I generally find podcast advice online very mixed for German. A lot of people recommend the classics of Coffee Break German, News in Slow German and inexplicably, Warum Nicht? by Deutsche Welle.
The problem I have with these is that they don’t get me excited about German. Whether it’s because too much English is used, the speed is sleep-inducing, or the format feels like a visit back to school-day language lessons, none of them feel like a window into German-speaking culture to me.
Beyond these, there aren’t as many options for German learners as there are in other languages for a number of reasons:
- There’s a smaller market of people making German podcasts for learners compared to other languages like French and Spanish
- The variety within German in terms of language variation (German-German, Swiss German, Austrian German) and the many dialects means that our choices are further narrowed to the variation we’re learning
- Because of these factors, German learners are a captive market, meaning that there’s little need for podcasters to provide free transcripts and extra features to gain listeners
Since I’m a passionate advocate for reading as you listen in the early days of language learning, I thought I’d compile a list of podcasts that do allow you to do just that – read and listen, for free.
And remember, for effective language learning, instead of thinking that a podcast can “teach” you a language, it’s important to reframe this so that you commit to teaching yourself a language, using podcasts as a tool. Make sure to read my post on 5 free ways to become the ultimate active listener before you dive into these.
Now that you know the method, here are the podcasts I recommend most per level:
- Beginner (A1)
- Pre-intermediate (A2)
- Intermediate (B1) – Upper-intermediate (B2)
- Upper-intermediate (B2)
- Final thoughts
Beginner (A1)
Speaking of Berlin
Average episode length: 13 minutes
Speaking of Berlin is a podcast that where Berliners narrate stories from their lives, from crazy dating stories to holidays and careers. English narration is threaded through each podcast to provide context. Read the episode transcripts as you listen.
Listen to Love is a losing game, whilst reading the transcript.
Harry – gefangen in der Zeit
Average episode length: 8 minutes
Harry – gefangen in der Zeit is a brilliant series. There are 50 episodes in total, which you’ll want to listen to in order, to follow Harry’s adventures as he’s “trapped in time.” Each episode features a lot of English to help you follow the action, in the form of Harry’s inner dialogue. Find all transcripts and accompanying comprehension activities here.
Listen to 1 – A holiday in the Black Forest whilst listening to the transcript.
Pre-intermediate (A2)
Slow German listening experience
Average episode length: 10 minutes
Slow German listening experience covers everyday topics, as well as German culture, sports, politics and history. The pace is perfect for A2 learners, and the narrator peppers every episode with little clarifications in English here and there. Access all transcripts here.
Listen to Gibt es “German Angst”? whilst listening to the transcript.
So ist Berlin
Average episode length: 10 minutes
So ist Berlin is a different version of the Speaking of Berlin podcast. The English narration is removed.
This is a great way to “graduate” from A1 level, as if you have listened to all of Speaking of Berlin, then you’ll be better equipped to deal with a podcast that is solely in German, as you’ll remember parts of the stories told, and of course, the episode transcripts are available.
Listen to Urlaub im goldenen Westen whilst reading the transcript.
Slow German mit Annik Rubens
Average episode length: 7 minutes
Annik Rubens has been producing Slow German since 2007. This means that there is a wealth of great episodes out there, each with an accompanying transcript on her website, as well as below each episode on Spotify.
The pace is actually very reasonable, not too fast and not too painfully slow. And since each episode is only 5-10 minutes long, Slow German is perfect for when you’re short of time.
Listen to episode 250: Wie unterscheiden sich Nord- und Süddeutsche?
Intermediate (B1) – Upper-intermediate (B2)
Learn German with Micro Stories
Average episode length: 1.5 minutes
Learn German with Micro Stories is pretty new so there’s currently only a small selection of episodes.
However, it’s got more to it than meets the eye. Head over to upwordo.com/ and sign up for their newsletter, where you will have episodes delivered straight to your inbox, with accompanying transcripts and comprehension questions as you listen.
Listen to Die Überraschung meiner Eltern to start.
Babbel Nachrichten
Average episode length: 8 minutes
Babbel Nachrichten sources news from Reuters, which is supported by explanations in English that are dotted throughout the episodes. It’s a limited podcast, meaning that the news is a little out of date; there are 34 episodes between April and December 2022, but it’s still worth a listen.
Access the transcripts here.
Listen to season 1 episode 8 on Public Transport and Women’s Rights whilst reading the transcript.
Deutsches Geplapper
Average episode length: 25 minutes
Deutsches Geplapper is produced by Flemming Goldbecher, and it covers a number of different topics. He sometimes presents alone, but mostly he interviews other German speakers, meaning that you get great exposure to natural conversational German.
Transcripts are accessible for free if you sign up for Flemming’s newsletter.
If you need an extra crutch for your listening, Flemming also videos his episodes and puts them on Deutsches Geplapper Youtube channel.
Listen to episode 71: So ähnlich sind sich Deutsch und Englisch – mit Feli from Germany.
Goethe Geschichten
Average episode length: 15 minutes
Goethe Geschichten offers a selection of stand-alone stories, so you can listen to them in any order. Don’t expect to be thrilled; they’re simple and not so exciting, but they’re embedded with common German expressions, which are also listed directly below each transcript.
Listen to Das Bunte Bild whilst reading the transcript.
Upper-intermediate (B2)
Das sagt man so!
Average episode length: 2 minutes
These bite-sized episodes by Deutsche Welle will teach you a broad array of expressions in German! Each episode focuses on one common idiom, and explains its meaning.
Transcripts and comprehension questions are available here.
Listen to Das Haar in der Suppe suchen as an introduction, and read the transcript here.
Final thoughts
It may look like I’m being paid by Babbel to promote their podcasts, as their podcasts appear on my lists of recommendations for French, Spanish and Italian, as well as this German list. I’m not being paid! I just feel that beginner, A1 and A2 learners really need transcripts and other crutches (like context in English) when starting out with podcasts in our target language, and all of Babbel’s podcasts offer these.
Don’t forget to check out my post on 5 free ways to become the ultimate active listener, if you haven’t already done so, to make sure you’re using these podcasts to maximise your learning.
What do you think of this selection? Are there any other podcasts you swear by on your German learning journey? Comment below!
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