What Makes Our Beginner German Courses Different? Small Groups, Clear Explanations and Strong Foundations
Starting German should feel exciting. Yet many beginners quickly find themselves wondering why verbs change, where words belong in a sentence, or how to choose between der, die and das. Learning a few useful phrases is a welcome first step, but making progress means understanding how to put the language together yourself.
At Olesen Tuition, our beginner German courses combine small groups, clear explanations in English and structured grammar practice from an early stage. Alongside speaking, listening, reading and writing, we help you understand the patterns that make German work.
Whether you would like to begin this autumn or make learning German your goal for January, our weekly German classes and intensive German courses offer a supportive, carefully structured starting point.
Small Groups Give You Time to Learn and Participate
Our weekly classes have just 4–8 students. This gives everyone opportunities to speak, ask questions and receive individual feedback.
For a beginner, that attention matters. You need time to try out a sentence, make a mistake, understand the correction and try again. You also need to feel comfortable saying that something is not yet clear.
Small groups help us notice difficulties early. If a student is unsure about a verb ending or a word-order rule, we can address the confusion before building on it in the next lesson. They also create a friendly environment in which students get to know one another and become more comfortable speaking German together.
Clear Explanations in English
We use English to explain new grammar at beginner level so that students understand what they are learning and how to apply it.
A beginner should not need to decipher an unfamiliar German explanation before they can understand an unfamiliar German rule. A clear explanation in English allows us to establish the principle, answer questions and then spend time practising it in German.
We also explain grammatical terminology. If words such as “infinitive”, “subject” or “case” feel unfamiliar, we show you what they mean through straightforward examples.
You will hear and use German from the beginning. English provides support where it helps understanding, while German becomes increasingly familiar through guided practice and conversation.
Structured Grammar Practice from an Early Stage
Our beginner courses give grammar a clear place from the outset. We introduce essential structures in manageable steps, practise them carefully and return to them as students encounter new vocabulary and situations.
Early work includes learning how to:
Use common verbs and recognise their endings.
Build simple statements and questions.
Understand the position of the verb.
Learn nouns together with their articles.
Make simple negative statements.
Recognise how grammatical choices affect meaning.
The aim is to make practice effective: students should understand the reason for an answer and gradually become able to apply the same principle independently.
For example, learning Ich wohne in London (“I live in London”) gives you a useful sentence. Understanding the verb also helps you ask Wo wohnst du? (“Where do you live?”) and say Sie wohnt in Berlin (“She lives in Berlin”).
One pattern opens up several possibilities. This is how we help students move towards creating their own sentences.
Grammar That Supports Conversation
We connect grammar with situations in which you can use it.
Verb endings help you talk about yourself and other people. Question formation helps you get to know someone. Word order helps you describe your routine clearly.
Consider these two sentences:
Ich lerne heute Deutsch. I am learning German today.
Heute lerne ich Deutsch. Today, I am learning German.
The starting point changes, but the conjugated verb remains in second position. Understanding that pattern helps you use it in new sentences.
Our lessons link explanations and exercises with speaking, listening, reading and writing. Students have opportunities to recognise a structure, practise it with support and then use it to communicate something of their own.
A Foundation You Can Keep Building On
We want students to leave each lesson with a clearer understanding of the language and a practical sense of what to practise next.
That means revisiting earlier material, making connections between topics and correcting mistakes constructively. A rule that seemed unfamiliar in your first lesson becomes more natural as you encounter it in different contexts.
Our German language blog also contains hundreds of posts on grammar, vocabulary and language learning. These provide additional explanations and examples to consult between lessons.
Upcoming Weekly Beginner German Classes
If you prefer a regular learning routine, our weekly A1.1 classes provide a manageable way to begin. Each session lasts 90 minutes.
You can start this autumn or join one of our new January 2027 beginner groups, with weekend and weekday options available.
Course | Start date | Format |
Mondays, 6–7.30pm, with Jens | 19 October 2026 | Hybrid: Hampstead or online |
Wednesdays, 12.30–2pm, with Jens | 28 October 2026 | Hybrid: Hampstead or online |
Sundays, 1–2.30pm, with Jens | 10 January 2027 | Hybrid: Hampstead or online |
Mondays, 7–8.30pm, with Jens | 18 January 2027 | Online |
Tuesdays, 5.30–7pm, with Annika | 26 January 2027 | Online |
All times are UK time. Please check the booking page for current availability.
Our hybrid classes give you the choice of joining us in Hampstead or attending online. Our online courses bring the same small-group teaching and clear explanations to you wherever you live. Explore our beginner German classes and book your place.
Start January with an Intensive Beginner German Course
If you would like a more concentrated start, our January A1.1 intensive German courses run from 4–15 January 2027.
Taught online by Jens Olesen, each course includes ten 90-minute lessons across two weeks, with a choice of:
Morning course: 8–9.30am
Evening course: 7.30–9pm
The fee is £495 per course, and all times are UK time.
The intensive format allows you to return to German each weekday, practise new material regularly and build on the previous lesson while it is still fresh. It is a focused introduction for complete beginners who can set aside time for lessons and practice between sessions.
Find the Right Starting Point
If you are completely new to German, A1.1 is the appropriate starting point. If you have already studied some German, we can help you decide whether a beginner course or a class at a higher level would suit you better.
Whichever format you choose, our approach is consistent: small groups, clear explanations, structured practice and regular opportunities to use what you learn.
Contact Olesen Tuition to discuss your level and goals, or explore our upcoming courses to take your first step.
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