Choosing an Online Course by Priorities | Learn German in English

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Use Choosing an Online Course by Priorities to practice German conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

Ich vergleiche Onlinekurse, und sie scheinen zu verschiedenen Lernstilen zu passen.

ikh fer-GLY-khuh ON-lyne-KOORS-uh, oont zee SHY-nun tsoo fer-SHEE-duh-nun LAIRN-SHTEE-lun tsoo PAH-sun. I'm comparing online courses, and they seem to fit different learning styles.

Was ist dir am wichtigsten: Feedback, Flexibilität oder Sprechpraxis?

vas ist deer am VIKH-tikh-stun: FEET-bek, flex-ee-bee-lee-TATE, OH-der SHPREKH-prahk-sis? What matters most to you: feedback, flexibility, or speaking practice?

Ich brauche Feedback, aber mein Zeitplan ändert sich oft.

ikh BROW-khuh FEET-bek, AH-ber mine TSYTE-plahn EN-durt zikh oft. I need feedback, but my schedule changes a lot.

Dann könnte ein flexibler Kurs mit optionalen Live-Sitzungen am besten passen.

dahn KURN-tuh ine FLEX-ee-blur KOORS mit op-tsee-oh-NAH-lun LYFE-ZIT-soong-un am BEST-un PAH-sun. Then a flexible course with optional live sessions may fit best.

Ein Kurs hat sehr gute Bewertungen, aber er bietet nur sehr wenig Sprechpraxis.

ine KOORS hat zair GOO-tuh beh-VAIR-toong-un, AH-ber air BEE-tut noor zair VAY-nikh SHPREKH-prahk-sis. One course has strong reviews, but it has very little speaking practice.

Wenn Sprechen dein Ziel ist, spielt diese Lücke eine Rolle.

ven SHPREKH-un dine TSEEL ist, SHPEELT DEE-zuh LUE-kuh EYE-nuh ROH-luh. If speaking is your goal, that gap matters.

Der andere Kurs enthält interaktive Unterrichtsstunden und Kommentare der Lehrkraft.

dair AHN-duh-ruh KOORS ent-HELT in-ter-ak-TEE-vuh OON-ter-RIKHTS-SHTOON-dun oont kom-en-TAH-ruh dair LAIR-kraft. The other course includes interactive classes and teacher comments.

Wähle den Kurs, der dazu passt, wie du wirklich lernen möchtest.

VAY-luh den KOORS, dair dah-TSOO past, vee doo VIRK-likh LAIR-nun MURKH-tust. Choose the one that matches how you actually want to learn.

Word by Word

Ich “Ich” means “I” and identifies the speaker in “Ich vergleiche Onlinekurse”. It is used as the subject of a statement about the speaker’s own action.

vergleiche “vergleiche” means “compare” here: the speaker is comparing online courses. It expresses the speaker’s action in “Ich vergleiche Onlinekurse”; the object being compared follows directly.

Onlinekurse “Onlinekurse” means “online courses” and is what the speaker is comparing. It is used as the object after “Ich vergleiche”.

und “und” connects two related statements: “Ich vergleiche Onlinekurse” and “sie scheinen zu verschiedenen Lernstilen zu passen”. Use it to add another connected idea.

sie “sie” means “they” here and refers back to the online courses. It is the subject of “sie scheinen zu verschiedenen Lernstilen zu passen”.

scheinen “scheinen” means “seem” and shows that the speaker is making an impression rather than stating something as certain. In “sie scheinen zu verschiedenen Lernstilen zu passen”, it is followed by “zu” and an infinitive.

zu In “zu verschiedenen Lernstilen zu passen”, the first “zu” belongs to the prepositional phrase meaning “to different learning styles”, while the second “zu” marks the infinitive “zu passen”. Together, “scheinen zu passen” expresses that something seems to fit.

verschiedenen “verschiedenen” means “different” and describes the learning styles in “zu verschiedenen Lernstilen”. It shows that the courses may fit more than one kind of learning style.

Lernstilen “Lernstilen” means “learning styles” and is the reference point after “zu” in “zu verschiedenen Lernstilen passen”. The expression describes what the courses may fit.

passen “passen” means “fit” in “zu verschiedenen Lernstilen passen”. The pattern “zu etwas passen” describes suitability for a person, thing, or situation.

Was “Was” means “what” and opens the question “Was ist dir am wichtigsten”. It asks the other person to identify one priority.

ist “ist” means “is” and links the question to the thing that is most important. In “Was ist dir am wichtigsten”, it forms a question about a priority.

dir “dir” means “to you” and identifies whose priority is being discussed in “Was ist dir am wichtigsten”. This form is used when asking about something important to the person addressed.

am “am” is used in the expression “am wichtigsten”, meaning “most important” in this question. Here it forms part of the pattern for asking which option has the highest priority.

wichtigsten “wichtigsten” means “most important” in “am wichtigsten”. It identifies the highest priority among feedback, flexibility, and speaking practice.

Feedback “Feedback” means feedback or comments about someone’s work or progress. Here it is one of the possible priorities in “Feedback, Flexibilität oder Sprechpraxis” and can be used after “brauchen” as in “Ich brauche Feedback”.

Flexibilität “Flexibilität” means flexibility, especially the ability to adapt to changing timing or circumstances. Here it is listed as another possible priority alongside feedback and speaking practice.

oder “oder” means “or” and separates the alternatives “Feedback, Flexibilität oder Sprechpraxis”. Use it to present a choice between options.

Sprechpraxis “Sprechpraxis” means speaking practice and refers to practice using the language orally. Here it is one of the course features being compared and later appears in “sehr wenig Sprechpraxis”.

brauche “brauche” means “need” in “Ich brauche Feedback”. It expresses that the speaker considers feedback necessary; the needed thing follows directly after it.

aber “aber” means “but” and contrasts the speaker’s need for feedback with the changing schedule. It introduces information that affects the course choice.

mein “mein” means “my” and identifies the schedule as belonging to the speaker in “mein Zeitplan”. It is placed directly before the noun it describes.

Zeitplan “Zeitplan” means “schedule” and refers to the speaker’s timetable in “mein Zeitplan ändert sich oft”. It is the subject of the statement about changing times.

ändert “ändert” means “changes” in “ändert sich oft”. The expression “sich ändern” describes something becoming different, here the speaker’s schedule.

sich “sich” is part of the expression “ändert sich”, meaning “changes” when referring to the schedule. It belongs with “ändert” rather than carrying the full meaning by itself.

oft “oft” means “often” and says that the schedule changes frequently. It adds information about how regularly “ändert sich” happens.

Dann “Dann” means “then” and connects the changing schedule to the suggestion that follows. It presents the flexible course as a possible response to the situation.

könnte “könnte” expresses possibility: a flexible course might fit best. In “könnte ... passen”, it makes the recommendation less absolute.

ein “ein” means “a” in “ein flexibler Kurs”, introducing one possible course. The same worklist form appears sentence-initially as “Ein” in “Ein Kurs hat sehr gute Bewertungen”, where it introduces one course being considered.

flexibler “flexibler” means “flexible” and describes the course in “ein flexibler Kurs”. Here it refers to a course that can accommodate the learner’s changing schedule.

Kurs “Kurs” means “course” and refers to an online learning program. It appears in “ein flexibler Kurs” as the suggested option and in “Ein Kurs hat sehr gute Bewertungen” as one course under consideration.

mit “mit” means “with” and introduces what the course includes in “mit optionalen Live-Sitzungen”. Use it to connect something with an accompanying feature or element.

optionalen “optionalen” means “optional” and describes the live sessions in “mit optionalen Live-Sitzungen”. It shows that attending those sessions is not required.

Live-Sitzungen “Live-Sitzungen” means live sessions and refers to real-time course meetings. Here the sessions are presented as an optional feature of the flexible course.

besten “besten” means “best” in “am besten passen”. The expression says that the suggested course may fit the learner better than the alternatives.

hat “hat” means “has” in “Ein Kurs hat sehr gute Bewertungen”. It introduces a feature or quality associated with the course, namely its reviews.

sehr “sehr” means “very” and strengthens “gute” in “sehr gute Bewertungen”. It shows that the reviews are considered strongly positive.

gute “gute” means “good” in “sehr gute Bewertungen”. It describes the quality of the course’s reviews; together with “sehr”, the phrase means very good reviews.

Bewertungen “Bewertungen” means reviews or ratings and refers to other people’s evaluations of the course. In “sehr gute Bewertungen”, they are evidence in favor of the course.

er “er” means “it” here and refers back to “Kurs”. It is the subject of “er bietet nur sehr wenig Sprechpraxis”, describing what that course provides.

bietet “bietet” means “offers” or “provides” in “er bietet nur sehr wenig Sprechpraxis”. The course is the subject, and the offered feature follows after the verb.

nur “nur” means “only” and limits the amount of speaking practice in “nur sehr wenig Sprechpraxis”. It emphasizes that the course provides less of this feature than the learner may want.

wenig “wenig” means “little” and describes the small amount of speaking practice in “sehr wenig Sprechpraxis”. It is strengthened by “sehr” and limited by “nur” in the same phrase.

Wenn “Wenn” means “if” and introduces the condition “Wenn Sprechen dein Ziel ist”. It connects the learner’s goal with the conclusion that follows.

Sprechen “Sprechen” means speaking and names the activity as a learning goal in “Wenn Sprechen dein Ziel ist”. It is treated as the thing that may be the learner’s goal.

dein “dein” means “your” and identifies the goal as belonging to the person addressed in “dein Ziel”. It appears directly before the noun it describes.

Ziel “Ziel” means “goal” and refers to what the learner wants to achieve. In “Sprechen dein Ziel”, speaking is identified as that goal.

spielt “spielt” contributes to the expression “spielt diese Lücke eine Rolle”, meaning that the gap matters or has significance. The whole expression is used to explain why limited speaking practice affects the choice.

diese “diese” means “this” and points to the specific gap just discussed: the lack of speaking practice. It describes “Lücke” in “diese Lücke”.

Lücke “Lücke” means “gap” and refers here to the missing or insufficient speaking practice. In “diese Lücke spielt ... eine Rolle”, the gap is presented as relevant to the decision.

eine “eine” means “a” in the expression “eine Rolle”. Together with “spielt ... eine Rolle”, it forms the common way to say that something matters or has significance.

Rolle “Rolle” means “role” literally, but in “spielt diese Lücke eine Rolle” the full expression means that the gap matters. The word should be understood together with “eine” and “spielt” in this construction.

Der “Der” means “the” in sentence-initial “Der andere Kurs” and identifies the other course in the comparison. The same worklist form also appears as lowercase “der” in “der dazu passt”, where it refers to the course selected.

andere “andere” means “other” in “Der andere Kurs”. It distinguishes this course from the one with strong reviews that was mentioned earlier.

enthält “enthält” means “contains” or “includes” in “Der andere Kurs enthält interaktive Unterrichtsstunden”. It introduces the features that are part of the other course.

interaktive “interaktive” means “interactive” and describes the classes in “interaktive Unterrichtsstunden”. It indicates that the classes involve interaction rather than only passive study.

Unterrichtsstunden “Unterrichtsstunden” means classes or lessons and names one feature included in the other course. It appears after “enthält” as one of the course’s contents.

Kommentare “Kommentare” means comments and refers to written or spoken remarks included as a course feature. Here they are listed together with “interaktive Unterrichtsstunden”.

Lehrkraft “Lehrkraft” means teacher or teaching professional. In “Kommentare der Lehrkraft”, it identifies whose comments are included in the course.

Wähle “Wähle” means “choose” and gives a direct recommendation to the person addressed. In “Wähle den Kurs”, the selected object follows immediately after the verb.

den “den” means “the” in “Wähle den Kurs”. It identifies the particular course that matches the learner’s preferred way of learning.

dazu “dazu” means “to that” or “accordingly” and refers back to the learner’s stated priorities and desired way of learning. In “der dazu passt”, it helps express that the course fits those preferences.

wie “wie” means “how” and introduces the clause “wie du wirklich lernen möchtest”. It describes the manner of learning that the chosen course should match.

du “du” means “you” when addressing one person informally. In “wie du wirklich lernen möchtest”, it is the person whose learning preferences are being discussed.

wirklich “wirklich” means “really” or “actually” and emphasizes the learner’s genuine preferred way of learning. It appears before “lernen möchtest” in the clause describing that preference.

lernen “lernen” means “learn” in “wie du wirklich lernen möchtest”. It is the activity the person wants to carry out, following “möchtest”.

möchtest “möchtest” expresses what the person wants to do in “wie du wirklich lernen möchtest”. Together with “lernen”, it describes the learner’s preferred way of studying.

Grammar Points

sich ändern

Der Zeitplan ändert sich wirklich.

dair TSYTE-plahn EN-durt zikh VIRK-likh.

The schedule is really changing.

The verb is reflexive: sich refers back to the subject. In a main clause, the conjugated verb comes second.

eine Rolle spielen

Flexibilität spielt eine Rolle.

flex-ee-bee-lee-TATE SHPEELT EYE-nuh ROH-luh.

Flexibility plays a role.

This fixed expression means that something matters or is relevant. The noun Rolle uses the feminine article eine.

German Vocabulary

Feedback noun

FEET-bek feedback

flexibel adj

flex-ee-BEEL flexible flexibler

Flexibilität noun

flex-ee-bee-lee-TATE flexibility

Lernstil noun

LAIRN-SHTEEL learning style Lernstilen

Onlinekurs noun

ON-lyne-KOORS online course Onlinekurse

optional adj

op-tsee-oh-NAHL optional

passen verb

PAH-sun to fit

scheinen verb

SHY-nun to seem

sich ändern verb

zikh EN-durn to change ändert sich

Sprechpraxis noun

SHPREKH-prahk-sis speaking practice

vergleichen verb

fair-GLY-khun to compare vergleiche

Zeitplan noun

TSYTE-plahn schedule

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

online course

Show Answer

Onlinekurse

to seem

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scheinen

learning style

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Lernstilen

to compare

Show Answer

vergleiche