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Sonja's German Lessons

Sonja's German Lessons

5.0(4 reviews)
Offers online services
Offers online services

About

I am a German Native and grew up in Germany. I have been teaching German for over 3 decades, both in Germany and in the US. I have taught children as well as adults, and used to teach at the German School of the East Bay in Oakland. I taught their German Literature Club, as well as students of all levels, from beginners to advanced. I teach and tutor private students of all levels, including preparation for German language tests (i.e. to attend college in Germany). I teach in person locally here in the Bay Area, and remotely via Zoom, FaceTime etc.

Other than a German teacher I am also a visual artist - photography and community arts projects - and I make pottery.

I would love to teach you - whether it is for long-term goals or simply to prepare you for your next vacation in Germany, Austria or Switzerland.

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Highlights

1 employee
9 years in business
Serves Oakland , CA
Offers online services

Payment methods

Credit Card, Cash, Check, Paypal, Square

Social media

Specialties

Students age

5 – 10 years old, 11 – 13 years old, 14 – 18 years old, 19 – 25 years old, 26 – 45 years old, 46 – 65 years old, Over 65 years old

Current speaking level

No experience, Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

Speaking goals

Conversational proficiency, Full professional fluency, Native / bilingual fluency

Current reading level

No experience, Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

Current writing level

No experience, Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

Photos and videos

  • in China
  • at Grand Mesa, Colorado
  • in China
  • in one of my Snow Drawings arts projects
  • Snow Drawings in Alaska
  • Snow Drawings in Alaska

    • Reviews

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    ER

    Ellen R.

    Sonja is always prepared and speaks in German unless she needs to clarify something. She stays on topic and makes the lessons fun and interesting. I learned a lot from her.
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    August 18, 2019
    GC

    George C.

    Sonja custom-tailored German lessons. She asked us what our learning goals were, and pointed the courses in that direction. Also, she intuitively discerned our personal style of learning/ wanting to grow in the foreign language, and enabled us to learn in that way. Cannot say enough good things about Sonjas instruction, but would like to ad, that she has very in-depth knowledge of both English and German (she can teach it back and forth). Thanks Sonja.
    ... Show more
    July 09, 2019
    CH

    Carol H.

    Sonja is an interesting teacher who can use a textbook, but often finds current events or short readings more relevant to the students. In our small group class, we had many discussions during which she recorded vocabulary and grammar for us to learn. This format also gave each of us opportunities to formulate our ideas in German as we conversed with each other. I learned a lot and had an interesting time doing so.
    ... Show more
    July 07, 2019
    K

    Karyn

    Sonja challenged me while being flexible and meeting my needs.
    ... Show more
    July 07, 2019

    Frequently asked questions

    In the first lesson I try to asses my students, by talking to them and let them talk - depending on their skill level all in German and/or in English. I ask them if they have specific interests or interest fields that they would like to address - say in conversation and reading/discussing for more advanced students. For less advanced students that could be their learning focus and/or goal - such as a trip to Germany, where they want to be able to communicate on a simple basis - asking for directions, ordering food, or talking to their grandchild. Or it could be a more comprehensive goal where someone wants or needs to become fluent in relatively short order to qualify for academic study, a job or because they are relocating.

    I have had a lot of grammar education during high school in Germany as well in linguistic studies at university in Germany.
    60-minute lessons are typically $50 90-minute lessons $70 120-minute lessons $90 If I travel to the student's home I might have to add a fee for my added commute time, depending on distance.

    I started teaching as a high school student in Germany. As I was rather good in German and English, teachers recommended me to tutor younger students, and neighbors asked me if I could help their sons and daughters in German and English. I taught private lessons all through my college years in Germany and more intensely after college, when I also worked with language schools in Germany. After I relocated to the US I started teaching private lessons and taught for the German School of the East Bay in Oakland.

    all types - from first graders to adults, from beginners to advanced, from people who wanted to achieve basic communication skills to students preparing for C1/2 language exams. From immigrant children to university professors.
    Despite the Bay Area housing frenzy I found a very nice place to live (in Oakland) and have been loving it.

    To be clear about your goals and express them early on. That said - goals can change, which is just as exciting.

    What they want to achieve (if anything in particular), how frequent they want their lessons to be (which can be subject to change of course). What interests they have. What days/times they want their lessons. Are they willing to travel and meet with the teacher, or do they prefer that the teacher comes to their house? Are they open to remote lessons via Zoom, FaceTime etc.

    Services offered

    German