Top 10 German
learning podcast
4.9 ✮
App Podcasts
10k learners
1 Comprehend
Read, listen and prove understanding.
2 Learn words
Quickly practice target vocabulary.
3 Test vocabulary
Test and re-practice vocabulary to get it under your skin.
4 Write with AI
Write the story in your words with AI assistance.
1 Comprehend
Read, listen and prove understanding.
2 Learn words
Quickly practice target vocabulary.
3 Test vocabulary
Test and re-practice vocabulary to get it under your skin.
4 Write with AI
Write the story in your words with AI assistance.
1 Comprehend
Read, listen and prove understanding.
2 Learn words
Quickly practice target vocabulary.
3 Test vocabulary
Test and re-practice vocabulary to get it under your skin.
4 Write with AI
Write the story in your words with AI assistance.
Micro Stories are catalysts for long-term memory
Learn vocabulary and phrases in context of tiny stories – based on real events from the news.
Unique learning flow grounded in science
We've done a lot of research and user tests to discover a surprisingly effective learning flow.
Learn in context
Every word is learned in a compelling story, never in isolation. Students are 3.7 times more likely to remember words encountered in story contexts than in isolated drills.
Learn in context
Every word is learned in a compelling story, never in isolation. Students are 3.7 times more likely to remember words encountered in story contexts than in isolated drills.
No passive brain time
Your brain stays constantly engaged with questions and challenges. Studies prove active recall beats passive reading 80% vs 30%—no mental coasting allowed.
No passive brain time
Your brain stays constantly engaged with questions and challenges. Studies prove active recall beats passive reading 80% vs 30%—no mental coasting allowed.
Easy with hard
We mix quick retrieval wins with challenging tasks. Research shows that tests led to 20-30% higher recall than passive recognition—preventing memory’s natural forgetting.
Easy with hard
We mix quick retrieval wins with challenging tasks. Research shows that tests led to 20-30% higher recall than passive recognition—preventing memory’s natural forgetting.
Write in your words
When you paraphrase stories in German you activate the "generation effect." Students who who used paraphrasing strategy scored 3 times higher.
Write in your words
When you paraphrase stories in German you activate the "generation effect." Students who who used paraphrasing strategy scored 3 times higher.
Ready for practical use
Our learning flow prepares you to retell stories to your friends. Research shows storytelling strengthens vocabulary, with 78% of learners reporting improved retention and greater confidence using new words in real life.
Ready for practical use
Our learning flow prepares you to retell stories to your friends. Research shows storytelling strengthens vocabulary, with 78% of learners reporting improved retention and greater confidence using new words in real life.
Freebies
We work hard every week to create free learning resources for our lovely community.
Learn with our podcast
Weekly micro stories in A2 or B1
Top 10 German learning podcast
Top 10 German learning podcast
8000 followers
8000 followers
4.9 on Apple Podcasts
4.9 on Apple Podcasts
1-2 minutes short stories (real events)
1-2 minutes short stories (real events)
Vocabulary audio, translations
Vocabulary audio, translations
"I love your micro stories! Thank you for making them :)"
Witold
"I love your micro stories! Thank you for making them :)"
Witold
"I love your micro stories! Thank you for making them :)"
Witold
"I find it to be very effective. I appreciate the repetition and the ability to repeatedly hear the same passages with increased understanding."
Amy
"I find it to be very effective. I appreciate the repetition and the ability to repeatedly hear the same passages with increased understanding."
Amy
"I find it to be very effective. I appreciate the repetition and the ability to repeatedly hear the same passages with increased understanding."
Amy
"Peter, so glad you’re back. Thank you for the story and the e mail. Glad I found your site. It is excellent."
Shari M.
"Peter, so glad you’re back. Thank you for the story and the e mail. Glad I found your site. It is excellent."
Shari M.
"Peter, so glad you’re back. Thank you for the story and the e mail. Glad I found your site. It is excellent."
Shari M.
"The Most useful Tool ever for Deutsch lernen"
Yvonne
"The Most useful Tool ever for Deutsch lernen"
Yvonne
"The Most useful Tool ever for Deutsch lernen"
Yvonne
"Hallo Peter, First off I'd like to thank you for starting this project and having me along for the ride, I am very much interested in improving my German, and this seems like an interesting and fun way to do so."
Nikolay
"Hallo Peter, First off I'd like to thank you for starting this project and having me along for the ride, I am very much interested in improving my German, and this seems like an interesting and fun way to do so."
Nikolay
"Hallo Peter, First off I'd like to thank you for starting this project and having me along for the ride, I am very much interested in improving my German, and this seems like an interesting and fun way to do so."
Nikolay
"I really like your sharings, and thank you so much."
Seyit
"I really like your sharings, and thank you so much."
Seyit
"I really like your sharings, and thank you so much."
Seyit
"Guten Tag :-). Die Lektion ist sehr gut gelaufen. Ich habe nicht nur mehr Deutsch gelernt sondern auch etwas Neues. Ich hatte noch nie vom Didgeridoo gehört."
Hannah
"Guten Tag :-). Die Lektion ist sehr gut gelaufen. Ich habe nicht nur mehr Deutsch gelernt sondern auch etwas Neues. Ich hatte noch nie vom Didgeridoo gehört."
Hannah
"Guten Tag :-). Die Lektion ist sehr gut gelaufen. Ich habe nicht nur mehr Deutsch gelernt sondern auch etwas Neues. Ich hatte noch nie vom Didgeridoo gehört."
Hannah
"this is awesome!! i take a german class but the school year has ended. i will tell my teacher about this!!"
Katea Z.
"this is awesome!! i take a german class but the school year has ended. i will tell my teacher about this!!"
Katea Z.
"this is awesome!! i take a german class but the school year has ended. i will tell my teacher about this!!"
Katea Z.
"Hey Peter, I really loved this story! Momofuku really did save the world with top ramen"
Ayush
"Hey Peter, I really loved this story! Momofuku really did save the world with top ramen"
Ayush
"Hey Peter, I really loved this story! Momofuku really did save the world with top ramen"
Ayush
"I really like this platform. You incorporate reading and listening comprehension, and the AI beta works really well to get me to express in writing what I had just learned using some of the new vocabulary. You also include grammar tips which are super helpful. Hearing the story read in its entirety at the end is great and reinforced what was learned. "
Jean G.
"I really like this platform. You incorporate reading and listening comprehension, and the AI beta works really well to get me to express in writing what I had just learned using some of the new vocabulary. You also include grammar tips which are super helpful. Hearing the story read in its entirety at the end is great and reinforced what was learned. "
Jean G.
"I really like this platform. You incorporate reading and listening comprehension, and the AI beta works really well to get me to express in writing what I had just learned using some of the new vocabulary. You also include grammar tips which are super helpful. Hearing the story read in its entirety at the end is great and reinforced what was learned. "
Jean G.
Stories: Building Upwordo and learning German
Get to know the team, read the stories from the making, and learn how to learn German.
Your Questions, Answered
Find answers to common questions about learning German with Upwordo.
What language levels does Upwordo cover?
We cover levels German A1, A2, B1, and B2. You can start with Upwordo as a total beginner, and it’s great also for intermediate learners, who need to learn a lot of vocabulary in context.
Is it an app or is it on the web?
You can use Upwordo directly in your browser.
Do you have a native app?
Currently Upwordo is accessible in a browser or a Progressive app which works like a bookmark on a phone or Chrome on desktop. To do that just follow the instructions on a pop up that opens while using the app. We will be launching a native iOS and Android app when the time comes :)
Does it work offline?
Currently, the app only works while you are online.
What do I get for free?
You get one new micro story every week, including its audio, exercises, and vocabulary. It’s completely free, with no ads. You can also subscribe to a free weekly newsletter to practice directly in a mailbox, and follow our weekly podcast with micro stories and translations.
What's included in the paid version?
With the All Stories Pass, you unlock 170+ micro story episodes, a new stories every week, access to all stories for A1–B2 levels. All repeating and features are unlocked. Unlock more AI feedbacks for writing stories in your own words.
Are there any ads?
No. Upwordo is 100% ad-free — for both free and paid users. We support the project Upwordo from selling All Stories Passes.
What language levels does Upwordo cover?
We cover levels German A1, A2, B1, and B2. You can start with Upwordo as a total beginner, and it’s great also for intermediate learners, who need to learn a lot of vocabulary in context.
Is it an app or is it on the web?
You can use Upwordo directly in your browser.
Do you have a native app?
Currently Upwordo is accessible in a browser or a Progressive app which works like a bookmark on a phone or Chrome on desktop. To do that just follow the instructions on a pop up that opens while using the app. We will be launching a native iOS and Android app when the time comes :)
Does it work offline?
Currently, the app only works while you are online.
What do I get for free?
You get one new micro story every week, including its audio, exercises, and vocabulary. It’s completely free, with no ads. You can also subscribe to a free weekly newsletter to practice directly in a mailbox, and follow our weekly podcast with micro stories and translations.
What's included in the paid version?
With the All Stories Pass, you unlock 170+ micro story episodes, a new stories every week, access to all stories for A1–B2 levels. All repeating and features are unlocked. Unlock more AI feedbacks for writing stories in your own words.
Are there any ads?
No. Upwordo is 100% ad-free — for both free and paid users. We support the project Upwordo from selling All Stories Passes.
What language levels does Upwordo cover?
We cover levels German A1, A2, B1, and B2. You can start with Upwordo as a total beginner, and it’s great also for intermediate learners, who need to learn a lot of vocabulary in context.
Is it an app or is it on the web?
You can use Upwordo directly in your browser.
Do you have a native app?
Currently Upwordo is accessible in a browser or a Progressive app which works like a bookmark on a phone or Chrome on desktop. To do that just follow the instructions on a pop up that opens while using the app. We will be launching a native iOS and Android app when the time comes :)
Does it work offline?
Currently, the app only works while you are online.
What do I get for free?
You get one new micro story every week, including its audio, exercises, and vocabulary. It’s completely free, with no ads. You can also subscribe to a free weekly newsletter to practice directly in a mailbox, and follow our weekly podcast with micro stories and translations.
What's included in the paid version?
With the All Stories Pass, you unlock 170+ micro story episodes, a new stories every week, access to all stories for A1–B2 levels. All repeating and features are unlocked. Unlock more AI feedbacks for writing stories in your own words.
Are there any ads?
No. Upwordo is 100% ad-free — for both free and paid users. We support the project Upwordo from selling All Stories Passes.
Unique learning flow grounded in science
We've done a lot of research and user tests to discover a surprisingly effective learning flow.
Learn in context
Every word is learned in a compelling story, never in isolation. Students are 3.7 times more likely to remember words encountered in story contexts than in isolated drills.
Learn in context
Every word is learned in a compelling story, never in isolation. Students are 3.7 times more likely to remember words encountered in story contexts than in isolated drills.
No passive brain time
Your brain stays constantly engaged with questions and challenges. Studies prove active recall beats passive reading 80% vs 30%—no mental coasting allowed.
No passive brain time
Your brain stays constantly engaged with questions and challenges. Studies prove active recall beats passive reading 80% vs 30%—no mental coasting allowed.
Easy with hard
We mix quick retrieval wins with challenging tasks. Research shows that tests led to 20-30% higher recall than passive recognition—preventing memory’s natural forgetting.
Easy with hard
We mix quick retrieval wins with challenging tasks. Research shows that tests led to 20-30% higher recall than passive recognition—preventing memory’s natural forgetting.
Ready for practical use
Our learning flow prepares you to retell stories to your friends. Research shows storytelling strengthens vocabulary, with 78% of learners reporting improved retention and greater confidence using new words in real life.
Ready for practical use
Our learning flow prepares you to retell stories to your friends. Research shows storytelling strengthens vocabulary, with 78% of learners reporting improved retention and greater confidence using new words in real life.
Write in your words
When you paraphrase stories in German you activate the "generation effect." Students who who used paraphrasing strategy scored 3 times higher.
Write in your words
When you paraphrase stories in German you activate the "generation effect." Students who who used paraphrasing strategy scored 3 times higher.
Write in your words
When you paraphrase stories in German you activate the "generation effect." Students who who used paraphrasing strategy scored 3 times higher.
Ready for practical use
Our learning flow prepares you to retell stories to your friends. Research shows storytelling strengthens vocabulary, with 78% of learners reporting improved retention and greater confidence using new words in real life.
Freebies
We work hard every week to create free learning resources for our lovely community.
Learn in your mailbox
Weekly micro stories in A2 or B1
2000 subscribers
2000 subscribers
Short micro story every week
Short micro story every week
Vocabulary, memo helps, translation, fill in practice
Vocabulary, memo helps, translation, fill in practice
Learn with our podcast
Weekly micro stories in A2 or B1
Top 10 German learning podcast
Top 10 German learning podcast
8000 followers
8000 followers
4.9 on Apple Podcasts
4.9 on Apple Podcasts
1-2 minutes short stories
1-2 minutes short stories
Vocabulary audio, translations
Vocabulary audio, translations