I feel very well looked after at DIALOG!

Hello, everyone!

My name is Renata and I work as a human rights lawyer and consultant on various projects while continuing to improve my German language skills at DIALOG. I never thought that after four years in Vienna I would finally reach C1 level!

I have always loved languages – my mother tongue is Portuguese, and I learned English as a child (including an exchange programme in Canada). I picked up Spanish quite spontaneously during my Erasmus programme in Spain. I also learned a little French and always had the goal of being able to communicate in as many Romance languages as possible.

Then I received a full scholarship to study for my master’s degree in Vienna. And suddenly it dawned on me: Oh dear, now I have to learn German!

I have been studying at DIALOG since January 2022 and have tried almost all of the courses on offer: intensive courses, evening courses, grammar and conversation courses as well as various workshops. I had to take a break for a year because work and studies became too much, but since June 2025 I have been attending an intensive course again and have now almost completed C1.2 (as of the end of August 2025).

Incidentally, I found out about DIALOG through my flatmate at the time. She is Austrian and taught there herself for a while. Since joining DIALOG, I feel very well looked after and highly motivated.

Would you like to learn a new language too? Find out here how Renata benefited from the German course offered at our language school. Let’s get started!

Customer service & atmosphere at DIALOG

DIALOG: How did the personal support at DIALOG – DER SPRACHCAMPUS help you and what impact did it have on your success in learning German?

RENATA: At DIALOG, the support is really very personal. Even though I don’t always stay after class, the entire team knows me by name – sometimes they even say “bom dia” because they know I’m from Brazil. I feel very welcome, and all my concerns – from documents and bureaucratic issues to tips – are taken seriously and well looked after by the DIALOG team. My learning success is largely due to the fact that they have shown me opportunities and supported me, for example, with applications for Austrian authorities.

My learning success is largely due to the fact that they showed me opportunities and supported me.

DIALOG: How did you find the atmosphere? Did it help you feel comfortable and motivated to learn German?

RENATA: The atmosphere at DIALOG is like being at home. It’s cosy, and because it’s a rather small language school, everyone knows each other. I feel very welcome, relaxed and motivated there – and I look forward to learning in this positive and personal environment every time.

Course groups & offerings

DIALOG: How did the trainers support you in learning German? Which specific aspects of the courses did you particularly like?

All the tutors are very well prepared, open and in constant communication with the students. Whenever I needed tips or support on how to improve my German, I received helpful and practical advice. They are also fun, dynamic and make the courses varied with games, videos, discussions and exercises from the book. I particularly like the mix of different methods and exercises – reading, listening, speaking, watching and even playing games. There is always a lot of interaction in class, not just passive learning. I also think it’s great that the teachers often compare aspects of the German language with the participants’ first/second languages.

I particularly like the mix of different methods and exercises.

DIALOG: Did you benefit from the flexibility of the class times? Was it possible to combine your German courses with other commitments?

RENATA: Absolutely! Many other schools are less flexible, but DIALOG has always taken my needs into consideration. When I couldn’t attend regular classes because I was too busy at work, I was able to take a mixture of conversation and grammar classes at different times. That was extremely helpful, otherwise I wouldn’t have been able to practise my German so regularly.

Resources & Self-study

DIALOG: Which technical tools (websites, apps, etc.) have helped you improve your German language skills?

RENATA: In addition to the courses, I practise German with podcasts – for example, “Thema des Tages”, “Besser Leben” or “Easy German”, often while I’m out jogging. I sometimes read in German, such as books I’ve already read in Portuguese, or magazines like Deutsch Perfekt. I also find tandem partners very helpful. For two years now, I’ve been meeting my tandem partner every week in different cafés, which allows me to discover new places and practise vocabulary and grammar while speaking at the same time.

Learning German in Vienna

DIALOG: What are your favourite words or phrases in Austrian German? And which ones do you find rather amusing?

RENATA: I have many. Some of them are not suitable for minors, haha. But I particularly like:

• Hawedere
• Pfiat di
• Wurscht!
• Passt scho!
• Geh bitte!
• Jause

Vienna is a beautiful city with many possibilities in summer and winter.

DIALOG: What is the best thing to do in Vienna when you need a break from learning German?

RENATA: Vienna is a beautiful city with lots to do in summer and winter. If you’re a summer fan like me, you can go swimming on the Danube Island after class or relax in one of the many outdoor swimming pools. If you love sports, you can cycle in the parks and surrounding areas. And if you enjoy hiking, you can quickly get out into nature; trains and buses will take you anywhere you want to go. When the weather is not so good, Vienna has an incredible museum scene to suit every taste. Or you can enjoy a cosy pub with a local beer or visit a wine tavern for a good glass of wine.

Learning success & conclusion

DIALOG: Do you feel that the course has given you the necessary tools to communicate successfully in a German-speaking environment?

RENATA: Yes! After a lot of effort and with the support of DIALOG, I can finally say that I understand my surroundings well, although it can still be difficult sometimes when people speak with a very strong dialect. But I’m trying! I feel much more confident expressing myself and connecting with those around me.

DIALOG: What do you still find difficult in everyday life, even though you can already communicate well in German?

RENATA: Definitely strong dialects or situations in an academic environment with very sophisticated vocabulary and lots of new terms.

DIALOG impresses not only with the right tools and learning methods, but above all with its personalised and excellent service.

DIALOG: How did DIALOG – DER SPRACHCAMPUS meet your expectations of a German course, and would you recommend the school to others?

RENATA: 100%! DIALOG impresses not only with the right tools and learning methods, but above all with its personalised and excellent service. All my questions were answered on the same day, with constant follow-up and individual tips on how I can improve my German. The people at DIALOG are super friendly and approachable – you really feel at home there. I recommend it to absolutely everyone! 😊

Here you can get an insight into our additional material: Learning material for C1

September 2025