Rishabh is a student living in India, working part-time at a hospital — and preparing for a big move.
He’s set to begin a Dual Study Program at UniversitätsKlinikum Stuttgart(Germany) in the winter semester of 2025, and learning German was essential to make that transition possible.
In November last year, Rishabh reached out to me by email.
He had two clear goals:
– Pass the Telc B1 exam
– and more importantly, reach a level where he could express himself confidently and naturally in conversations.
At the same time, he felt stuck — despite attending regular German classes with a German teacher:
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“As a student, I am currently focused entirely on learning German in preparation for my studies in Germany next year, I aim to reach a conversational level where I can express myself confidently and naturally—not just pass the Goethe B1/B2 exams.Although I am attending German classes at an institute, I continue to struggle significantly with speaking and initiating conversations.I’ve shared these challenges with my German teacher, who advised me to memorize vocabulary and keep practicing speaking, but I still feel unprepared.With only about 5-6 months left before I leave for Germany, it’s becoming increasingly challenging to feel ready.”
Shortly after, he joined my program ‘From Zero to C1 in 25 Minutes a Day‘ at the A2 level.
And I told him something many students find surprising:
“If you go through A2 thoroughly, that’s already enough to pass the B1 exam.”
He took my word for it, and a few months later, he emailed me right after his exam:
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“I had my B1 exam today, and it went better than I expected.I found the Schriftlicher Teil quite challenging compared to the Mündlicher Teil (asked few other students there it was quite tougher this time)
However, a few German examiners were there in person.Thanks to you and Dan, I actually enjoyed speaking with them, didn’t feel like exam.Regardless of the outcome, I’m happy with my performance.”
And just a few weeks later, his results arrived.
He was able to pass the official B1 Telc exam with an incredible 92% score in Speaking:
- Reading: 57,5/75 (77%)
- Sprachbausteine: 28,5/30 (95%)
- Listening: 60/75 (80%)
- Writing: 21/45 (47%)
- Speaking: 69/75 (92%)
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Here’s an interview I did with him after passing his B1 exam.
Let’s jump right into it, so you can learn from his journey going through my program.
Rishabh,
what did you try before starting my program, “From Zero to C1”?
To be honest, I started learning German with Youtube and Duolingo in September 2024.
I tried to stick with a few channels aimed at beginners and covered basic A1 grammar and vocab. However within a month, I realised that my strategy wasn’t effective enough for my long term language goals.
Soon after, thanks to the YT algorithm, I came across video recommendations featuring Herr Professor’s Verb Juggling lessons and it was so fascinating that I watched almost all the available videos on the channel within a week.
What was the biggest challenge you faced while learning German?
Well, when I first dove into Youtube, I found myself overwhelmed by sheer abundance of content – a chaotic sea where it’s all too easy to drift off course.
Yet, there is a frustrating scarcity of clear strategies and structured guidance to tackle the language, which I believe was the real hurdle for me.
What kind of program were you looking for?
As I mentioned, I was looking for a structured and effective program to learn German, one that offers clear strategies and organized content.
I wanted an approach that goes beyond just memorizing grammar rules or outdated exercises.
Instead, I was after something practical and engaging with interactive elements and real life applications to make the learning process relevant and fun.
What was your goal when you started?
When I started, even now, my goal was twofold, combining both a practical necessity and a personal aspiration.
First, I aimed to pass an official German language exam at least the B1 level by April 2025.
This was a critical step because it’s a prerequisite for starting my dual study program in Germany.
Secondly, I wanted to learn German to connect more effectively with native speakers once I arrive in Germany.
Beyond just meeting the exam requirements, my long term goal is to acquire the language.
What struck you the most when you first came across my program?
What struck me the most when I first came across your program was how absolutely science-based and experience-driven it is.
I was impressed by how Manuel, in various blogs, highlights examples like Professor Steve Kaufmann’s comprehensible input techniques and Alexander Arguelles’s Scriptorium method, both of which really resonated with me as effective learning strategies.
On top of that, the podcasts featuring personal success stories from different students were incredibly inspiring and gave me a real sense of what’s possible.
Beyond these, the overall program structure, with its clear, lucid explanations and pragmatic approach, truly makes it stand out as a language course.
What was the biggest difference between my program and the way you had learned German before?
When I started learning German, I mainly used YouTube, so I don’t have experience with traditional language courses.
However, from what I’ve observed, many other programs seem to rely on rote grammar drills, outdated methods, and a one-size-fits-all approach.
Because of this, people often feel demotivated and don’t progress as much as they’d hope within a reasonable timeframe.
In contrast, Herr Professor’s program stands out with its innovative teaching and learning methods.
What’s truly amazing is how well it’s designed to meet the needs of everyone—whether you’re a student like me or a busy professional.
For example, there are several Memrise packages to practice key concepts and relevant vocabulary, followed by a fluency test. Honestly, if you truly commit to this program, you’re going to see outstanding progress and will be proud of yourself.
What results have you achieved so far through my program?
Through your program, I’ve achieved some satisfactory results so far.
Not only did I pass my B1 exam after just covering all the A2-level podcasts and exercises in less than five months, but I also feel much more confident in my abilities.
I can now comprehend others better and express my thoughts more clearly, all while keeping up with B1-level lectures. I’m really hopeful about making even more progress in the future!
How did you prepare for your B1 exam?
Oh, that’s an interesting story!
My B1 exam was scheduled for March 5th, and I started preparing exactly one month earlier with the help of Dan and Manuel.
At that point, I hadn’t even finished my last few A2 lectures, so I reached out to Manuel for advice.
He reassured me, saying, ‘You can clear the exam—just follow the exam preparation module.’
And with Dan’s help—special thanks to him—we practiced thoroughly. Sure enough, I passed the exam!
How long did it take you to prepare for your B1 exam?
I began learning German in September 2024 and then joined the ‘From Zero to C1’ program at the A2 level in November.
After that, I took my B1 exam in March 2025, so it took me about four months of focused preparation within the program to get ready.
What was the most difficult part of the exam?
For me, reading and listening felt like the toughest hurdles at first.
But when it came to the actual exam, the writing section threw me off the most—I think the time pressure just scrambled my focus.
Which specific resources were the most helpful to you along the way?
There were several resources that stood out as particularly helpful along the way.
To name a few, I found the Scriptorium technique incredibly effective for learning, as it helped me internalize grammar and vocabulary in a practical way.
The fluency test was also a game-changer, allowing me to assess my progress and pinpoint areas to improve.
And I can’t forget the Memrise packages—they were absolutely amazing for building and retaining vocabulary in an engaging, structured format.
How did you stay focused and motivated throughout the program?
From the very start, I had clear goals that kept me focused and motivated.
I aimed to pass my B1 exam by April 2025 and to become well-acquainted with German before arriving in Germany for the winter semester 2025.
As time went on and I made progress, my determination only grew stronger, it was like my hunger to succeed deepened.
On top of that, listening to the students in the podcasts was a huge boost.
I kept telling myself, ‘If they could do it, why can’t I?’
Their success stories really inspired me to stay on track.
How did you manage to balance a full-time job with learning German on the side?
Since I’m still a student with a part-time job in a hospital, balancing my work and learning German wasn’t too tough.
I found plenty of opportunities to fit it into my day, especially with the podcasts.
For example, I’d listen to them a lot while working, eating, traveling, or even at the gym.
It didn’t feel difficult because I could seamlessly weave the learning into my routine.
What did a typical daily learning routine look like for you?
As a student with a part-time job, I integrated German into my day seamlessly.
I’d wake up early for a run, listening to podcasts, then keep them on while preparing breakfast.
Back home, I’d practice the Scriptorium technique.
On my commute, I’d hear Manuel’s lessons, and at work, I’d use podcasts during monotonous tasks or do Memrise on breaks.
Lunch meant fluency test review, the gym paired workouts with podcasts, and before bed, I’d do more Scriptorium.
It was all about fitting learning into my routine.
How much time did you spend on average per day learning?
For me, it wasn’t an obligation since I loved the learning process, so I could easily dedicate 5-6 hours a day when I got into it.
What aspects of learning did you emphasize the most?
I emphasized listening and reading comprehension and practical vocabulary the most.
I leaned heavily on podcasts to tune my ear to the language.
Alongside that, now I have started focusing on writing practice with the Scriptorium technique to solidify grammar and expression, key for both my B1 exam and real-life conversations in Germany.
What was your biggest obstacle, and how did you overcome it?
My biggest obstacle was that whenever I heard German, I couldn’t comprehend it, everything just sounded like a blur.
Slowly with progress in the course, the fog lifted, and I started picking up phrases and understanding conversations.
What was the most important thing that helped you become more fluent in speaking?
The most important thing that helped me become more fluent in speaking was religiously following the course while staying honest with myself and holding myself accountable.
Sticking to the lessons consistently, reflecting on my progress, and pushing myself to stay on track made all the difference in building my confidence and fluency.
What helped you the most to overcome your fear of speaking to others?
I live in India, where there are very few people who speak German, so I haven’t had much exposure to speaking with native speakers.
That limited my opportunities to practice, however I practise with a few friends and their feedback helps a lot.
What’s one piece of advice you would give to someone who wants to learn German but struggles to find the time due to a busy life?
I understand that having limited time is a genuine concern, but as the saying goes, ‘Where there’s a will, there’s always a way.’
If you create a clear vision for yourself, you can definitely find at least 40–45 minutes a day to focus on learning the language.
For example, sorry it may sound rude, instead of spending time mindlessly scrolling on social media, you can commit that time to language learning.
Even while commuting or doing routine tasks, it’s possible to follow a program passively.
Also, the ‘Zero to C1’ course is specifically designed for busy professionals, it doesn’t overload you with unrealistic expectations but offers manageable content that fits into a tight schedule.
“From Zero To C1 in 25 Minutes a Day” is my All-Inclusive, complete, step-by-step, no fuss, hassle free 75 Lessons online program (yes, only 15 lessons for each Module A1/A2/B1/B2/C1) for Busy Professionals like you, so you can go from scratch to become fluent and confident to join meetings with your colleagues, negotiate with your clients and give presentations in front of your bosses IN GERMAN. Even if you have a busy working schedule.
If you’d like to be added to the Waiting List of “From Zero to C1”, enter your information below, and you’ll be the first to know when I re-open the course.