German with Dr. Wolfgang Soldan

$60/hour

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Introduction: I specialize in preparing individuals for challenging tests such as the SAT I and II – German, AP German, the language test for residency in Germany, and the German language admission test at universities. I have a successful track record of teaching German at all grade levels, in traditional classrooms, individually, and online. I tailor my lesson plans to meet each student's unique needs. With over two decades of experience teaching English in Germany and developing textbooks for the English classroom, I have a wealth of knowledge to offer. Since living in the United States, I have thoroughly enjoyed teaching German from beginner to college level. My teaching experience extends to students of all ages, from elementary school children to adults seeking German language skills for their careers or personal enrichment. I have also developed curricula for teaching German in public and private schools and have written articles in German literature. My academic background (MA in German and English and a Ph.D. in education) makes me well-equipped to provide high-quality instruction. Having taught individual students German or English as a Foreign Language in Germany and the US, I am eager to share my expertise with anyone interested in learning German online from anywhere in the world. Willkommen! Welcome.

Overview

Hired 14 times

Serves San Antonio, TX

Background checked

33 years in business

Payment methods

This pro accepts payments via Apple Pay, Check, PayPal, Venmo, and Zelle.

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Facebook, Twitter

Featured Projects

6 photos

Reviews

Customers rated this pro highly for professionalism, work quality, and responsiveness.

Exceptional 5.0

16 reviews

100%

Read reviews that mention:

Reese S.

Jun 29, 2023

Hired on Thumbtack

Mr. Soldan is great. I am thoroughly enjoying my German lessons. I use to speak German very frequently, but have lost a lot of it. Mr. Soldan makes learning and conversing in German a fun and great experience.

Details: 26 - 44 years old • Intermediate • Full fluency • Intermediate • Intermediate • Full literacy • 30 minutes • The german tutor travels to me • Phone or internet (no in-person meeting) • I travel to the german tutor

German with Dr. Wolfgang Soldan's reply

Thank you for your kind words.

German Lessons

Zach d.

Nov 6, 2022

Hired on Thumbtack

Only 4 lessons in with Wolfgang, and my German has improved drastically. Wolfgang is very charismatic, always on time, and he’s incredibly intelligent. Not only is he great at helping me learn to speak German, I’m also learning so much on the history of the German language/culture as whole. Dr. Wolfgang ist unübertroffen!

Details: 26 - 44 years old • No experience • Full fluency • Beginner • No experience • Full literacy • 45 minutes • Phone or internet (no in-person meeting)

German with Dr. Wolfgang Soldan's reply

Danke, Zach.

German Lessons

Gage S.

Jun 29, 2023

Hired on Thumbtack

Wolfgang is very responsive, eager to help, and a joy to work with. I look forward to learning and becoming more comfortable with German under his tutelage.

Details: 26 - 44 years old • Beginner • Conversational proficiency • Beginner • Beginner • Full literacy • 60 minutes • I travel to the german tutor • The german tutor travels to me • Phone or internet (no in-person meeting)

German Lessons

Craig D.

2 days ago

Several months back I was looking for a tutor to help me strengthen my decades-old German skills and prepare for the German C-1 level language certification. My brother happened to find Dr. Soldan on this site and sent his profile my way. The rest, as they say, is history. I strongly recommend Dr. Soldan to those who seek to improve their written and spoken German, especially those preparing for an official examination of one’s proficiency (A1-2, B1-2, C1-2). Dr. Soldan brings decades of experience to bear in customizing instruction to meet one’s needs; this is true not only at the outset and based on a student’s stated goals but even more valuable over an extended period (in my case, weekly sessions) as he grows to understand one’s learning style and (German) language strengths and areas for improvement. He excels at continually refining his approach to instruction and homework based on a student’s skill level, engagement, and participation—both as self-reported by the student and that which he evaluates as an instructor. He keeps it fun while still being challenging and engaging. I should also add that his rates are very reasonable. Dr. Soldan works at your pace and gives plenty of opportunity and material to practice (or not—the choice is yours). He’s a big fan of a lot of conversation in German; this is one of the best ways to hone one’s skills, both in grammar and vocabulary, and I fully agree. He’s happy to switch to English to hurdle a tough spot, but I like that he uses this sparingly. Immersion is everything; he has proved this to me over the last ten months. Dr. Soldan is very good at ensuring that your time and money spent each session is beneficial—and this shows itself when you have those “Aha!” moments when you suddenly realize you can say/think/write something in German that you hadn’t before—and that it comes without extra mental translation cycles. Dr. Soldan is sharp and infinitely patient, and he is always professional. He also has a terrific dry wit that he inserts with surgical precision into the conversation, always, of course, first gauging a student’s willingness to engage. It sounds perhaps odd, but Dr. Soldan once pointed out that when one can read, understand, and comment on written or spoken jokes (in a foreign language), it is to have demonstrated a high level of competency—something I didn’t at first appreciate but which has rung very true, particularly for more advanced students. As for materials, he presents various types, depending on one’s topics of interest and skill level. He’s also an excellent resource for studying extra materials. I am so glad to have found Dr. Soldan to help with my C1-level proficiency exam preparation. Even though I have lacked consistency with my due diligence, I feel I’m well on my way to passing the C1-level exam—hopefully this year. I look forward to my sessions because not only is my German steadily improving, but I’ve also discovered that he’s a walking encyclopedia on topics of all ilk (especially history and language), and that helps with providing interesting and challenging material while also being efficacious.

Emily G.

Apr 27, 2023

Hired on Thumbtack

Wolfgang is an EXCELLENT German teacher. He’s patient and knowledgeable with an immense teaching background that enables him to relay concepts in a way in that really stick. He’s also got a warm personality and a lot of patience, which is great when you’re starting out in a language.

Details: 26 - 44 years old • Intermediate • Conversational proficiency • Intermediate • Intermediate • Full literacy • 60 minutes • I travel to the german tutor • The german tutor travels to me • Phone or internet (no in-person meeting)

German with Dr. Wolfgang Soldan's reply

Danke, Emily, dass Sie diese freundlichen Worte gefunden haben.

German Lessons

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Maria Jimenez-Frias

FAQs

What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
The price is based on an hour (60 minutes). Of course, depending on the customer's interest, there can be online sessions of 45 minutes, or 90 minutes, etc. Unless the customer has special wishes (e.g. extensive preparations for the online classes) the price is $60 per online session of 60 minutes.
What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
First of all, I listen carefully, very carefully. I believe it is essential for an excellent job to know precisely what my client wants to accomplish. Understanding this is the prerequisite to giving good advice, guidance, and a strategy to follow to reach these goals. There will be a permanent interaction between my client and myself to monitor the progress, eventually speed up the tempo, or, if necessary, slow down.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
My entire professional life, I have been teaching languages. In Germany, it was mainly English; in the United States, German, English, and English as a Second Language. I graduated from Humboldt University in Berlin (Germany) with an M.A. in English/ESL. In the United States, I graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara, with an M.A. in German language, culture, and history. I was awarded a Ph.D. degree from LaSalle University in Education.

German with Dr. Wolfgang Soldan

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