Who are you?

I'm Helmuth Keller.

Who are you?

I'm Helmuth Keller.

What do you do?

I teach German as a foreign language and work on the development of MakePhrases.

What do you do?

I teach German as a foreign language and work on the development of MakePhrases.

Why can you teach and code? Did you study?

Yes, I studied German, philosophy and politics. And now I'm enrolled in computer science.

Why can you teach and code? Did you study?

Yes, I studied German, philosophy and politics. And now I'm enrolled in computer science.

do you have an exam

Yes, I have a master's degree in German studies. I will not take an exam in computer science.

do you have an exam

Yes, I have a master's degree in German studies. I will not take an exam in computer science.

Are you studying computer science just because of MakePhrases?

Exactly. In the beginning I started programming quite naively. But then I realized that learning the basics would save me a lot of work.

Are you studying computer science just because of MakePhrases?

Exactly. In the beginning I started programming quite naively. But then I realized that learning the basics would save me a lot of work.

What was the trigger for MakePhrases? How did you come up with developing your own program?

The trigger was certainly my dissatisfaction with the learning results. But that wasn't just the case for me. The colleagues were not satisfied with the results either. But unlike most of them, I didn't think it was the students' fault.

What was the trigger for MakePhrases? How did you come up with developing your own program?

The trigger was certainly my dissatisfaction with the learning results. But that wasn't just the case for me. The colleagues were not satisfied with the results either. But unlike most of them, I didn't think it was the students' fault.

Rather? what did you believe Why are the learning outcomes unsatisfactory?

I thought it had to be the class. Therefore, I tried to find out how I could change the teaching to improve the learning outcome.

Rather? what did you believe Why are the learning outcomes unsatisfactory?

I thought it had to be the class. Therefore, I tried to find out how I could change the teaching to improve the learning outcome.

And? Did you find an answer to the question of how the result could be improved?

I could write a book about that. I found many possible answers and experimented with them.

And? Did you find an answer to the question of how the result could be improved?

I could write a book about that. I found many possible answers and experimented with them.

For example?

Motivation plays a big role.

For example?

Motivation plays a big role.

Can you influence the motivation of adult learners?

Yes, we can influence the motivation. That was my first action. I have consistently worked to create a motivating atmosphere.

Can you influence the motivation of adult learners?

Yes, we can influence the motivation. That was my first action. I have consistently worked to create a motivating atmosphere.

And was the result better after you included motivation in your lessons?

no Unfortunately not. The atmosphere in class was good. But the students felt less shy about speaking incorrectly. Unfortunately, the mistakes, and by that I mean the unnecessary mistakes, remained.

And was the result better after you included motivation in your lessons?

no Unfortunately not. The atmosphere in class was good. But the students felt less shy about speaking incorrectly. Unfortunately, the mistakes, and by that I mean the unnecessary mistakes, remained.

Oh, that wasn't very motivating for you, was it?

Do not worry. I've always been motivated. I have a job that I enjoy a lot.

Oh, that wasn't very motivating for you, was it?

Do not worry. I've always been motivated. I have a job that I enjoy a lot.

So what did you try next to improve the learning outcome?

Next, I adjusted my material. I wrote new worksheets.

So what did you try next to improve the learning outcome?

Next, I adjusted my material. I wrote new worksheets.

Did you write all the material for your German lessons yourself?

no There are regulations. This also means that we must use a textbook that has been tested and approved.

Did you write all the material for your German lessons yourself?

no There are regulations. This also means that we must use a textbook that has been tested and approved.

But then you had the necessary study material.

Unfortunately that is not the case. I am not very satisfied with the teaching material.

But then you had the necessary study material.

Unfortunately that is not the case. I am not very satisfied with the teaching material.

What do you dislike about the textbooks?

First of all, I believe that marketing is becoming increasingly important for textbooks. The layout, the design, the images, etc. seem to me to be more important than the content.

What do you dislike about the textbooks?

First of all, I believe that marketing is becoming increasingly important for textbooks. The layout, the design, the images, etc. seem to me to be more important than the content.

Oh, that's a harsh criticism.

Yes, I am aware of that. But I'm sure that the editorial department is primarily concerned with securing market share.

Oh, that's a harsh criticism.

Yes, I am aware of that. But I'm sure that the editorial department is primarily concerned with securing market share.

Can't one assume that a publisher will focus on quality in order to secure its market share?

The way I see it, a publisher relies on the impulse to buy. Beautiful pictures should tempt you to buy. Unfortunately, when someone has to choose between two textbooks, optical features count for much more. It's the same with other products. Food is sold through the packaging. Textbooks are a product that is subject to the laws of marketing.

Can't one assume that a publisher will focus on quality in order to secure its market share?

The way I see it, a publisher relies on the impulse to buy. Beautiful pictures should tempt you to buy. Unfortunately, when someone has to choose between two textbooks, optical features count for much more. It's the same with other products. Food is sold through the packaging. Textbooks are a product that is subject to the laws of marketing.

And you have to use such a textbook?

This is the case in most courses. But we also use additional material because the textbook is not sufficient.

And you have to use such a textbook?

This is the case in most courses. But we also use additional material because the textbook is not sufficient.

Oh I see. Did that help to improve the learning outcome?

Not really either.

Oh I see. Did that help to improve the learning outcome?

Not really either.

Why not?

Better worksheets and more interesting teaching material ultimately only meant that the students enjoyed the tasks more. However, I could not find any lasting success here either. Enjoying learning is no guarantee for a better result.

Why not?

Better worksheets and more interesting teaching material ultimately only meant that the students enjoyed the tasks more. However, I could not find any lasting success here either. Enjoying learning is no guarantee for a better result.

Have you tried other things?

Yes, of course. Like I said, I could write books about that. That has dragged on for years. And of course I'm still learning today.

Have you tried other things?

Yes, of course. Like I said, I could write books about that. That has dragged on for years. And of course I'm still learning today.

Did you see any improvement at all?

Yes. Today I have a different approach and I get better results with it.

Did you see any improvement at all?

Yes. Today I have a different approach and I get better results with it.

And what is your recipe for success today?

I understood that learning a language means learning an ability/skill. It doesn't mean acquiring knowledge.

And what is your recipe for success today?

I understood that learning a language means learning an ability/skill. It doesn't mean acquiring knowledge.

When I think of skill, I think of swimming, riding a bike, playing an instrument, etc. Why does learning a language mean learning a skill?

Forming a sentence is a process for the brain that you can compare to a sequence of movements. When we speak, body parts such as the tongue, lips, teeth, throat, etc. are actually involved. But even when we're just writing, there's a blueprint in the brain that helps form and distribute the words in a sentence.

When I think of skill, I think of swimming, riding a bike, playing an instrument, etc. Why does learning a language mean learning a skill?

Forming a sentence is a process for the brain that you can compare to a sequence of movements. When we speak, body parts such as the tongue, lips, teeth, throat, etc. are actually involved. But even when we're just writing, there's a blueprint in the brain that helps form and distribute the words in a sentence.

By "blueprint in the brain" do you mean the grammar?

Right. People always think that grammar is the rules that language teachers wrote down in a book. But grammar is the part of our brain where sentences are formed. Everyone has a grammar.

By "blueprint in the brain" do you mean the grammar?

Right. People always think that grammar is the rules that language teachers wrote down in a book. But grammar is the part of our brain where sentences are formed. Everyone has a grammar.

What happens when we learn a foreign language, in the brain?

We build a grammar for the foreign language.

What happens when we learn a foreign language, in the brain?

We build a grammar for the foreign language.

How do we build a grammar?

That is the crucial question. We build up the new grammar through training. Training means regular repetition with adjustment.

How do we build a grammar?

That is the crucial question. We build up the new grammar through training. Training means regular repetition with adjustment.

We have to learn the rules.

But it is not enough if we know and understand the rules. We must use them. We have to know them. That's not the same.

We have to learn the rules.

But it is not enough if we know and understand the rules. We must use them. We have to know them. That's not the same.

Are you saying that students know the rules but don't apply them?

Yes. That's exactly how it is. Actually, everyone knows the rule that the verb is in the second position in German. But few get it right.

Are you saying that students know the rules but don't apply them?

Yes. That's exactly how it is. Actually, everyone knows the rule that the verb is in the second position in German. But few get it right.

Can you explain that with an example?

With pleasure. Almost everyone says such phrases as "Maybe I'll be a little later tomorrow." or something like that. In most languages, this sentence structure is correct. In German, as we immediately see, it is wrong. If you point out the error to them, they know immediately what is meant. You know the rule. But they still use the structure of the mother tongue or English.

Can you explain that with an example?

With pleasure. Almost everyone says such phrases as "Maybe I'll be a little later tomorrow." or something like that. In most languages, this sentence structure is correct. In German, as we immediately see, it is wrong. If you point out the error to them, they know immediately what is meant. You know the rule. But they still use the structure of the mother tongue or English.

What do you think why they use the wrong structure?

Because they haven't practiced the German structure enough. The brain falls back on the practiced structure because it feels safe there.

What do you think why they use the wrong structure?

Because they haven't practiced the German structure enough. The brain falls back on the practiced structure because it feels safe there.

What can you do about applying the wrong rule?

There is only one answer: Repeat until the brain automatically uses the rule that corresponds to the language we are speaking.

What can you do about applying the wrong rule?

There is only one answer: Repeat until the brain automatically uses the rule that corresponds to the language we are speaking.

And how many times do you have to repeat?

This is very different from person to person. Sometimes 10 reps are enough. Sometimes we need 100 repetitions.

And how many times do you have to repeat?

This is very different from person to person. Sometimes 10 reps are enough. Sometimes we need 100 repetitions.

Does that mean that anyone can learn to apply the rule in question automatically?

Yes. Everyone can train and thus also learn to apply the most important rules automatically.

Does that mean that anyone can learn to apply the rule in question automatically?

Yes. Everyone can train and thus also learn to apply the most important rules automatically.

Who are you?

I'm lea .

Who are you?

I'm lea .

What do you do?

I work as an online manager for MakePhrases.

What do you do?

I work as an online manager for MakePhrases.

And what are you doing there?

I take care of marketing, our social media channels, customer service and create success reports. I also work on the further development of MakePhrases and the improvement of the user experience.

And what are you doing there?

I take care of marketing, our social media channels, customer service and create success reports. I also work on the further development of MakePhrases and the improvement of the user experience.

how can you do that did you study that

Yes, I successfully completed my studies in 2020 with a Master of Arts.

how can you do that did you study that

Yes, I successfully completed my studies in 2020 with a Master of Arts.

How did you come to MakePhrases?

Like you, I like to learn other languages. With MakePhrases I want to help other people learn my mother tongue. I believe that anyone can learn German. It requires diligence and professional learning materials. MakePhrases helps you to learn German. It offers endless exercises thanks to modern technology. In addition, the grammar book is really easy to understand. You can also read all the grammar explanations in your native language, I think that's a big advantage. And now I wish you a lot of fun and success in practicing!

How did you come to MakePhrases?

Like you, I like to learn other languages. With MakePhrases I want to help other people learn my mother tongue. I believe that anyone can learn German. It requires diligence and professional learning materials. MakePhrases helps you to learn German. It offers endless exercises thanks to modern technology. In addition, the grammar book is really easy to understand. You can also read all the grammar explanations in your native language, I think that's a big advantage. And now I wish you a lot of fun and success in practicing!