An Online German Lesson

Online German Lessons

I’ve been teaching German online for over 14 years now. And honestly? It works better than most people expect.

A lot of folks think online lessons are somehow second-best compared to sitting in a classroom. I used to hear it all the time when I started. “But Julia, can you really learn a language over a screen?”

The answer is yes — and often faster than in person.

Here’s why. With online lessons, you’re not stuck with whoever happens to teach in your area. You get a native speaker who actually lives in Germany and knows the language inside out. No commuting, no rushing through traffic after work. Just you, your screen, and a lesson that’s built around what you need. In fact, when people search for German classes near me, they are often looking for exactly this kind of convenience — learning from home with a real teacher.

Plus, the tech is solid now. Video and audio are crystal clear. We share screens, use a virtual blackboard, and I can even record the lesson so you can review it later. It’s not a compromise. It’s just a different way of teaching — and for language learning, it’s a really good one.

If you are looking for a complete strategy to structure your learning at home, I have written a detailed guide on the best way to learn German from home. It covers the same principles I use with my students.

This page covers my 1:1 online German lessons. If you’re looking for a group course instead, check out my virtual classroom German.

1:1 German lessons with a native tutor

When you book with me, you get one-on-one attention. No group, no distractions. Every lesson is built around your goals — whether that’s passing an exam, improving your business German, or starting from absolute zero.

I also specialize in helping Italian speakers learn German. I know where the tricky parts are for Italian learners because I’ve worked with dozens of them. The similarities help, the differences need extra attention — and I know exactly where to focus.

A bit about me 👩‍🏫

I’m a native German speaker with a degree in linguistics from LMU Munich. I’ve been teaching German as a foreign language for over 14 years now — both in person and online, in group courses and one-on-one. You can read more about me and my background if you are curious.

What I’ve learned in all those years is this: speaking is what matters most. Grammar is important, sure. But I’ve seen too many students who know all the rules by heart and still freeze up when they have to talk. That’s not fluency.

My lessons focus on getting you to actually use the language. From day one.

Why online lessons work

Before I get into the different courses I offer, let me tell you why learning German online actually makes sense.

the pro of a German lesson online

No commuting 🚌

Unless you live in a castle, the travel time is basically zero. You walk to your computer and you’re there.

Think about it. You finish work, you’re tired, and instead of rushing to a language school across town, you just open your laptop. That’s a huge difference. It saves time, energy, and makes it much easier to stick with it.

A real native speaker, wherever you are

This is the big one. Online German lessons with a native speaker mean you’re learning from someone who actually grew up with the language. No accent, no textbook German that nobody uses in real life.

And here’s the thing: you might not have a native German teacher living anywhere near you. But online? Location doesn’t matter. You can be in a small town in Italy, a village in Brazil, or anywhere else — and you still get a teacher from Munich who knows the language inside out.

Language and culture go together

Learning German isn’t just about grammar and vocabulary. You also want to understand the culture, right? The way people actually talk, the humor, the customs.

Since I live in Germany, that’s part of every lesson. I bring in real-life topics, things happening in Germany right now, and cultural context that you just don’t get from a textbook.

Safety ⛑️

This one’s simple. You’re learning from the comfort of your own home. No travel, no entering a stranger’s house, no worrying about your safety. It’s just you and the lesson.

Courses I offer

Not everyone needs the same thing. Here’s what I offer:

  • General German Course. This is the most popular one. You take 1 or 2 lessons per week (or even 1 every two weeks — whatever fits your schedule). We build a solid foundation at your pace.
  • Intensive Course. For those who want faster results. We meet 2 or 3 times a day, Monday to Thursday. It’s immersive, it’s intense, and you’ll progress quickly.
  • Course for Juniors. Teaching kids is different. Younger learners — especially pre-school children — need a different approach. I’m trained to work with them, making lessons fun and age-appropriate.
  • Crash Course for Vacation 🏖️. Going to Germany, Austria, or Switzerland? This course gives you practical phrases, useful vocabulary, and cultural tips so you can actually get by. No grammar overload.
  • Exam Preparation. Goethe, testDAF, telc — I’ve prepared students for all of them. I know what these exams look like and what it takes to pass. We train each competency area, do mock tests, and fix weak spots.
  • Conversation Course. You’ve studied grammar for years but still can’t speak? That’s exactly what this course is for. We just talk. I guide the conversation, correct you when needed, and help you build real fluency.
  • Business German. For professionals who need German at work. Business vocabulary, formal emails, presentations, job interviews — tailored to your industry. If you’re preparing for a job in Germany or need to communicate with German clients, this is the one.

CEFR Levels — what do they actually mean?

I teach all levels from A1 to C2. These follow the CEFR — the European standard for language ability.

CEFR language level

Here's what each level looks like in practice:

LevelWhat you can do
A1Understand and use everyday expressions. Introduce yourself and others. Have a basic conversation if the other person speaks slowly and clearly.
A2Understand frequently used expressions. Handle routine tasks in a simple way. Get by in the country, even if with some difficulty.
B1Understand the main points of clear input on familiar topics. Produce simple connected text. Talk about experiences, events, and plans.
B2Understand complex texts, including technical discussions in your field. Produce clear, detailed text on various subjects.
C1Understand long, complex texts and recognize implicit meaning. Express yourself fluently without much searching for words.
C2Comparable to a native speaker. Understand everything you hear or read. Use finer shades of meaning.

How I teach each level

A1 is where we build the foundation. Yes, there’s grammar — but don’t worry if that’s not your thing. I’ve had plenty of students who hated grammar and still did fine. We find a way that works for you 😉.

From A2 to B1, we shift from abstract grammar to more real-world vocabulary and phrases. Pronunciation starts getting more attention here — it’s often overlooked but it matters a lot.

B2 is a consolidation level. We solidify everything you’ve learned so far. Passing B2 is a real milestone — it’s worth celebrating 🎉.

At C1, we focus on expanding your vocabulary and making your speech flow naturally. You’ll start expressing yourself with confidence.

C2 is the top. You master the language in all its facets. If you want, we can even explore German dialects at this point. Between us, C1 and C2 lessons are the most fun — they’re mostly conversation, very relaxed, and you get to really enjoy the language.

If you are working through the lower levels, I have written detailed guides on some of the topics my students struggle with most:

And if you need a broader overview of how to approach learning German, the article on learning German covers the essentials.

How long is a lesson? ⏰

You can choose what works best for you. Here are the options:

  • 15 minutes. Perfect if you have a specific question — maybe you need a text corrected or want quick feedback. Just send me the material in advance so we can use the time well.
  • 45 minutes. The standard choice. Ideal after a long work day when you don’t want to overdo it. Also great for kids and teenagers who can’t stay focused for too long.
  • 90 minutes. You’re motivated, you have the time, and du hast Spaß (you’re having fun)! This gives us room to really work through topics in depth.

Pricing 💰

I try to keep it fair. You can find the full breakdown on the Pricing page.

See all lesson fees and package options on the Pricing page.

What a lesson looks like 👩‍💻

Never done an online lesson before? Here’s how it works.

We use a few tools together to make the lesson effective. Some are the same as in a traditional classroom, some are unique to online learning.

the virtual blackboard in the online lesson
Virtual blackboard

Just like in a real classroom. I write, draw, explain — and you can see it all in real time.

audio connection for the online lesson
Audio

Clear, live audio. We talk, I correct your pronunciation, you ask questions — just like being in the same room.

webcam for the online lesson
Webcam

Seeing each other makes a big difference. It feels like a real class, and I can read your facial expressions to know if something isn’t clear.

lesson chat
Chat

I drop difficult words or important notes in the chat so you can refer back to them later.

sharing documents with the student
Document sharing

Articles, exercises, homework — I share everything with you on screen and send it after the lesson.

Recording the online lesson
Recording

I record the lesson (with your permission) so you can watch it again later. Great for review.

What you need to get started

Here’s my checklist. It’s simpler than you think.

✔️ A computer 💻

Windows, Mac, Linux, tablet — anything works. A smartphone technically works too, but the screen is small and you’ll need to read a lot, so I’d recommend a laptop or desktop.

✔️ Software

No fancy language software required. We use Microsoft Teams, which is free.

You can use it directly in your browser or download the app from the Microsoft Teams website. You’ll need a free Microsoft account (Outlook, OneDrive, etc.) to sign in.

If you’re on Windows, here are the requirements:

Required
VersionWindows 10 Version 1507 or newer
Windows 8.1
Windows 8
Windows 7 (32-bit and 64-bit)
ProcessorAt least 1 GHz
RAMAt least 512 MB
AdditionalDirectX v9.0 or higher

✔️ Webcam

Not strictly required, but I prefer to see you. It makes the lesson much more interactive.

✔️ Headset and microphone 🎧 🎙️

A headset is better than your laptop’s built-in speakers. Why? Because without one, your voice can echo back through the microphone. A simple call-center headset works perfectly.

✔️ Internet connection

For a standard video call, you need about 300 Kbit/s upload and download. Most home connections handle this easily.

✔️ A textbook 📖

After I assess your level and choose the right course, I’ll recommend a textbook. I’ll also provide additional materials during our lessons.

Booking a lesson

Just get in touch with me and tell me what you need — your level, your difficulties, when you’d like to have the lesson. The more details, the better. I’ll set everything up for you.

Free trial lesson

I get it — you want to make sure I’m the right teacher before committing.

No problem. I offer a free trial lesson. We’ll meet online, I’ll show you how the lesson works, and you can decide if it’s a good fit. No pressure.

Sound good? Contact me to arrange your free trial.

Book a Lesson Now

Flexible price structure. More lessons, more savings!

Not sure which course is right for you?