The infinitive in German (um…zu, ohne… zu)
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Lesson outline
Hide- 1.What is the infinitive?
- 2.Infinitive sentences with 'zu' in German
- 2.1.The structure with 'um ... zu'
- 2.1.1.Infinitive sentence with 'damit'
- 2.2.The structure with 'ohne ... zu'
- 2.3.The structure with 'anstatt .. zu'
- 2.4.The structure with 'als ... zu'
- 2.5.Table of main verbs introducing the infinitive
- 2.6.Table of expressions introducing infinitive sentences
- 2.7.How to form infinitive sentences in an alternative way
- 3.The infinitive group without the preposition 'zu'
- 4.Particularities and deepening
- 4.1.With separable verbs
- 4.2.With reflexive verbs
- 5.Infinitive sentence or construction with 'dass'?
- 6.Change of meaning with or without 'zu' in German
- 7.Exercises
- 7.1.Fill in the blanks exercise for infinitive sentences with 'zu'
- 7.2.Fill in the blanks exercise for infinitive sentences with and without 'zu'
- 7.3.Multiple choice exercise for infinitive sentences
What is the infinitive?
The basic form of a verb, which means the unconjugated form, is called infinitive. In German, there are some constructions of sentences, which always use the infinitive of a verb. This chapter will show you all the different constructions and how to use them in the correct way.
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Infinitive sentences with 'zu' in German
The construction with 'zu + infinitive' is used quite often in German and can be tranlated into english like 'in order to' or just 'to'. For instance, this constructions is often used when a sentence consists of two verbs. There are alway two possibilities of constructing the sentence: with and without 'zu'.
- Ich hoffe, ich kann die Prüfung schaffen. (I hope, I can pass the exam.)
- Ich hoffe, die Prüfung zu schaffen. (I hope to pass the exam.)
Those constructions with 'zu' are always subordinate clauses without a direct object.
There are some typical ways to use 'zu' with an infinitive. See some examples in the table below.
| Way to use 'zu' | Examples | Translation |
|---|---|---|
With a prepostition:
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| In combination with declarative sentences |
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| Within some typical sentences (haben + noun) |
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| In combination with a reflexive verb |
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| In combination with an adjective |
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In some rare cases, the subordinate clause with 'zu' can stand in the beginning of the sentence.
- Ohne mich zu fragen, hat sie mein Handy geliehen. (Without asking me, she borrowed my mobile.)
- Um die Prüfung zu bestehen, musst du dir Mühe geben! (To pass the exam, you have to take care of doing so.)
The structure with 'um ... zu'
The strucure with 'um .. zu' is used to express purposes or aims. With separable verbs, the zu preposition is interposed between the prefix and the stem of the verb. (e.g. aushalten (to stand) = auszuhalten.) The construction can usually be translated into English by 'in order to' or just 'to'.
For example:
Ich fahre nach Deutschland, um Deutsch zu lernen. (I go to Germany, in order to learn German.)
Wir stehen um 7 Uhr auf, um Sport zu treiben. (We wake up at seven, to do some sports.)
Er hört Musik, um sich abzulenken. (He hears music, to take his eyes off the ball.)
Infinitive sentence with 'damit'
To express an intention or purpose we can also use the construction with damit (so that). This preposition introduces an infinitive sentence but never holds the preposition 'zu'. The preposition 'zu' is missing, but the verb at the end is also in infinitive.
For example:
- Ich fahre nach Deutschland, damit ich Deutsch lernen kann. (I go to Germany, so that I can learn German.
- Wir stehen um 7 Uhr auf, damit wir Sport machen. (We wake up at seven, so that we can do some sports.)
- Er hört Musik, damit er sich ablenken kann. (He hears music, so that he can take his eyes off the ball.)
When the subjects of the main sentence and the subordinate sentence are different, you can only use the construction with a 'damit':
- Der Lehrer organisiert oft Gruppenarbeiten, damit die Schüler zusammenarbeiten können. (The teacher often organizes group work, so that the students can work together.)
- Ich helfe meiner Mutter, damit sie ihre Freizeit mehr genießen kann. (I help my mother, so she can enjoy her free time more.)
When you use two verbs in the subordinate sentence (like 'genießen kann'), the infinitive is the second last word in the sentence and is before the conjugated verb!
The structure with 'ohne ... zu'
Also the structure with 'ohne .. zu' introduces an infinitive sentence. In English, this structure is used as 'without + Gerundium'.
- Man kann diese Aufgabe schaffen, ohne sich Mühe zu geben. (One can succeed this exercise, without taking trouble.)
- Ich habe die Miete bezahlt, ohne den Vertrag zu unterschreiben. (I payed the rent, without signing the contract.)
The structure with 'anstatt .. zu'
To express something oppositional in German, you can use a sentence with '(an)statt ... zu' . It can be translated into English as 'instead of ..'. It is also used with the gerund after 'anstatt'.
- Wir senden eine Email, anstatt einen Brief zu schreiben. (We send an e-mail, instead of writing a letter.)
- Du isst Süßigkeiten, anstatt gesund zu essen. (You're eating sweets, instead of eating healthy.)
- Statt zu arbeiten, spielen sie. (Instead of working, they play.)
The structure with 'als ... zu'
The construction of 'als ... zu' is mainly used as 'anstatt ... zu' to express oppisitional actions. It can be translated as 'rather than'.
- Es ist gesünder zu laufen, als mit dem Auto zu fahren. (It's healthier to go by food, rather than to go by car.)
- Wir gehen lieber shoppen, als zu lernen. (We would rather go shopping, than studying.)
Table of main verbs introducing the infinitive
There are some verbs that are typically used in infinitive sentences. See the words and the examples below to get a further understanding of it. The infinitive will always be italicised.
| Verb | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| anfangen | Klara fängt an, den Dachboden aufzuräumen. | Klara starts cleaning up the attic. |
| aufhören | Hör endlich auf, den anderen die Schuld zu geben. | Finally stop blaming the others. |
| beabsichtigen | Wir beabsichtigen, nächstes Jahr den Kölner Dom zu besichtigen. | We plan to visit the dome of Cologne next year. |
| beginnen | Die Bären beginnen, sich auf den Winterschlaf vorzubereiten. | The bears start preparing theirselves for the hibernation. |
| sich bemühen | Er bemüht sich, auch im größten Stress gelassen zu bleiben. | He struggles to stay calm even if he's in full stress. |
| beschließen | Julia hat beschlossen, ein Semester im Ausland zu verbringen. | Julia decided, to stay abroad for one semester. |
| bitten | Die Kursleiterin bittet die Studierenden, während der Prüfung nicht zu sprechen. | The teacher begs her students not to talk during the exam. |
| erlauben | Hast du Tim erlaubt, alleine mit dem Hund spazieren zu gehen? | Did you allow Tim to go for a walk with the dog on his own? |
| sich erinnern | Ich habe mich daran erinnert, dir zum Geburtstag zu gratulieren. | I remembered myself to wish you a happy birthday. |
| sich entschließen | Er entschließt sich, das Studium abzubrechen. | He decides to break up his studies. |
| glauben | Glaubt ihr wirklich, eines Tages steinreich zu werden? | Do you really believe to be rich one day? |
| helfen | Ich helfe dir gleich, die Wäsche aufzuhängen. | In a minute I will help you to peg out your washing. |
| hoffen | Die Katze hofft, den Schmetterling zu fangen. | The cat hopes to catch the butterfly. |
| planen | Ich habe geplant, ein Erasmussemester in Spanien zu machen. | I have planned to do an Erasmus semester in Spain. |
| scheinen | Er scheint, kein einziges Wort verstanden zu haben. | It seems like he didn't even understand a single word. |
| verbieten | In diesem Park ist es verboten, Feuer zu machen und zu grillen. | In this park it is forbidden to make a fire and to do a barbecue. |
| vergessen | Sie hat vergessen, Sekt für die Geburtstagsfeier einzukaufen. | She forgot to buy sparkling wine for the birthday party. |
| versprechen | Markus versprach Anna, ihr für immer treu zu bleiben. | Markus promised Anna, to remain faithful to her forever. |
| versuchen | Er hat versucht, das Problem zu lösen. | He tried to solve the problem. |
| vorhaben | Hast du vor, nach Australien auszuwandern? | Are you planning to emigrate to Australia? |
| vorwarnen | Ernährungsexperten warnen davor, zu viel Zucker zu essen. | Nutrition experts warn about eating to much sugar. |
| sich weigern | Karl weigerte sich, die Suppe aufzuessen. | Karl refused to eat up the soup. |
Table of expressions introducing infinitive sentences
These are the main expressions used in German to introduce an indefinite sentence. Of yourse, there are more expressions, but these should help to give you an idea about it.
| Expression | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| die Absicht haben | Ich habe die Absicht, nächstes Jahr in den Urlaub zu fahren. | I have the intention, to go on vacation next year. |
| in Betracht ziehen | WIr müssen in Betracht ziehen, in eine neue Wohnung zu ziehen. | We have to take into account to move to a new flat. |
| eine Entscheidung treffen | Wir haben die Entscheidung getroffen, diese Wohnung zu kaufen. | We made the decision, to buy this flat. |
| die Hoffnung haben | Sie haben die Hoffnung, den Hund zu finden. | They have the hope to find the dog. |
| die Neigung haben | Ich habe die Neigung, zu stottern, wenn ich nervös bin. | I tend to stutter, when I'm nervous. |
| ein Versprechen geben | Ich gebe dir das Versprechen, die Wohnung zu putzen. | I promise to clean the flat. |
How to form infinitive sentences in an alternative way
In German, it is also possible, to transform a noun into a verb and then use it in combination with the preposition 'zu'. See some examples below. Therefore, there are two different options, to use an infinitive sentence.
| Infinitive sentence without 'zu' | Infinitive sentence with 'zu' |
|---|---|
| Zum Schutz vor dem Regen, hat sie einen Regenschirm benutzt. (As a protection against the storm, she used an umbrella.) | Sie hat einen Regenschirm benutzt, um sich vor dem Regen zu schützen. (She used an umbrella, to protect herself from the rain.) |
| Zur Entspannung hört er gute Musik. (For relaxion, he listens to good music.) | Er hört gute Musik, um sich zu entspannen. (He listens to good music, to relax.) |
| Zum Lesen braucht man gutes Licht. (For reading, you need good light.) | Man braucht gutes Licht, um zu lesen. (You need good light, to read.) |
The infinitive group without the preposition 'zu'
There are also certain situations, where the verb is not preceeded by the preposition 'zu', but nevertheless is in infinitive. This is the case, if there exist two verbs in the sentence. In the table below you can find the situations and some examples.
| Situation | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|
In combination with modal verbs:
+ wissen |
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With verbs that describe perceptions or conditions:
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With verbs of movement:
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| With the verb lassen |
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| With the verb lernen |
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| With the verb bleiben (in the meaning of not changing the situation) |
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| With the verbs finden and haben (In combination with expressions of place) |
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| For making commands (Like in imperative) |
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Particularities and deepening
There are some peculiarities regarding the construction of infinite sentences. You will find them in the following chapters.
With separable verbs
The first particularity is with seperable verbs, which means, that the verb consists of one verb stem and a prefix infront of the verb (e.g. ab-reisen, an-fertigen). All of this verbs can also stand alone, without the prefix. In this case, the preposition 'zu' comes between the prefix and the infinitive of the verb.
| Seperable verb | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| ein-schlafen | Ich versuche, einzuschlafen. | I try to fall asleep. |
| an-rufen | Ich verspreche dir, dich anzurufen. | I promise you, to call you. |
| an-fangen | Ich bin nicht bereit, an fangen. | I'm not ready to start. |
In situations where the infinitive is not preceded by the preposition 'zu' (see above), the infinitive of separable verbs remains unchanged, like in the examples in the table below.
| Seperable verb | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| vorbei-kommen | Ich kann heute vorbeikommen. | I can come by today. |
| auf-stehen | Ich werde um 8 Uhr aufstehen. | I will get up at 8 o'clock. |
With reflexive verbs
Reflexive verbs are for example verbs like 'sich vorstellen' (to introduce yourself). In the infinitive group, the reflexive pronoun is placed before the infinitive, whether it is introduced by 'zu' or not. Usually the reflexive pronoun is immediately after the comma, separating the main sentence from the subordinate sentence.
| Reflexive verb | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| sich vorbereiten | Er versucht, sich auf die Prüfung vorzubereiten. | He tries to prepare for the exam. |
| sich entschuldigen | Ich muss mich entschuldigen. | I have to apologize. |
| sich waschen | Es ist wichtig, sich richtig zu waschen. | It is important, to wash properly. |
As you can see, the other rules you learned above, also work with reflexive verbs. In the first example we have a seperable verbs, which is why the preposition 'zu' is between the prefix and the normal verb stem (see above).
Infinitive sentence or construction with 'dass'?
We can choose to express the concept either with the infinitive sentence (with 'zu') or use the subordinate phrase introduced by 'dass' (without the zu). The meaning is unchanged, but in the 'dass'-phrase, we usually don't have an infinitive form of a verb.
- Ich hoffe, dass ich mein Studium bald abschließe. (I hope, that I finish my studies soon.)
- Ich hoffe, mein Studium bald abzuschließen. (I hope to finish my studies soon.)
- Luca freut sich darüber, dass er morgen Besuch bekommt. (Luca is pleased, that he has visitors tomorrow.)
- Luca freut sich darüber, morgen Besuch zu bekommen. (Luca is pleased to have visitors tomorrow.)
Infinitive sentences with 'zu' can only be used if the subjects (of the main and subordinate sentences) are identical. Otherwise the construction with 'dass' is used:
Luca freut sich darüber, morgen Besuch zu bekommen. (Where Luca is the subject in the main and in the subordinate phrase)
Luca freut sich darüber, dass er morgen Besuch bekommt. (Where Luca is the subject of the main sentence, but 'der Besuch' is the subject of the subordinate sentence.)
Other examples are:
- Luca hofft, dass Peter sein Studium bald abschließt. (Luca hopes, that Peter finishes his studies soon.)
- Sie freut sich darüber, dass ihre Schwester sie morgen besucht. (She is pleased that her sister will visit her tomorrow.)
Change of meaning with or without 'zu' in German
There are verbs that can introduce infinitive groups with or without the preposition 'zu'. Depending on the use they change their meaning, so keep attention to this.
| Verb | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| haben |
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| sein |
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| scheinen |
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| brauchen |
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Exercises
- Fill in the blanks exercise for infinitive sentences with 'zu'
- Fill in the blanks exercise for infinitive sentences with and without 'zu'
- Multiple choice exercise for infinitive sentences
Fill in the blanks exercise for infinitive sentences with 'zu'
Fill in the right form of the infinitive mood. Use the words written in the bracklets, to form the subordinate sentence.
Recap: The preposition 'zu' always is in front of the verb and the infinitive is at the end of the full sentence. An exception is given with the forms of seperable verbs, where the preposition comes between the prefix and the verb stem (e.g. aufzuhören.)
Example: Es ist schwer, mit dem Rauchen aufzuhören. (aufhören.) (It's hard, to stop smoking.)
Example: Sie finden es schön, ihren Onkel zu sehen. (sehen) (They love, to see their uncle.)
1. Er denkt nicht daran, sich . (entschuldigen) (He doesn't even think about to apologizing.)
2. Sie bleibt zu Hause, anstatt zur Schule . (Sie stays at home, instead of going to schoo.)
3. Ich bin gelaufen, um Gertrud . (helfen) (I ran in order to help Gertrud.)
4. Sie geht raus, ohne einen Mantel . (anziehen) (She goes out, without putting on a coat.)
5. Er hofft darauf, sein Handy . (wiederfinden) (He hopes to find his mobile.)
6. Er kam ins Zimmer, ohne . (klopfen) (He came into the room without knocking.)
7. Ich verspreche dir, dich oft . (besuchen) (I promise you, to visit you often.)
8. Ich finde es toll, bei euch . (sein) (I like it, being with you.)
9. Sie hat mich gebeten, ihn auch . (einladen) (She asked me, to invite him as well.)
Fill in the blanks exercise for infinitive sentences with and without 'zu'
Fill in the missing words to form a grammatically correct sentence with or without the preposition 'zu'.
Recap: We can choose to express the concept either with
- the infinitive sentence (with 'zu') or
- use the subordinate phrase introduced by 'dass' (without the zu).
While using the construction with 'dass' the preposition 'zu' isn't used. The meaning is unchanged, but in the 'dass'-phrase, we usually don't have an infinitive form of a verb, but a conjugated verb.
Example: Luca freut sich darüber, morgen Besuch zu bekommen. (bekommen) (Luca is pleased to have visitors tomorrow.)
Example: Luca freut sich darüber, dass er morgen Besuch bekommt. (Luca is pleased, that he has visitors tomorrow.)
1. Wir sind gekommen, um uns . (entschuldigen) (We came here, to apologize.)
2. Wusstest du, dass er Deutsch ? (sprechen) (Did you know that he speaks German?)
3. Sie vergaß, mir die Zeitung . (geben) (She forgot, to give me the newspaper.)
4. Ich hoffe, dass er sein Geld . (wiederfinden) (I hope, that he finds his money.)
5. Er hat telefoniert, um seine Freunde einzuladen. (einladen) (He was on the phone, to invite his friends.)
6. Er geht vorbei, ohne Nora zu sehen. (sehen) (We walks by, without seeing Nora.)
7. Wir haben gemalt, anstatt . (lernen) (We painted, intead of studying.)
8. Ich möchte, dass ihr pünktlich . (sein) (I want you to be on time.)
9. Versprecht ihr, meinen Freund auch ? (einladen) (Do you promise, to also invite my friend?)
Multiple choice exercise for infinitive sentences
Exercises
- Fill in the blanks exercise for infinitive sentences with 'zu'
- Fill in the blanks exercise for infinitive sentences with and without 'zu'
- Multiple choice exercise for infinitive sentences
Fill in the blanks exercise for infinitive sentences with 'zu'
Fill in the right form of the infinitive mood. Use the words written in the bracklets, to form the subordinate sentence.
Recap: The preposition 'zu' always is in front of the verb and the infinitive is at the end of the full sentence. An exception is given with the forms of seperable verbs, where the preposition comes between the prefix and the verb stem (e.g. aufzuhören.)
Example: Es ist schwer, mit dem Rauchen aufzuhören. (aufhören.) (It's hard, to stop smoking.)
Example: Sie finden es schön, ihren Onkel zu sehen. (sehen) (They love, to see their uncle.)
1. Er denkt nicht daran, sich . (entschuldigen) (He doesn't even think about to apologizing.)
2. Sie bleibt zu Hause, anstatt zur Schule . (Sie stays at home, instead of going to schoo.)
3. Ich bin gelaufen, um Gertrud . (helfen) (I ran in order to help Gertrud.)
4. Sie geht raus, ohne einen Mantel . (anziehen) (She goes out, without putting on a coat.)
5. Er hofft darauf, sein Handy . (wiederfinden) (He hopes to find his mobile.)
6. Er kam ins Zimmer, ohne . (klopfen) (He came into the room without knocking.)
7. Ich verspreche dir, dich oft . (besuchen) (I promise you, to visit you often.)
8. Ich finde es toll, bei euch . (sein) (I like it, being with you.)
9. Sie hat mich gebeten, ihn auch . (einladen) (She asked me, to invite him as well.)
Fill in the blanks exercise for infinitive sentences with and without 'zu'
Fill in the missing words to form a grammatically correct sentence with or without the preposition 'zu'.
Recap: We can choose to express the concept either with
- the infinitive sentence (with 'zu') or
- use the subordinate phrase introduced by 'dass' (without the zu).
While using the construction with 'dass' the preposition 'zu' isn't used. The meaning is unchanged, but in the 'dass'-phrase, we usually don't have an infinitive form of a verb, but a conjugated verb.
Example: Luca freut sich darüber, morgen Besuch zu bekommen. (bekommen) (Luca is pleased to have visitors tomorrow.)
Example: Luca freut sich darüber, dass er morgen Besuch bekommt. (Luca is pleased, that he has visitors tomorrow.)
1. Wir sind gekommen, um uns . (entschuldigen) (We came here, to apologize.)
2. Wusstest du, dass er Deutsch ? (sprechen) (Did you know that he speaks German?)
3. Sie vergaß, mir die Zeitung . (geben) (She forgot, to give me the newspaper.)
4. Ich hoffe, dass er sein Geld . (wiederfinden) (I hope, that he finds his money.)
5. Er hat telefoniert, um seine Freunde einzuladen. (einladen) (He was on the phone, to invite his friends.)
6. Er geht vorbei, ohne Nora zu sehen. (sehen) (We walks by, without seeing Nora.)
7. Wir haben gemalt, anstatt . (lernen) (We painted, intead of studying.)
8. Ich möchte, dass ihr pünktlich . (sein) (I want you to be on time.)
9. Versprecht ihr, meinen Freund auch ? (einladen) (Do you promise, to also invite my friend?)
Multiple choice exercise for infinitive sentences
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Hello =)
My name is Karolin and since the beginning of 2017, while I was still living in Chile, I've been giving online classes. I really enjoy my work and it gives me the privilage to get to know people from all around the world, which is amazing.
Both in English and in German, I teach classes for beginners and advanced students. I speak Spanish fluently, but as I lived in Chile for around 5 years, both my pronounciation and my choice of words are influenced by that. I learned and teach the european Spanish but only for beginners (A1/A2). But if you don't mind the chilenean influence, I do teach to a higher level as well.
If you'd like to get to know me and my teaching methods, just contact me and we will do a free trial lesson (please do NOT by a lesson before the trial lesson, not every teacher is good for every student).
See you soon!
B. A.
Karolin is very competent, she has a very good way of teaching and simplifying complicated rules, she's also organized and punctual. Highly recommended for whoever wants to learn German!
Karolin G.
Hi, everyone! I'm Marissa. I'm a native speaker of English from the United States. I'm currently living in Istanbul, Turkey and I can speak Turkish. I can also understand basic Spanish. I received my teaching certification in 2011 and I've been teaching ever since. I have experience working with students from all over the world, in language schools, kindergarten, exam preparation centers, and online, not only as a teacher but also as an education coordinator.
I offer my students a very structured program to help them improve their overall English level. In our trial lesson, I will evaluate your level and we will discuss your goals. I will then provide you with a coursebook and supplementary materials suitable for your level and needs. We will use these both together in class and outside of class for homework. We will cover all necessary skills (speaking, listening, reading, writing, grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation) but we will give special attention to whatever your weaknesses may be.
Alternatively, if you are not looking for such an intensive program, I also offer guided conversation practice. I am flexible! Just write me and we can start working on a plan for you. I'm looking forward to meeting you soon. :)
V. F.
Marissa is a very friendly teacher. She adapts her lessons to her students and helps them reach their goals.
This review was written by a coLanguage team member during a manual screening of this teacher profile.
Marissa M.
Brazilian Portuguese for beginners and intermediates
A. S.
Patrick is a Portuguese teacher who has experience with different groups. It has several learning materials that will help you meet different goals and practice speaking!
This review was written by a coLanguage team member during a manual screening of this teacher profile.
Patrick D.
Hello,
my name is Nina, I'm from Austria and I also lived for one year and a half in Canada. I worked there as a German Teacher for adults, so I speak German, English and French.
I also teach English for beginners and advanced beginners.
My teaching methodes are totally based on the level of my student. If somebody is already advanced, I focus on communication and pronunciation. We will arrange on a topic and talk and discuss in the lesson about it.
If my student is a beginner, I'm gonna start with the basics of the German language. (the articles, the verb "to be", the pronouns...)
The learning material is all made by myself, because I'm a German teacher, so that means, I already got lots of working sheets for many topics. I send these to my student via e-mail or put it directly on the coLanguage homepage.
I'm available from Monday to Thursday between 5pm and 08:00 pm. For the weekend it's the best to just send me a request.
Of course is a free trial lesson (it's about 20 minutes) possible.
I'm happy to teach you :-)
See you soon! Nina
D. O.
Sehr Gut lesson. We read some german news, worked on konjugations. Learned new vocab and really worked on pronunciation.
Nina V.
Hallo :) My name is Mihaela and I was born in Switzerland. I have a Bachleor and Master degree as German teacher and more then 5 years experience.
I love languages, because of that I speak also Croatian and English. :)
- ABOUT THE CLASS -
I offer German language lessons for A1, A2, B1, B2 level and they include everything you need: grammar, speaking, writing, pronunciation and vocabulary.
This is ideal for students who want actively participate and speak more, learn new words and exercise the grammar. Or we can learn whatever you need, because I will always adapt to your needs. :)
I will support you during your learning experience and adapt to your learning tempo.
All learning materials and exercises are included and will be provided during the lesson.
The learning material is from various books (Schritte International, Menschen, Sicher im Alltag und Beruf, Begegnungen,...).
H. Z.
Lessons with Mihaela are always well organised. She is undoubtedly proficient in German and can give useful tips. There is plenty of study materials provided. It is always possible to look at these materials even after the lesson since Mihaela writes downs every vocabulary that is discussed. She is always happy to tailor the lesson according to student's wishes/needs. I'm very satisfied.
Thank you very much Hana :)
Hi! I am Maaike, a Dutch primary school teacher. Every day I'm doing by best to teach the Dutch language well to the childeren, but also other languages such as English and Spanish.
I have more than 12 years of experience as a teacher, in the Netherlands and abroad, to young and old!
In the Netherlands I have experience in each grade, so I know exactly how the Dutch language is given in primary education. This can certainly help children, but also adults who want to learn the Dutch language in a correct way, having a good basic knowledge is the most important part of learning a new language.
I lived in Spain for 3 years where I taught English to Spanish children and adults. During that period I also followed an intensive language course to learn the Spanish language. Currently I am learning Nepali through Skype. I know what it is like to learn a new language, what it involves and how the learning process works.
I will first discuss with you what you would like to achieve by following the language lessons and what your needs are. Maybe it's just speaking skills, or grammar or listening skills, or a combination. In addition, I want to use my creativity to apply methods that work best for you, personalized language classes. :)
My goal is to give you the feeling after each class that you've come one step closer to your personal goal!
Feel free to request a trial class, so we can see what I can do for you and if my way of teaching suits you. See you soon! :)
M. R.
The best language teacher my daughter has had! She is a kind and friendly teacher. I feel like she keeps the lesson pace going and focused. Highly recommend Maaike. :-)
Maaike R.
Glad to see you here! If you're reading this, it means you're looking for a language teacher. Whether you want to learn Spanish, English or you're just looking for some conversation practice in any of these two languages, I'm the right person. I'm Daniela and I've been an English teacher for nearly 9 years. During this time I have also taught Spanish to some English speakers. I hold a bacherlor's degree in the teaching of English and Spanish as second languages and I also have a TESOL certificate. I've taught online and in classrooms to kids and adult learners. About my classes, I can tell you that you will definitely enjoy yourself since I focus a lot on your needs and interests and our learning materials are contextualized in modern and appealing subjetc matters. During our trial lesson, we will determine our starting point and the kind of topics you would like to have in our lessons. What are you waiting for? There is no room for excuses here! See you in class :)
V. F.
Daniela has a lot of teaching experience. She is very prepared and makes her lessons easy and interesting for her students. Great teacher!
This review was written by a coLanguage team member during a manual screening of this teacher profile.
Daniela G.
The best way to learn a new language is through natural interaction. And I believe that you learn most effectively when you feel at ease and when you are having fun!
You will see that each class is individually adapted to your personal learning style and that you can improve at your optimal level because you will always be challenged but never overwhelmed.
I am an enthusiastic language learner myself and know the importance of a fun and knowledgeable teacher. Because I enjoyed learning with great teachers so much, I'm committed to being that for you in every class as well.
With this German class, you will get
• a very competent, patient, and fun tutor with years of experience
• a very supportive environment
• as many opportunities as possible to actually speak German, reflect on it, and improve
• efficient tools and homework
• heaps of video material as well as many exercises to help you practice all aspects of the German language
• and you will see how manageable the German grammar actually is!
Of course, you can adjust the classes to whatever you consider to be most relevant for you!
If you like my approach and want to improve your German, write me a message or book a lesson with me! I would love to help you with your German
You can start right away at any level!
I am professionally certified by the Goethe Institut with the highest mark possible. Through all these years of teaching in different formats and different countries, I have collected a huge amount of experience, and feedback and improved my lessons. I never stop learning and adapting my teaching methods to nowadays strategies and advanced thinking
Z. .
I really enjoy my German classes with Iris! She understood exactly what I would like to work on, and has helped me improve my writing skills fast. I have no doubt, that with her help I will soon be able to pass the language exam I want to take!
Iris S.
I have 3 years of teaching experience and a 120 hours of advanced practical TEFL and TESOL. I am a dedicated teacher who cares about her students. I am an amazing listener, attentive, and very passionate. I enjoy traveling, for it allows me to meet new people of different cultures and backgrounds. Teaching has always been a passion of mine, for I get to make an impact in people's lives as much as they make an impact in mine. I cannot wait to make your English learning journey enjoyable and impactful.
A. S.
Paradise is a southafrican teacher with particular experience with younger students. She has a lot of fun learning materials that ensure an interactive lesson and seems to have great confidence in front of the camera.
This review was written by a coLanguage team member during a manual screening of this teacher profile.
Paradise N.
Coucou c'est moi Lore, I'm your French teacher & mentor for the next month!
One month French Bootcamp is an intensive and immersive 30-day French crash course.
The perfect option if you want to see quick results. ?
Send me a message to know my current levels and time of study group.
Each lesson is 60 mn
Access to the video record of the live lesson
My 30-day conversational French online course is by far my most popular option.
With a focus on casual conversation, this group class meets 5 times a week for 1 hour.
Free assessment test to see what is your level.
V. F.
Lore is a friendly and enthusiastic teacher. She supports her students and create personalized material for them. Great teacher!
This review was written by a coLanguage team member during a manual screening of this teacher profile.
Loredane N.
Hello, my name is Katerina und I’m a qualified German teacher with 8 years teaching experience.
I would like to help you to master the German language. You will get your personal online lesson via Skype.
If you are interested in learning this world language, just contact me –
I’m looking forward to getting to know you!
S. L.
Very expert and nice teacher. Organized, professional, she made my German lessons a pleasant experience. Customized learning materials according to you needs and interests. Highly recommended!
Dear Silvia, thank you very much!
Hallo :) My name is Mihaela and I was born in Switzerland. I have a Bachleor and Master degree as German teacher and more then 5 years experience.
I love languages, because of that I speak also Croatian and English. :)
- ABOUT THE CLASS -
I offer German language lessons for A1, A2, B1, B2 level and they include everything you need: grammar, speaking, writing, pronunciation and vocabulary.
This is ideal for students who want actively participate and speak more, learn new words and exercise the grammar. Or we can learn whatever you need, because I will always adapt to your needs. :)
I will support you during your learning experience and adapt to your learning tempo.
All learning materials and exercises are included and will be provided during the lesson.
The learning material is from various books (Schritte International, Menschen, Sicher im Alltag und Beruf, Begegnungen,...).
M. C.
Mihaela is very professional, punctual and well organised. She plans the lessons well with relevant materials based on the student interests and level. She is very flexible about rescheduling classes and always available for any doubts or requests.
Thank you very much Marilena :)
I’m Rebecca, originally from the UK but have been living in Germany for many years. I love making learning fun and have successfully helped my students improve their English in a pleasant atmosphere. I have experience helping my learners prepare for exams, job interviews, presentations etc. Whether business English, general conversational English or to help you prepare for a particular situation, feel free to book a trial lesson and we can discuss your needs and how I can help you! I am CELTA and TESOL qualified and have many years of experience. I’m looking forward to meeting you!
S. L.
Great teacher and very nice person. She helped me for my PhD interview, making me feeling confident with english. Highly recommended!
Rebecca L.
Hello,
my name is Veronika and I am a student in Florence at the academy of fine arts. I have been in Italy for three years and I really like the Italian language. In school i learned english and during journeys i used to speak a lot of english so i'm also able to teach in english.
I am from Germany so I am a German native speaker. I have already taught German to some of my friends and would love to teach my language to more people as well. At the beginning I would like to do grammar lessons and the most used words to deepen the basic knowledge of the language. Then I will continue to have conversations in German to increase vocabulary and to give confidence in dialogue and in any case in speaking the language in real scenarios. The most important thing by learning a new language is to learn it through hearing and speaking. Being difficult at first to formulate sentences will then become easier and easier and thus you arrive at a fluent and confident way to speak the new language.
For myself I learned Italian three years ago with this method so I also know what it is like to learn a language and I can help you with my teaching to learn German that way.
I can not wait to start!
greetings Veronika
B. L.
My experience with Veronika as a teacher was and still is really good. In order to reach my goals, she has setup a structured schedule and has provided good learning material. Due to my work, I had to reschedule some of my lessons and she always showed understanding in this regards. She is very friendly and easy to talk to. I can only recommend her!
Thank you very much!!!