English Breakthrough for Germans

From frustration to C1. What changed? An interview with Miles from Oxford.


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In this episode, I speak with my friend Miles, who moved from England to Germany and eventually reached C1 German after years of frustration, false starts, and self-doubt.

We first met in a German class in Sydney more than 15 years ago. Back then, neither of us knew where our language-learning journeys would lead. Today, Miles works in Germany, holds a C1 certificate, and can comfortably participate in meetings, dinner parties, and everyday life in German.

We discuss:

  • Why he struggled for so long despite being intelligent and motivated
  • The mindset shift that finally helped him make real progress
  • The difference between passing a language exam and actually speaking a language
  • Why confidence matters more than perfection
  • The role of reading, graded readers, flashcards, and structured courses
  • What German speakers should focus on when using English at work
  • Why many learners are held back by shame and fear of making mistakes
  • If you've ever felt stuck, frustrated, or convinced that you're simply "not good at languages", this episode is for you.

    Patreon link: https://www.patreon.com/cw/englishbreakthroughforgermans

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    English Breakthrough for GermansBy Mike Budden