# SmarterGerman

> Online German courses from A1 to C1 for serious learners, from founder Michael Schmitz, a German teacher with over 25 years of experience. Learn German online at your own pace, with free learning tools and a practical Germany guide for expats. Subscription markets get a 7-day free trial; several regions get one-time plans with a free first lesson instead.

## Courses

- [All courses](https://smartergerman.com/courses/): every German course A1 to C1 plus exam preparation, all included in one membership
- [Beginner's German A1](https://smartergerman.com/courses/beginners-german-a1/): German for beginners, start from zero, first vocabulary, pronunciation, and guided mini-conversations
- [Elementary German A2](https://smartergerman.com/courses/elementary-german-a2/): post-beginner German course, everyday vocabulary and grammar that starts to feel logical
- [Intermediate German B1](https://smartergerman.com/courses/intermediate-german-b1/): intermediate German course to B1, the level required for German citizenship and permanent residence
- [Upper-Intermediate German B2](https://smartergerman.com/courses/upper-intermediate-german-b2/): upper-intermediate German for fluency and working in German
- [Advanced German C1](https://smartergerman.com/courses/advanced-german-c1/): advanced German course for university, professional life, news, and literature
- [A1 Exam Prep](https://smartergerman.com/courses/hack-your-a1-exam/): preparation for the Goethe A1 and Start Deutsch 1 exams with structured practice
- [B1 Exam Prep](https://smartergerman.com/courses/hack-your-b1-exam/): preparation for Goethe B1, telc B1, and ÖSD B1 with full mock exams
- [DSH Exam Prep](https://smartergerman.com/courses/prepare-for-dsh-exam/): German university entrance exam preparation, academic reading, writing, and oral practice
- [German Grammar Genius](https://smartergerman.com/courses/german-grammar-genius/): complete German grammar course from the basics to advanced structures, taught by Alessio Bona
- [Hack the German Articles](https://smartergerman.com/courses/hack-the-german-articles/): learn der, die, das and predict the article of any German noun

## Free tools

- [German level assessment](https://smartergerman.com/assess/): free 20-minute German level test, CEFR placement across reading, listening, pronunciation, speaking, and writing
- [Toolbox](https://smartergerman.com/toolbox/): hub for all free German learning tools
- [Pronunciation trainers](https://smartergerman.com/pronunciation/): 28 free trainers covering every German sound, umlauts, ch, r, and word stress
- [Grammar exercises](https://smartergerman.com/exercises/): free German grammar drills with instant feedback, cases, verbs, and word order
- [Article Buster](https://articles.smartergerman.com/): der, die, das training with picture mnemonics, first 100 words free
- [Verb Wizard](https://wizard.smartergerman.com/): irregular German verbs with character mnemonics, first 48 verbs free
- [Dative Doctor](https://dative.smartergerman.com/): free dative verb training, one card at a time
- [German music for learners](https://smartergerman.com/music/): learn German with songs, curated tracks with followable lyrics

## Guides and content

- [Germany Guide](https://smartergerman.com/welcome/): 110 practical articles on German bureaucracy and daily life for English speakers, from Anmeldung and Bürgergeld to visas and citizenship
- [Blog](https://smartergerman.com/blog/): German language and culture articles, grammar explainers, and learning strategy
- [About Michael Schmitz](https://smartergerman.com/about-me/): founder and teacher

## Facts

- Founder and main teacher: Michael Schmitz, teaching German for over 25 years, DaF degree; most courses created by him personally, the rest developed closely with hand-picked teachers
- Course range: complete CEFR path A1 to C1, self-paced online German courses; subscription with a 7-day free trial, or one-time plans with a free first lesson depending on region
- Audience: expats living in Germany and German learners worldwide; all instruction in plain English
- German citizenship standard language requirement is B1; SmarterGerman courses cover the full path to B1 and beyond