the important new words introduced in each chapter. This lesson helps you expand your vocabulary and understand the meaning and usage of these words in context.
Grammar Lesson
The same format as the vocabulary lesson, you will cover the most essential grammar concepts from the story chapter. By focusing on these key elements, you can enhance your understanding of the language’s structure and improve your overall proficiency.
Pronunciation Lesson
Taught by a native speaker, the pronunciation lesson teaches the specific sounds of German and provides guidance on how to correctly pronounce words from the chapter.
Communication
In this segment, you will delve into real-life situations where the language is actively employed. Through immersing yourself in genuine language samples, you will elevate your ability to understand and receive guidance on expressing yourself more organically during conversations.
Culture Lesson
Throughout every session, you will uncover fascinating cultural insights about German speaking countries. From rule keeping to attitudes to immigration, you will gain valuable knowledge that will greatly enrich your language learning journey.
Speaking Activities
These activities are specifically designed for dialogue with a teacher or tutor, although they can also be employed independently. They offer valuable opportunities to engage in spoken language practice, allowing you to enhance your proficiency in articulating words and phrases with greater ease and confidence.
Things to consider before buying the Storylearning German Uncovered course
Before making the decision to purchase the StoryLearning Uncovered German Course, it’s important to take several factors into consideration:
Your Learning Style
The StoryLearning Uncovered German Course utilizes storytelling as its central learning tool. If you find narrative-based learning engaging and enjoyable, this course may be a suitable choice. However, if you prefer a more traditional instructional approach or require visual aids for better comprehension, it may be worth exploring alternative options.
Your Commitment and Time Availability
Evaluate the amount of time you can dedicate to the course. The StoryLearning Uncovered German Course demands consistent commitment to studying and completing various components such as video lessons, vocabulary exercises, grammar lessons, and speaking activities. Ensure you have sufficient time and motivation to actively engage with all the course materials.
Your Budget
Take into account the cost of the course. Consider the price of the StoryLearning Uncovered German Course and compare it to other available German language learning resources. Assess the expected value and benefits you anticipate gaining from the course in relation to its cost. See below for more information on cost.
By carefully considering these factors, you can make an informed decision about whether the StoryLearning Uncovered German Course aligns with your learning preferences, time availability, and budgetary considerations.
Features and Benefits of the StoryLearning German Unconvered Course
In addition to the lessons, StoryLearning Uncovered German hosts a private Community Group (accessed using your StoryLearning Uncovered account). This works a little like a Facebook feed, where you can post questions and comments to other German learners as well as StoryLearning’s teachers, who are willing and able to (asynchronously) answer any questions you may have. Quite often, learning a language online can feel isolating, and so taking advantage of a group of learners will give you ways to feel less alone in your learning journey.
Vocabulary is covered thematically, giving you a context for each new word. Words are explored via a video, where they are pronounced so that you understand how to say them, and then English translations are given. Where the course assumes prior knowledge, it points this out to help reinforce the meaning of new items of vocabulary and to revisit things you already know.
The video lessons are delivered bilingually in English and German, by a native German speaking teacher, giving you an authentic voice to copy as you practice your pronunciation.
Olly, Story Learning’s founder, has also produced videos to help navigate some of the pinch-points of language learning. Olly’s videos on “Language Mastery” are helpful in giving tips for pushing through to the next level, as you would expect from a speaker of eight languages with a Master’s Degree in Applied Linguistics.
Cost and Payment Structures for German Uncovered
Complete access to the German Uncovered course will run you US$297. But, if you are committed to learning German with the StoryLearning method, there are bundle deals with huge discounts you might want to look into.
You also get a risk free, 30-day money back guarantee, which means you’re not running any risks on finding that the course doesn’t work for you.
Alternatives to the Storylearning German Uncovered Course
SmarterGerman
If you are wanting to learn German, I mean, REALLY LEARN German, give SmarterGerman a try. It is as good as an expensive in-person institute in Germany, but the lessons come right to your home, on demand! The founder of SmarterGerman, Michael Schmitz, is an excellent teacher and he has an ongoing robust support group where you can keep your motivation up.
We find SmarterGerman’s approach effective, and the way Michael explains how German differs from English is especially helpful. It comes with a no-questions-asked money back guarantee.
Germanpod101
If you would rather an app-based approach rather than a literary approach, then GermanPod101 might be a better fit for you. Germanpod101 is an online language learning platform that offers comprehensive resources for studying German.
It provides a wide range of audio and video lessons, interactive exercises, vocabulary tools, and cultural insights to help learners develop their German language skills. The platform offers lessons at various proficiency levels, from absolute beginners to advanced learners.
Each lesson is designed to be engaging and practical, covering topics such as grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, and cultural aspects of the German-speaking world. GermanPod101 incorporates a variety of learning materials, including audio dialogues, lesson notes, flashcards, and quizzes, to cater to different learning styles. The lessons are structured in a systematic way, allowing learners to progress gradually and build upon their knowledge.
Pimsleur German
Alternatively, if you want a focus on conversation skills over grammar rules, you might want to check out the Pimsleur German app. Based on the methods of Dr. Paul Pimsleur, a renowned linguist, the app focuses on oral proficiency and conversational skills, making it an ideal choice for learners who prioritize speaking and understanding German in real-life situations. The Pimsleur method utilizes scientifically proven techniques, such as spaced repetition and organic learning, to ensure efficient language acquisition.
Conclusion
The StoryLearning Uncovered German Course offers a captivating and efficient approach to learning German. Although it may have a higher price compared to other platforms, the extensive and comprehensive instruction, combined with its contextualized teaching approach, makes it a more cost-effective alternative to hiring a personal tutor for a similar duration. Additionally, the inclusion of an online group provides a valuable opportunity to practice newly acquired language skills with fellow learners, fostering connections and friendships with people from various parts of the globe.
We have lots of ideas for your perfect language learning journey. Check out our “Best Way To Learn German“, “The 20 Best Online German Courses Tested & Rated“, and “Best Apps For Learning German – We Tested Over 35 Of Them“.