English Breakthrough for Germans

Have you ever spoken English and felt that your grammar was correct, but something still sounded a little strange? In this episode, I talk about one of the most important aspects of language learning that many learners overlook: collocations. Collocations are words that naturally go together. Native speakers don't usually build sentences word by word. Instead, they rely on thousands of ready-made combinations, phrases and language chunks that make communication faster, clearer and more natural. Using examples from my German lessons, we'll look at why sentences such as "Ich kämpfe mit Podcasts" or "In Deutschland gibt es keinen echten Kuchen" sound unusual to native speakers, even though the grammar is perfectly correct. You'll learn: • What collocations are and why they matter • Why learning single words is often not enough • Common vocabulary mistakes German speakers make in English • How language chunks help native speakers communicate so efficiently • Practical ways to notice and learn collocations more effectively If you'd like to sound more natural and communicate with greater confidence, this episode is for you. As always, the transcript is available free of charge on Patreon. -> https://www.patreon.com/cw/englishbreakthroughforgermans Enjoy the episode!

Last week I spent a week teaching an intensive English course at a Berlin Volkshochschule. After five days in the classroom, I was reminded of some of the biggest challenges facing English learners in Germany. In this episode, we talk about: • Why reading is easier than speaking • Why learners get overwhelmed by vocabulary • How to prepare for spontaneous conversation • The dangers of translating directly from German • Why language learning is more like sport or music than school subjects • The role of pronunciation reductions in listening comprehension • Why AI can never fully replace human interaction As someone who reached C2 in German as an adult and has spent 15 years teaching languages, I'll share practical insights that can help you take control of your English learning and become a more independent learner. Patreon link: https://www.patreon.com/cw/englishbreakthroughforgermans

Many learners spend years studying grammar but still struggle to understand native speakers. In this episode, I explain why vocabulary may be the missing piece and share practical advice from one of the world's leading experts on language learning, Paul Nation. You'll learn: • Why vocabulary matters more than most learners realise • The role of repetition, frequency and context • Why graded readers can accelerate your progress • How I accidentally ended up in a B2 German course far too early • Why good grammar alone isn't enough for effective communication   Link to my Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/cw/englishbreakthroughforgermans

How do you actually learn vocabulary in a foreign language? In this episode, Mike shares funny and memorable stories from his own German-learning journey to explain why simply translating words from your first language isn’t enough to become fluent. You’ll learn about register, natural language use, and why reading plays such an important role in developing real intuition for English. Mike also talks about a recent trip to Bavaria, mountain hiking, hammocks, and what he’s currently learning from one of the biggest names in English language teaching.   Here is the link to this week's Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/posts/159303782?pr=true

Click here for my Patreon page — https://www.patreon.com/c/englishbreakthroughforgermans In Part 2 of this episode, I talk about what happened after I moved to Berlin in 2011 and how my German really started to improve. I explain how reading books, listening to audiobooks, watching films with subtitles, and reading aloud helped me become more fluent. I also share why Harry Potter became such an important part of my language learning journey and why I believe that sound and listening are more important than grammar explanations alone. At the end of the episode, I explain why I think these strategies work so well and how you can apply them to your own language learning.    

How do people actually become fluent in another language? In Part 1 of How to learn a foreign language, I explain how my own German-learning journey began — from school classes in Australia to discovering Berlin and immersing myself in authentic German content. I talk about why subtitles, repetition, and natural interaction are so important for language learning, and I recommend several children’s shows that helped me improve my listening skills naturally.

In this episode of the English Breakthrough for Germans podcast, I shares key insights from an international English teaching conference in the UK. If you’ve ever felt stuck learning English, this episode is for you. Instead of focusing only on grammar and vocabulary, Mike explores what actually helps learners become fluent and independent.   You’ll learn: Why I believe many students don’t reach their language goals Why listening is so important How reading aloud can improve your speaking Why your accent doesn’t matter as much as you think Mike is an Australian language teacher based in Berlin, with over 12 years of experience teaching English and German. He also shares practical strategies from his own journey learning multiple languages.

Are you a German speaker who is stuck in your language learning journey? Join me in this first episode of the English Breakthrough for Germans podcast as I explain four reasons why I am starting the podcast.