July 26, 2018

12:20 p.m. Listened to voicemail

12:30 p.m. Returned phone call, had discussion with agency.

1:00 p.m. Ate lunch and simultaneously searched for immunization records, copies of certifications and other supporting paperwork.

2:00 p.m. Met with agency.

3:30 p.m . Finished initial conversation and paperwork.

July 27, 2018

2:00 p.m. Began interpreting for the first time in my life.

...

If you've been reading this blog for a while, you'll know that I have been working on an official certification for teaching German as a Foreign Language. I started at the end of 2015 and got really behind so I ended up spending much of last summer sitting at my computer, working through all the information. It was a tough slog.

Sechs Module - Six Modules

The course has 6 different modules and each module was the equivalent of a 120-page book plus exercises. The exercises ranged from simple reflection to mind maps to in-depth matching exercises. At the end of each module I had to design and execute a project that used one of the techniques in the book or something closely related to the material in the book. My clients were incredibly helpful and were happy to take part in the projects and give me feedback on the projects and worksheets I designed.

One project we did will actually become a little project for you, so when you see a challenge or a special Sprechseminar on vocabulary, you'll know where that project came from! :)

Die Endphase - The End Phase

The end phase of the course was completely different, though. I turned in three of my six projects for grading and then took a test on ALL of the materials in ALL the books. To get this overwith as soon as possible, I got up really early on my birthday and took the test at 8 am. Good news: I did well!

And then I had to write a 10-15 page paper in German. I'd never written a paper in German before and I hadn't even written a paper since I was in college. It was tough. Good news: I did well!

While I learned a lot, and I'm glad that I learned as much as I did, the grading of the projects concluded with me receiving the worst grade I've ever received in my entire life. From that I'm taking away one powerful reminder.

I grew up in a family of entrepreneurs. My grandfather came back from WWII having learned to waterski in Switzerland while he was on leave. He and my grandmother first opened up a gas station, which quickly turned into a gas station which sold boats, which then turned into a boat and snowmobile dealer, and for decades has been exclusively a full-fledged marine dealer in western Wisconsin. My grandparents worked really hard and were able to create a lifestyle that worked for them, because their business was a part of it.

Five and a half years ago I quit my temp job, tried to open one business (which went nowhere, fast), and then six months later tried teaching German online. It started to take off quickly and I knew I was onto something good. In 2015 I knew I had a solid basis for a business and took a business plan class and a business personality test. Turns out I have the archetypal personality of an entrepreneur. So bin ich eben!

Am 1. Juli 2018 feiere ich 5 Jahre GermanWithNicole.com! Feiern Sie mit!

Wann feiern wir?

Each day from June 25 - 29, 2018 there will be a new blog post with an entry form and you can have a chance to win the give away for that day.

There will be German products, a special German treat, and chances to win a book + a spot in Buchgemeinschaft! (Please note that due to shipping costs, some of the give aways will be available to residents in the US only and some of the give aways will be available to the world-wide audience.)

As this is an online business, it's appropriate that the majority of the give aways is online. Aber es gibt mehr! (But there's more!)

OK, so here's an important update for all of you in Europe or who visit my site from Europe. The European Union has taken huge steps to protect consumer privacy and a new, powerful regulation is going into effect May 25. It's called the GDPR or the General Data Policy Regulation. This affects you and me because a lot of people sign up for my list from Europe (all over--the UK, Spain, Portugal, Austria, Germany, Poland, Bulgaria, everywhere). Because my website is available for all, I must comply with the GDPR.

It has huge consequences for online marketers and online businesses (like GermanWithNicole.com) and becoming compliant means a lot of changes in how you and I communicate in my marketing efforts.

Here are the most important parts for you to know:

1. New Privacy Policy.

Click here to read the new privacy policy.

2. Updated Terms & Conditions

Click here to read the updated terms and conditions.

3. You can delete all your information from mailing lists...

...except I cannot delete your financial records, I need those for tax purposes. This is called the "right to be forgotten."

What I think of the GDPR:

Basically I think it's a fantastic idea. Why? Because it requires transparency and good boundaries!

In researching the GDPR changes and listening to podcasts from other marketers, I realized that most of them were at least somewhat devious in how they collected email addresses. And unfortunately a lot of people don't know how to watch out for themselves because they aren't knowledgable about online marketing. That's not OK with me! It's scary to think how many people are making promises and then crossing their fingers behind their backs. Das ist eklig!

I also have to say that through this process, I realized I've been really transparent about how I collect email addresses and being straight-forward with YOU about my mailing list, etc. That's an *awesome* thing to realize. This really is about building relationships, whether it's you reading this blog or you going to Germany and speaking German with folks there.

However, I also have to say that checking all the boxes for this was a huge pain in the Po-Po (that's a cute way of saying "butt" in German) and I'm really glad I'm done doing all this work for which I don't get paid.

Wo ist meine Katze? Und mein Glas Wein? Ich bin jetzt müde.

OK I just did HOURS worth of compliance work (seriously, I think it was between 10 and 12 hours). Make it worth my while and sign up for the newsletter(s) below. OR, if you don't want to be on my list, then you are free to unsubscribe! Do what you like, it's all OK with me.

Danke. ♥

I almost forgot! Here I was going to dive into the next blog post series on understanding the different levels of German learning (A1, A2, B1, etc.) and then it hit me--I forgot to tell you what's new this year!

Three good things!

New Thing #1: Sprechseminare - Speaking Seminars

This year I'm introducing Sprechseminare or Speaking Seminars to help you get the speaking practice you need. I have run one pilot seminar and have begun gathering ideas. In the Sprechseminare you can plan on practicing:

• only one topic per session
• in a small group format and it will be changed up with partner work (in break-out rooms)
• loads of speaking

The Sprechseminare have not yet officially begun, so be sure to read more about them on the Sprechseminare page and sign up for that mailing list. (And if you don't know your CEFR level yet, that's OK, that will be my next blog post series and you'll be able to figure out your level! Stay tuned to this blog and sign up for blog posts on the right.)