You've learned how to learn German. Now come practice with us.
Welcome to Dr. Bogard's Language Lab, a place to practice German, keep making progress, connect with other learners, and have a German expert in your corner.
This isn't another traditional German class.
It's a place to use "The Method", a learning system you've been taught already. We work together, you get help when you need it, and we all keep moving forward.
No grades.
No tests.
No pressure to be perfect.
Just German, with other people who are learning inside this system, and a place where you can keep going.
If you haven't taken the pre-requisite method course, click the link here to sign up.Then meet us back here when you are finished.
Qualified Expert
Built by a German teacher with more than three decades of classroom experience.
I have been teaching German students of all ages for more than 30 years. During that time I taught at school during the day and attended classes at USF Tampa where I earned a Master's degree in Foreign Language Education and a PhD in Second Language Acquisition.
I hold a current and valid Florida teaching certificate; and am licensed to teach K-12 German as a foreign language with an endorsement for meeting the needs of gifted learners. I was also an adjunct instructor at the University of Tampa and at USF in their Summer Intensive Language Institute.
Over the decades, I have welcomed over two thousand students into my school classroom and now I bring my online classroom live to you.
"The Method" trainings taught you HOW to learn German.
The Language Lab gives you a place to KEEP LEARNING.
If you've completed Dr. Bogard's German training program called "The Method", you now know a system for learning German independently. If you haven't learned the Method from me yet, please complete that prerequisite training program before enrolling in this Language Lab.
But knowing how to learn doesn't mean you never want help.
You may have a question.
You may want to practice.
You may discover something interesting and want to share it.
You may get stuck.
Or you may simply need a reason to sit down and keep working on your German.
That's what the Language Lab is for.
You don't have to learn German by yourself just because you're learning independently.
This isn't a traditional German class.
You don't have to sit up straight for this one.
- Bring your coffee.
- Grab a snack.
- Wear your comfy clothes.
- Show up in your favorite goofy hat.
The Language Lab isn't built around grades, tests, homework deadlines, or racing through a textbook.
There is no competition.
There is no expectation that everyone will be at exactly the same place.
And there is no need to pretend you understand something when you don't.
Instead, we have a place where you can use German, ask questions, experiment, make mistakes, and keep improving.
Come as you are.
So, what do we actually do?
A little German. A little conversation. A little discovery. A lot of learning.
Every lab session can be different.
We might:
- practice German you've already learned
- work on pronunciation
- explore useful words and expressions
- answer questions about grammar
- practice conversation
- talk about something happening in German-speaking countries
- share something we've discovered
- work through a challenge
- explore a seasonal German tradition
- or simply spend an hour using German together
You won't be sitting through another hour-long lecture every time you come to the Lab.
And you won't be following a rigid curriculum that assumes everyone is in the same place.
The Lab responds to the learners who are actually there.
That's what makes it a lab.
Your German expert is in the (online) room with you.
You're learning independently. You're not on your own.
This is one of the biggest differences between the Language Lab and simply studying German by yourself.
I'm there.
You can ask me the question that has been bothering you.
You can show me something you're working on.
You can tell me what you're struggling with.
And I can help you figure out what to do next.
The more I get to know you, the better I can guide you.
- What comes easily to you?
- What tends to trip you up?
- What do you enjoy?
- What are you curious about?
- What do you want to be able to do in German?
Independent learning doesn't mean figuring everything out alone.
It means becoming capable of directing your own learning, with an expert available to help you along the way.
The more you come, the more we get to know each other.
And that's where our Language Lab becomes more than a class.
Over time, I'll get to know you.
You'll get to know me.
You'll get to know the other learners.
You'll hear their questions.
They'll hear yours.
You'll discover that the thing you thought only you found difficult is something other people struggle with, too.
You'll have people to practice with.
People to encourage you.
People who understand why you're excited about finally figuring out a German expression.
That's the kind of community I want the Language Lab to become.
Not a classroom where everyone comes in, works, and leaves.
A place where people know each other.
A bit of Germany pops up in the lab, because German is more fun when it connects to real life.
Throughout the year, we'll bring hints of German holidays, festivals, traditions, and seasonal events into the lab.
Depending on the time of year, we might explore:
Karneval.
Martinstag.
Weihnachtsmärkte.
Ostern.
Oktoberfest.
Walpurgisnacht.
Maifest.
Spargelfest.
Sometimes we'll learn about a tradition.
Sometimes we'll learn a phrase connected to it.
Sometimes we'll make something.
Sometimes we'll simply use the occasion as an excuse to do something fun in German.
It's not a German culture course (although those exist here as well).
It's just a little German flavor woven into what we're already doing.
Participate in the extras as much, or as little, as you like.
Want to decorate your online workspace for a German holiday?
Go for it.
Want to make a little German craft at home and show it to us in class? Even better.
I'll share some of the German arts-and-crafts activities I've collected over the years.
You may earn a little digital German sticker for making an extra effort or adding something special to our Lab.
Not grades.
Not points.
Not a competition.
Just a little: “I noticed, and it made our lab better.”
One Language Lab. Choose Your Level Of Participation. How much German time do you want?
There is one Language Lab community that meets for an hour every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday for 9 weeks.
You simply choose the level of participation that fits your life.
GOLD MEMBERSHIP
Three one-hour Lab sessions per week
9 weeks of live Lab sessions
27 sessions
$2,700
Gold members participate in all three weekly Lab sessions.
That means more practice.
More opportunities to ask questions.
More interaction with other learners.
And, perhaps most importantly, more time with me.
Gold is for learners who want the strongest ongoing mentor-and-learner relationship with Dr. Bogard.
Gold members also receive a bonus course during the two weeks when the live Lab is closed. Each 9-week Lab happens inside an 11-week cycle so we can have 2 weeks off for holidays or a personal event.
SILVER MEMBERSHIP
One one-hour Lab session per week
9 weeks of live Lab sessions
9 sessions
$900
Silver members choose one day each week to be part of the Lab community.
It's a great way to have a regular place to practice, ask questions, and stay connected to German without making the larger weekly commitment of Gold.
A small thank-you
I have enormous appreciation for the people who serve our communities.
As a small expression of my thanks, current first responders and active military receive 5% off their Language Lab purchase.
If you're a first responder (police, firefighter, ambulance EMT) message me ([email protected]) before you enroll, and I'll send you your personal discount code.
Thank you for your service and what you do.
Want to try the lab without a membership? Come visit us.
Maybe your schedule changes from week to week.
Maybe you're traveling.
Maybe you aren't ready to make a full-cycle commitment.
Or maybe you simply want to experience the Lab before deciding whether membership is right for you.
You can purchase a pack of visitor passes instead.
3-VISIT PACK — $300
Three one-hour Lab sessions.
6-VISIT PACK — $600
Six one-hour Lab sessions.
Visitor passes are valid for three months after purchase.
Use them when they work for you.
A visitor's pack is often a well-received and appreciated gift for an eager German learner. Remember: there is a pre-requisite training course that must be attended first (or at the same time), so a learner knows how to participate in this Language Lab. Click this link to go to that pre-requisite method course.
THE LAB SCHEDULE
One Language Lab. Pick one session block and stick with it for three days a week.
The Language Lab meets for an hour Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday for 9-weeks in an 11-week cycle. You choose the session block that works best for you.
AUGUST - MAY (My School Year Schedule):
C BLOCK
- 3:00–4:00PM EST
- 12:00-1:00PM PST
- 21-22:00 CET (Central Europe)
I do not offer this C Block when I'm physically in Germany (it's too late in the day).
D BLOCK
- 5:30–6:30 PM
- 2:30-3:30 PST
- 23:30-1:30 CET (Central Europe)
I do not offer this D Block when I'm physically in Germany (it's too late in the day).
---------
JUNE - JULY (My Summer Vacation Schedule):
A BLOCK
- 10:00AM–11:00PM EST
- 7:00-8:00AM PST
- 16:00-17:00 CET (Central Europe)
B BLOCK
- 1:00–2:00 PM
- 10:00AM-11:00AM PST
- 19:00-20:00 CET (Central Europe)
We work together for 9-weeks within an 11-week program.
Each Language Lab cycle spans 11 calendar weeks and includes 9 weeks (Tuesday-Thursday) of live language lab sessions.
The two weeks when the live lab is closed are built into the 11-week cycle. They may happen during holidays such as Thanksgiving or Christmas, or at another point that makes sense for the calendar and my schedule.
Those two weeks give everyone a chance to enjoy holidays, travel, take care of personal commitments, or simply take a break.
Gold members receive a bonus course to enjoy during the two weeks when the live lab is closed.
At the end of the 11-week cycle, you can join a new cycle with us.
When does the next Language Lab begin?
Lab cycles are designed around a traditional 9-week school quarter, but we won't force a new cycle to begin on an arbitrary date.
The next Lab opening will depend on the current cohort, my travel schedule, and when we're ready to welcome a new group of learners.
You'll know when the next lab cycle is open for enrollment. You shared your email when you signed into this website and that's where announcements are sent. You can also send me a short email: [email protected] , letting me know when you can start. Then I'll find you the next cohort to join.
Don't Just Take My Word For It
This is what my students are saying:
The Lab course involves listening to a short episode in German and evaluating it to better understand the language through speaking and writing. I wouldn't say this class is hard, but it is time consuming depending on your pace. What I like about this course overall is the joy I feel after completing all the assignments for an episode and feeling more knowledgeable about the German language. My favorite assignment is A4a because it's the easiest. All I have to do is rewrite the script and put pronunciation notes in before I shadow read with my group. The Lab course has improved my German by strengthening my pronunciation skills. I think it is the most successful form of curriculum because repeating the same script in different ways is repetitive, but it helps really memorize vocabulary, as well as shadowing with your group and the video helps with improving your pronunciation.
In The Lab, you watch a video and do assignments based off the video (one assignment per day). First, you translate in one direction, then you translate the other way. Third, you find German phrases that fir the rule and write them down in your notebook to subconsciously study. The first part of the fourth assignment you write down the German script and put the pronunciations in, like how some letters are pronounced differently in German than English and the additional German letters and accents. The second part of the fourth assignment on the next day has you practice the German script with your peers and then present it. Then for part one of assignment five you quiz yourself on the phrases from part three. And finally for the second part of assignment five, which you do on the same day as part one, you do the practice questions under the video. It's not hard and very straightforward. I like this course since it's the same assignments repeated, which makes learning very easy, especially since you see the same words repeated a lot. My favorite assignment is the first one, where you translate German to English, since I get to see how the root words are shared and I can deduce the meaning of German words by basing them off of English ones. The lab improved my German significantly, especially since I knew practically none before I started. I understand many phrases, words, and grammar which wouldn't have been possible without this course. I can't think of anything I would like to add or remove from this class. I enjoy how it's structured and how it's not very complicated.
It is a fun course that helps you understand German through unique storytelling. It is not a hard course. I get to act out real scenarios in German that has drastically improved my pronunciation. A4B is my favorite assignment because it helps me with actually verbalizing German. It has helped with my guessing skills and pronunciation.
The lab is a course that gives you multiple ways to learn German, such as watching videos and being able to read their scripts, learn about the culture of Germany, and study vocabulary words associated with that video. Collectively, the assignments are not hard; they just take time to complete. I like how interactive the course is and how entertaining the videos are. I personally like assignment A4b the most because it builds confidence, reduces stage fright, and opens up an opportunity to know your classmates. The lab has improved my German by showing me new phrases, how conversations flow, and helps build my speaking speed.
J - coming soon
D- coming soon
You're getting much more than an hour of German.
You're getting a place to:
Practice.
Ask questions.
Get feedback.
Try something new.
Share what you've discovered.
Connect with other learners.
Get a German expert in your corner.
And perhaps most importantly...
a reason to keep going.
Because learning a language is a long-term project.
There will be days when you're fascinated by German.
There will be days when German makes perfect sense.
And there will probably be days when you wonder why German has so many cases.
That's normal.
You don't need to be motivated every single day.
You need a place that helps you keep going.
That's what the Language Lab is designed to provide.
Hi, I'm Dr. Bogard.
My students just call me "Frau". I've spent more than three decades teaching German.
Over all those years, I've learned something important:
Knowing German and knowing how to learn German are two different things.
I've watched learners struggle not because they weren't capable of learning German, but because they didn't know what to do with the German they were given.
So I developed a system.
A system that breaks the learning process into specific steps.
A system that tells learners what to do with a German video.
A system that makes them listen, translate, reconstruct, speak, retrieve, review, and identify their weaknesses.
And a system that gradually gives the learner more responsibility for their own learning.
That's what I want to teach you.
I don't want you to need me forever.
I want you to know how to learn German—and to know that I'm here when you need an expert.
Come Spend Time With Us
You don't have to speak German already to belong here.
You don't need hundreds of German words. It's fine if all you can say is "Hallo!"
You don't need to be naturally “good at languages.”
You don't need to have everything figured out.
You simply need to be willing to learn.
I'll bring the German.
You bring your curiosity.
Maybe your coffee.
Maybe a snack.
Maybe a goofy hat.
And we'll see what we can learn together.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Can I get school credit for this?
Dr. Bogard is a state-certified teacher, and you are attending a professionally run class with an official German curriculum. Please contact your school district or educational leadership about earning transcript credit.
-
Do I need to know German already?
No. Just a sincere desire to want to acquire German skills and the time and effort to make that a reality.
-
Will I have to study by myself?
You'll learn how to work independently, but independent learning doesn't mean being completely on your own. You'll have access to expert support when you need help.
-
Can I get a discount?
You are already getting a great value here! The cost for 9 weeks of instruction using an especially fine-crafted and efficient method of learning, personal support and guidance from a Ph.D. teacher with more than 30 years of German teaching experience can't be beat. Sign up now before this class is full and the price increases.
-
What age group is this for?
The Language Lab is for motivated learners ages 13 through adulthood. Our classrooms consist of diverse and mixed-age students.
-
Do I have to do all of the steps?
Yes. Our Language Lab follows Dr. Bogard's precise "Method" system. The steps are designed to work together, so skipping steps or changing the order changes the learning process.
-
Is there homework?
Yes, sometimes. You must finish the day's assigned classwork before the next meeting so that you are prepared to participate in the next meeting's activity.
-
What happens at the end of the Language Lab?
You'll have mastered Dr. Bogard's system so you can use it to continue studying German independently. If you want ongoing live practice and expert support, then join us for another 9-week cycle.
-
What's the difference between "The Method" and the Language Lab?
The Method teaches you HOW to learn German. The Language Lab gives you a place to KEEP USING "The Method", with live German practice and expert support.
Your Investment Is Protected
If you change your mind about wanting to be in the next Language Lab cycle, you can get a full refund when you send us an email with your cancelation request before your first scheduled lab session. Missing a live class for any reason will not result in an additional lab session meeting.