German Language

The first day at a new job

Goal: introduce yourself and your work to a new team. Outcome: says "Ich arbeite als ..." and "Ich bin für ... zuständig", chooses between "du" and "Sie", and adds "Vorher habe ich bei ... gearbeitet". Running scene: the first day at a new job, meeting the team.

Planning a Saturday with friends

Goal: make a plan with friends for the weekend. Outcome: invites with "Hast du Lust, ... zu ...?", answers kindly, gives dates like "am dritten Mai" and replies in a group chat. Running scene: setting up a Saturday outing with friends in a group chat and on the phone.

Calling the dentist on your lunch break

Goal: handle a formal phone call from greeting to goodbye. Outcome: opens, asks to be connected, spells a name, leaves a message and books a time with "Könnten Sie ...?", "A wie Anton" and "Auf Wiederhören", always in the "Sie" form. Running scene: calling a dental practice during a lunch break to book a check-up.

How it used to be

Goal: tell others what life was like in the past. Outcome: describes past states and single events with "Damals war ich ...", "Als ich zehn war, ..." and "Nachdem wir ... hatten, ...", and follows a story told in the past. Running scene: a school reunion, swapping memories of school and first jobs.

The bag you left on the train

Goal: describe a lost thing precisely enough for someone to find it. Outcome: adds detail with "eine Tasche, die ...", "der Zug, mit dem ..." and "alles, was ...", choosing the right "der/den/dem" inside the description. Running scene: at the lost-property office, describing a bag left on a regional train.

Should you take the job

Goal: think through a decision and give advice about it. Outcome: imagines, advises and wishes with "Wenn ich ... hätte, würde ich ...", "An deiner Stelle würde ich ..." and "Ich würde lieber ...". Running scene: helping a friend decide whether to take a job in another city.

Having your say

Goal: take part in a group discussion and defend a position. Outcome: states and backs a view with "Meiner Meinung nach ...", "..., denn ...", "Obwohl ..., ..." and "Zwar ..., aber ...", reacting politely to others. Running scene: a residents' meeting deciding whether to turn the courtyard into a garden.

Building works at the office

Goal: understand and explain what building works change at work. Outcome: says whose room is where with "das Büro meiner Kollegin", gives reasons and times with "wegen der Bauarbeiten" and "während der Umbauphase", and reads the notice. Running scene: building works at your office block: a notice, a closed entrance and a visitor who cannot find the way.

How things are done here

Goal: learn and explain how routines work at a new workplace. Outcome: understands and describes processes with "Die Post wird ... verteilt", "Der Drucker wurde ... repariert" and the everyday "Man bestellt ...". Running scene: the first week at a new job, learning how things work in the office.

Registering your address

Goal: register a new address with the city. Outcome: books the appointment, gets the papers, reads the form and handles the counter with "Ich möchte mich anmelden", "Könnten Sie ...?" and "Könnten Sie mir sagen, ob ...?". Running scene: the Anmeldung appointment at the Bürgeramt after moving into a new flat.

Extending your residence permit

Goal: get a residence permit extended without missing a step. Outcome: books, prepares and follows the application with "Ich möchte meine Aufenthaltserlaubnis verlängern", "Was fehlt noch?" and "Wird mein Antrag noch bearbeitet?". Running scene: extending a residence permit at the Ausländerbehörde.

The first month's paperwork

Goal: set up the bank account and health insurance a new job needs. Outcome: opens an account, reads forms and letters and reports back with "Ich möchte ein Girokonto eröffnen", "Ich möchte Mitglied werden" and "Ich schicke Ihnen ...". Running scene: the first month's paperwork for a new job: opening a bank account and joining a Krankenkasse.

Dealing with your landlord

Goal: handle the everyday business of renting a flat. Outcome: reads the lease and statements and reports problems with "Die Heizung funktioniert seit ... nicht", "Könnten Sie ...?" and "Sobald ..., ...". Running scene: a year in a rented flat: the lease, a broken heating system, the service-charge statement and moving out.

Finding your next job

Goal: find and follow up a job opportunity. Outcome: reads job ads and letters and talks to employers with "Ich rufe wegen Ihrer Stellenanzeige an", "Ich habe ... als ... gearbeitet" and "Ich möchte meinen Abschluss anerkennen lassen". Running scene: looking for work: a job ad, a call to the employer and getting a qualification recognized.

Your child starts a new school

Goal: settle your child into a new school. Outcome: registers, reads school letters and talks to staff with "Ich möchte meinen Sohn anmelden", "Er hat seit gestern Fieber" and "Wie kommt er im Unterricht mit?". Running scene: your son starts at a new primary school after the move.

Bins, bottles and greener habits

Goal: agree on greener habits with the people you live with. Outcome: sorts waste, voices concerns and sets rules with "Das kommt in ...", "um ... zu", "damit ..." and "anstatt ... zu". Running scene: a shared flat agreeing on waste sorting and saving energy.

A friend who lost their job

Goal: share feelings and support someone going through something hard. Outcome: tells news, names feelings and reacts with "Stell dir vor, ...", "Ich war total enttäuscht", "Das tut mir echt leid" and "Worauf freust du dich?". Running scene: a long phone call with a close friend who has just lost their job.

Invited to a German home

Goal: be a relaxed and polite guest in a German-speaking home. Outcome: prepares, greets, eats and chats with "Soll ich etwas mitbringen?", "Guten Appetit!", "Grüß Gott" and "Mich hat überrascht, dass ...", choosing between "du" and "Sie". Running scene: dinner at a colleague's home in Munich, with guests from Austria and Switzerland.

The new tram line in the local news

Goal: follow a local news story and talk about it. Outcome: gets gist, details and sources from articles and radio with "Es geht um ...", "laut ..." and "zunächst", then retells it with "Hast du gehört, dass ...?". Running scene: following a local news story about a new tram line and talking about it at lunch.

The job you turned down

Goal: talk about a past decision, what should have happened and what nearly did. Outcome: says "Wenn ich das gewusst hätte, ...", "Du hättest ... sollen", "Hätte ich doch bloß ...!" and "Fast hätte ich ...". Running scene: A year later, talking over with a friend the job offer you turned down and what might have been.

The job interview

Goal: present yourself convincingly in a German job interview. Outcome: says "Zurzeit arbeite ich als ...", "Dabei war ich für ... verantwortlich", "Zu meinen Stärken gehört ..." and "Ich könnte ab ... anfangen" in formal "Sie". Running scene: A video interview for a project coordinator role at a mid-sized company.

The first month in a new job

Goal: handle the paperwork and rules of your first month in a German job. Outcome: asks "Gilt ... auch in der Probezeit?" and "Könnten Sie mir erklären, warum ...?", and reports "Ich bin bis ... krankgeschrieben". Running scene: The first month in a new job: the contract, the first payslip and a sick day.

What needs to be done

Goal: say what is done, what must still be done and what others will do. Outcome: says "... ist schon ...", "... muss bis ... werden" and "Wir lassen ...", and understands "... ist bis ... abzugeben". Running scene: An office move: what has been packed, what must be done and what the movers will do.

The client whose project is late

Goal: keep a client relationship professional while a project runs late. Outcome: writes in the right register with "Ich komme noch einmal auf ... zurück", "Es wäre schön, wenn ..." and "eine Frist einhalten". Running scene: An email thread and a video call with a client about a delayed project delivery.

The first day at a new job

Goal: introduce yourself and your work to a new team. Outcome: says "Ich arbeite als ..." and "Ich bin für ... zuständig", chooses between "du" and "Sie", and adds "Vorher habe ich bei ... gearbeitet". Running scene: the first day at a new job, meeting the team.

Planning a Saturday with friends

Goal: make a plan with friends for the weekend. Outcome: invites with "Hast du Lust, ... zu ...?", answers kindly, gives dates like "am dritten Mai" and replies in a group chat. Running scene: setting up a Saturday outing with friends in a group chat and on the phone.

Calling the dentist on your lunch break

Goal: handle a formal phone call from greeting to goodbye. Outcome: opens, asks to be connected, spells a name, leaves a message and books a time with "Könnten Sie ...?", "A wie Anton" and "Auf Wiederhören", always in the "Sie" form. Running scene: calling a dental practice during a lunch break to book a check-up.

How it used to be

Goal: tell others what life was like in the past. Outcome: describes past states and single events with "Damals war ich ...", "Als ich zehn war, ..." and "Nachdem wir ... hatten, ...", and follows a story told in the past. Running scene: a school reunion, swapping memories of school and first jobs.

The bag you left on the train

Goal: describe a lost thing precisely enough for someone to find it. Outcome: adds detail with "eine Tasche, die ...", "der Zug, mit dem ..." and "alles, was ...", choosing the right "der/den/dem" inside the description. Running scene: at the lost-property office, describing a bag left on a regional train.

Should you take the job

Goal: think through a decision and give advice about it. Outcome: imagines, advises and wishes with "Wenn ich ... hätte, würde ich ...", "An deiner Stelle würde ich ..." and "Ich würde lieber ...". Running scene: helping a friend decide whether to take a job in another city.

Having your say

Goal: take part in a group discussion and defend a position. Outcome: states and backs a view with "Meiner Meinung nach ...", "..., denn ...", "Obwohl ..., ..." and "Zwar ..., aber ...", reacting politely to others. Running scene: a residents' meeting deciding whether to turn the courtyard into a garden.

Building works at the office

Goal: understand and explain what building works change at work. Outcome: says whose room is where with "das Büro meiner Kollegin", gives reasons and times with "wegen der Bauarbeiten" and "während der Umbauphase", and reads the notice. Running scene: building works at your office block: a notice, a closed entrance and a visitor who cannot find the way.

How things are done here

Goal: learn and explain how routines work at a new workplace. Outcome: understands and describes processes with "Die Post wird ... verteilt", "Der Drucker wurde ... repariert" and the everyday "Man bestellt ...". Running scene: the first week at a new job, learning how things work in the office.

Registering your address

Goal: register a new address with the city. Outcome: books the appointment, gets the papers, reads the form and handles the counter with "Ich möchte mich anmelden", "Könnten Sie ...?" and "Könnten Sie mir sagen, ob ...?". Running scene: the Anmeldung appointment at the Bürgeramt after moving into a new flat.

Extending your residence permit

Goal: get a residence permit extended without missing a step. Outcome: books, prepares and follows the application with "Ich möchte meine Aufenthaltserlaubnis verlängern", "Was fehlt noch?" and "Wird mein Antrag noch bearbeitet?". Running scene: extending a residence permit at the Ausländerbehörde.

The first month's paperwork

Goal: set up the bank account and health insurance a new job needs. Outcome: opens an account, reads forms and letters and reports back with "Ich möchte ein Girokonto eröffnen", "Ich möchte Mitglied werden" and "Ich schicke Ihnen ...". Running scene: the first month's paperwork for a new job: opening a bank account and joining a Krankenkasse.

Dealing with your landlord

Goal: handle the everyday business of renting a flat. Outcome: reads the lease and statements and reports problems with "Die Heizung funktioniert seit ... nicht", "Könnten Sie ...?" and "Sobald ..., ...". Running scene: a year in a rented flat: the lease, a broken heating system, the service-charge statement and moving out.

Finding your next job

Goal: find and follow up a job opportunity. Outcome: reads job ads and letters and talks to employers with "Ich rufe wegen Ihrer Stellenanzeige an", "Ich habe ... als ... gearbeitet" and "Ich möchte meinen Abschluss anerkennen lassen". Running scene: looking for work: a job ad, a call to the employer and getting a qualification recognized.

Your child starts a new school

Goal: settle your child into a new school. Outcome: registers, reads school letters and talks to staff with "Ich möchte meinen Sohn anmelden", "Er hat seit gestern Fieber" and "Wie kommt er im Unterricht mit?". Running scene: your son starts at a new primary school after the move.

Bins, bottles and greener habits

Goal: agree on greener habits with the people you live with. Outcome: sorts waste, voices concerns and sets rules with "Das kommt in ...", "um ... zu", "damit ..." and "anstatt ... zu". Running scene: a shared flat agreeing on waste sorting and saving energy.

A friend who lost their job

Goal: share feelings and support someone going through something hard. Outcome: tells news, names feelings and reacts with "Stell dir vor, ...", "Ich war total enttäuscht", "Das tut mir echt leid" and "Worauf freust du dich?". Running scene: a long phone call with a close friend who has just lost their job.

Invited to a German home

Goal: be a relaxed and polite guest in a German-speaking home. Outcome: prepares, greets, eats and chats with "Soll ich etwas mitbringen?", "Guten Appetit!", "Grüß Gott" and "Mich hat überrascht, dass ...", choosing between "du" and "Sie". Running scene: dinner at a colleague's home in Munich, with guests from Austria and Switzerland.

The new tram line in the local news

Goal: follow a local news story and talk about it. Outcome: gets gist, details and sources from articles and radio with "Es geht um ...", "laut ..." and "zunächst", then retells it with "Hast du gehört, dass ...?". Running scene: following a local news story about a new tram line and talking about it at lunch.

The job you turned down

Goal: talk about a past decision, what should have happened and what nearly did. Outcome: says "Wenn ich das gewusst hätte, ...", "Du hättest ... sollen", "Hätte ich doch bloß ...!" and "Fast hätte ich ...". Running scene: A year later, talking over with a friend the job offer you turned down and what might have been.

The job interview

Goal: present yourself convincingly in a German job interview. Outcome: says "Zurzeit arbeite ich als ...", "Dabei war ich für ... verantwortlich", "Zu meinen Stärken gehört ..." and "Ich könnte ab ... anfangen" in formal "Sie". Running scene: A video interview for a project coordinator role at a mid-sized company.

The first month in a new job

Goal: handle the paperwork and rules of your first month in a German job. Outcome: asks "Gilt ... auch in der Probezeit?" and "Könnten Sie mir erklären, warum ...?", and reports "Ich bin bis ... krankgeschrieben". Running scene: The first month in a new job: the contract, the first payslip and a sick day.

What needs to be done

Goal: say what is done, what must still be done and what others will do. Outcome: says "... ist schon ...", "... muss bis ... werden" and "Wir lassen ...", and understands "... ist bis ... abzugeben". Running scene: An office move: what has been packed, what must be done and what the movers will do.

The client whose project is late

Goal: keep a client relationship professional while a project runs late. Outcome: writes in the right register with "Ich komme noch einmal auf ... zurück", "Es wäre schön, wenn ..." and "eine Frist einhalten". Running scene: An email thread and a video call with a client about a delayed project delivery.

Arguing for the four-day week

Goal: argue a position in a team decision and answer objections. Outcome: links arguments with "Allerdings ...", "Einerseits ..., andererseits ...", "sofern ..." and "Je ..., desto ...". Running scene: A team meeting deciding whether to move to a four-day week.

Talking with strangers on a long train ride

Goal: keep a long, relaxed conversation with strangers flowing. Outcome: holds your turn with "Wie soll ich sagen ...", checks with "Meinst du damit ...?", joins in with "Darf ich kurz einhaken?" and reacts with "Eben!". Running scene: A five-hour train journey sharing a table with fellow travelers, talking about work and life.

Getting the new flat connected

Goal: set up electricity and internet and deal with the letters that follow. Outcome: asks "Gibt es eine Mindestvertragslaufzeit?", gives "Der Zählerstand war ...", finds the "Mahngebühr" in a letter and asks "Könnten Sie ...?". Running scene: Setting up electricity and internet in a new flat, and the first letters that follow.

The phone contract that keeps charging

Goal: get a company to stop charging you and pay you back. Outcome: says "Ich habe den Vertrag schon im ... gekündigt", writes "Hiermit kündige ich ...", pushes back with "Das kann ich so nicht akzeptieren" and settles with "Wären Sie bereit, ...?". Running scene: A mobile phone contract that keeps charging after cancellation.

Water damage while you were away

Goal: report water damage and get the insurer to pay. Outcome: tells "Als ich nach Hause kam, ...", reports "Ich möchte einen Wasserschaden melden" and objects with "Ich bitte Sie, den Fall erneut zu prüfen". Running scene: Coming home from holiday to a flooded bathroom: the insurer, the damage report and the neighbor below.

Stranded on the way to a conference

Goal: get where you need to be when the journey falls apart. Outcome: understands "Aufgrund ... endet dieser Zug in ...", asks "Ist die Zugbindung aufgehoben?" and claims with "Hiermit beantrage ich eine Entschädigung für ...". Running scene: A canceled connection on a train trip to a conference, ending in an unplanned hotel night.

The factory closing in your town

Goal: follow the news about a local closure and pass it on. Outcome: understands "Er sagt, er sei ...", "man werde ..." and the stance in a commentary, and retells with "Die sagen, dass ..." and "Angeblich ...". Running scene: A news story and a newspaper commentary about a company closing a factory in your town.

A letter from the tax office

Goal: understand an official letter from the tax office and act on it. Outcome: unpacks "Bescheid über ...", "die bereits eingereichten Unterlagen" and "Wir weisen darauf hin, dass ...", and finds the deadline in "bis zum ...". Running scene: A letter from the tax office asking for documents and giving a deadline.

After-work drinks with new colleagues

Goal: sound relaxed and natural in casual German among new colleagues. Outcome: softens, insists and hedges with "eigentlich", "Komm doch mal ..." and "Ich sag mal so, ..." and keeps "du" and "Sie" apart in one evening. Running scene: an after-work evening with new colleagues from a start-up, which a client later joins.

Holding your ground in meetings

Goal: defend your proposal in a formal meeting without losing composure. Outcome: keeps the floor, concedes and disagrees with "Lassen Sie mich ...", "Zugegeben, ... dennoch ..." and "Das halte ich für problematisch". Running scene: a project steering meeting where your proposal is questioned.

Negotiating with a key supplier

Goal: present an offer and negotiate terms with a key supplier. Outcome: structures the pitch, makes conditional offers and records the agreement with "Entscheidend ist ...", "Unter der Voraussetzung, dass ..., wären wir bereit, ..." and "Dann halten wir fest, dass ...". Running scene: presenting an offer to a key supplier and negotiating the terms.

Rewriting the project update

Goal: make an important project update sound precise and professional. Outcome: chooses fixed verb-noun pairs, graded evidence verbs and fitting idioms such as "in Betracht ziehen", "Die Zahlen legen nahe, dass ..." and "etwas auf den Punkt bringen". Running scene: rewriting an important project update so it sounds precise and professional.

After the press conference

Goal: pass on accurately what management said in public. Outcome: reports statements, admissions and doubts with "Sie betonte, ...", "Er räumte ein, dass ..." and "Er soll davon gewusst haben". Running scene: briefing your team on what management said at a company press conference.

Between the Munich and Vienna teams

Goal: mediate between two teams in conflict so they can work together again. Outcome: sets rules, names both positions and records the agreement with "Es geht heute nicht um Schuld", "Für München ..., für Wien dagegen ..." and "Beide Teams verständigen sich darauf, dass ...". Running scene: mediating a video call between the Munich and Vienna teams after a failed joint launch.

Keeping up with your industry on the train

Goal: follow demanding German texts about your industry. Outcome: reads stance, implication and argument through "ausgerechnet", "zumal" and "folglich" and catches the key points of radio news and a podcast transcript. Running scene: a business trip by train with a magazine feature and a transcript about the future of your industry.

After the data incident

Goal: speak and write formally to a client after a data incident. Outcome: states facts, takes responsibility and proposes next steps with "Nach derzeitigem Kenntnisstand ...", "Dafür übernehmen wir die volle Verantwortung" and "Wir schlagen vor, ... zu ...". Running scene: giving a formal statement to a client after a data incident, on the call and in the follow-up email.

A week as team lead

Goal: lead your team through feedback, delegation and change. Outcome: gives feedback, delegates and announces change with "Mir ist aufgefallen, dass ...", "Könntest du die Verantwortung für ... übernehmen?" and "Ab dem ersten Oktober wird ... umgestellt". Running scene: a team lead's week of feedback talks, delegation and an annual appraisal.

Subtext at a wedding reception

Goal: keep your footing when old friends and new in-laws talk past each other. Outcome: reads and uses the attitude hidden in particles, understatement and polite refusals, and shifts between du and Sie without breaking the flow. Running scene: a long wedding reception where the talk drifts onto a controversial local topic.

The company anniversary speech

Goal: write an anniversary speech where every word carries exactly the weight you intend. Outcome: chooses between near-synonyms, formal collocations and idioms by connotation and register, and decodes long compounds at a glance. Running scene: preparing a speech for your company's 50th anniversary and choosing every word with care.

The panel discussion

Goal: represent your organization convincingly in front of an audience and opponents. Outcome: builds logical chains, concedes strategically, rebuts, calibrates claims, names flawed reasoning and keeps the round moving in formal Sie register. Running scene: a public panel on housing policy where you represent your organization.

The quarter your department is restructured

Goal: lead your department through bad results, a restructuring and a farewell with authority and warmth. Outcome: presents figures, reads agreement clauses, breaks bad news, reassures, deflects premature questions and speaks at ceremonial moments in fitting register. Running scene: the end of a hard quarter, announcing results and a restructuring, and saying goodbye to a long-serving colleague.

The live radio interview

Goal: defend your organization's controversial decision live on air without being cornered. Outcome: bridges to your message, rejects loaded frames, refuses speculation, admits mistakes, escapes traps and corrects figures in controlled formal register. Running scene: a live radio interview about your organization's decision to close a local site.

The weekend newspaper

Goal: read the weekend paper and see what each article assumes, frames and implies. Outcome: recognizes cultural references, presupposition, loaded framing, reported distance, critics' verdicts and stacked clauses, and sums up a commentary in one sentence. Running scene: the weekend Feuilleton and politics pages of a national newspaper.

A posting to Vienna and Zurich

Goal: settle in and work smoothly in Vienna and Zurich, not only in Germany. Outcome: understands and uses Austrian and Swiss standard words, titles and offices in daily work, and reads Swiss spelling without hesitation. Running scene: a half-year posting split between the Vienna and Zurich offices.

Arguing for the four-day week

Goal: argue a position in a team decision and answer objections. Outcome: links arguments with "Allerdings ...", "Einerseits ..., andererseits ...", "sofern ..." and "Je ..., desto ...". Running scene: A team meeting deciding whether to move to a four-day week.

Talking with strangers on a long train ride

Goal: keep a long, relaxed conversation with strangers flowing. Outcome: holds your turn with "Wie soll ich sagen ...", checks with "Meinst du damit ...?", joins in with "Darf ich kurz einhaken?" and reacts with "Eben!". Running scene: A five-hour train journey sharing a table with fellow travelers, talking about work and life.

Getting the new flat connected

Goal: set up electricity and internet and deal with the letters that follow. Outcome: asks "Gibt es eine Mindestvertragslaufzeit?", gives "Der Zählerstand war ...", finds the "Mahngebühr" in a letter and asks "Könnten Sie ...?". Running scene: Setting up electricity and internet in a new flat, and the first letters that follow.

The phone contract that keeps charging

Goal: get a company to stop charging you and pay you back. Outcome: says "Ich habe den Vertrag schon im ... gekündigt", writes "Hiermit kündige ich ...", pushes back with "Das kann ich so nicht akzeptieren" and settles with "Wären Sie bereit, ...?". Running scene: A mobile phone contract that keeps charging after cancellation.

Water damage while you were away

Goal: report water damage and get the insurer to pay. Outcome: tells "Als ich nach Hause kam, ...", reports "Ich möchte einen Wasserschaden melden" and objects with "Ich bitte Sie, den Fall erneut zu prüfen". Running scene: Coming home from holiday to a flooded bathroom: the insurer, the damage report and the neighbor below.

Stranded on the way to a conference

Goal: get where you need to be when the journey falls apart. Outcome: understands "Aufgrund ... endet dieser Zug in ...", asks "Ist die Zugbindung aufgehoben?" and claims with "Hiermit beantrage ich eine Entschädigung für ...". Running scene: A canceled connection on a train trip to a conference, ending in an unplanned hotel night.

The factory closing in your town

Goal: follow the news about a local closure and pass it on. Outcome: understands "Er sagt, er sei ...", "man werde ..." and the stance in a commentary, and retells with "Die sagen, dass ..." and "Angeblich ...". Running scene: A news story and a newspaper commentary about a company closing a factory in your town.

A letter from the tax office

Goal: understand an official letter from the tax office and act on it. Outcome: unpacks "Bescheid über ...", "die bereits eingereichten Unterlagen" and "Wir weisen darauf hin, dass ...", and finds the deadline in "bis zum ...". Running scene: A letter from the tax office asking for documents and giving a deadline.

After-work drinks with new colleagues

Goal: sound relaxed and natural in casual German among new colleagues. Outcome: softens, insists and hedges with "eigentlich", "Komm doch mal ..." and "Ich sag mal so, ..." and keeps "du" and "Sie" apart in one evening. Running scene: an after-work evening with new colleagues from a start-up, which a client later joins.

Holding your ground in meetings

Goal: defend your proposal in a formal meeting without losing composure. Outcome: keeps the floor, concedes and disagrees with "Lassen Sie mich ...", "Zugegeben, ... dennoch ..." and "Das halte ich für problematisch". Running scene: a project steering meeting where your proposal is questioned.

Negotiating with a key supplier

Goal: present an offer and negotiate terms with a key supplier. Outcome: structures the pitch, makes conditional offers and records the agreement with "Entscheidend ist ...", "Unter der Voraussetzung, dass ..., wären wir bereit, ..." and "Dann halten wir fest, dass ...". Running scene: presenting an offer to a key supplier and negotiating the terms.

Rewriting the project update

Goal: make an important project update sound precise and professional. Outcome: chooses fixed verb-noun pairs, graded evidence verbs and fitting idioms such as "in Betracht ziehen", "Die Zahlen legen nahe, dass ..." and "etwas auf den Punkt bringen". Running scene: rewriting an important project update so it sounds precise and professional.

After the press conference

Goal: pass on accurately what management said in public. Outcome: reports statements, admissions and doubts with "Sie betonte, ...", "Er räumte ein, dass ..." and "Er soll davon gewusst haben". Running scene: briefing your team on what management said at a company press conference.

Between the Munich and Vienna teams

Goal: mediate between two teams in conflict so they can work together again. Outcome: sets rules, names both positions and records the agreement with "Es geht heute nicht um Schuld", "Für München ..., für Wien dagegen ..." and "Beide Teams verständigen sich darauf, dass ...". Running scene: mediating a video call between the Munich and Vienna teams after a failed joint launch.

Keeping up with your industry on the train

Goal: follow demanding German texts about your industry. Outcome: reads stance, implication and argument through "ausgerechnet", "zumal" and "folglich" and catches the key points of radio news and a podcast transcript. Running scene: a business trip by train with a magazine feature and a transcript about the future of your industry.

After the data incident

Goal: speak and write formally to a client after a data incident. Outcome: states facts, takes responsibility and proposes next steps with "Nach derzeitigem Kenntnisstand ...", "Dafür übernehmen wir die volle Verantwortung" and "Wir schlagen vor, ... zu ...". Running scene: giving a formal statement to a client after a data incident, on the call and in the follow-up email.

A week as team lead

Goal: lead your team through feedback, delegation and change. Outcome: gives feedback, delegates and announces change with "Mir ist aufgefallen, dass ...", "Könntest du die Verantwortung für ... übernehmen?" and "Ab dem ersten Oktober wird ... umgestellt". Running scene: a team lead's week of feedback talks, delegation and an annual appraisal.

Subtext at a wedding reception

Goal: keep your footing when old friends and new in-laws talk past each other. Outcome: reads and uses the attitude hidden in particles, understatement and polite refusals, and shifts between du and Sie without breaking the flow. Running scene: a long wedding reception where the talk drifts onto a controversial local topic.

The company anniversary speech

Goal: write an anniversary speech where every word carries exactly the weight you intend. Outcome: chooses between near-synonyms, formal collocations and idioms by connotation and register, and decodes long compounds at a glance. Running scene: preparing a speech for your company's 50th anniversary and choosing every word with care.

The panel discussion

Goal: represent your organization convincingly in front of an audience and opponents. Outcome: builds logical chains, concedes strategically, rebuts, calibrates claims, names flawed reasoning and keeps the round moving in formal Sie register. Running scene: a public panel on housing policy where you represent your organization.

The quarter your department is restructured

Goal: lead your department through bad results, a restructuring and a farewell with authority and warmth. Outcome: presents figures, reads agreement clauses, breaks bad news, reassures, deflects premature questions and speaks at ceremonial moments in fitting register. Running scene: the end of a hard quarter, announcing results and a restructuring, and saying goodbye to a long-serving colleague.

The live radio interview

Goal: defend your organization's controversial decision live on air without being cornered. Outcome: bridges to your message, rejects loaded frames, refuses speculation, admits mistakes, escapes traps and corrects figures in controlled formal register. Running scene: a live radio interview about your organization's decision to close a local site.

The weekend newspaper

Goal: read the weekend paper and see what each article assumes, frames and implies. Outcome: recognizes cultural references, presupposition, loaded framing, reported distance, critics' verdicts and stacked clauses, and sums up a commentary in one sentence. Running scene: the weekend Feuilleton and politics pages of a national newspaper.

A posting to Vienna and Zurich

Goal: settle in and work smoothly in Vienna and Zurich, not only in Germany. Outcome: understands and uses Austrian and Swiss standard words, titles and offices in daily work, and reads Swiss spelling without hesitation. Running scene: a half-year posting split between the Vienna and Zurich offices.