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GERMANY IN FOCUS

PODCAST: Language tests for German citizenship, fireworks fallout and new train routes

In this week's episode, we talk about why the German Defence Minister resigned, an ongoing integration row sparked after New Year's Eve riots, new train routes, language requirements for German citizenship reform and how to beat the January blues.

Germany in Focus
Germany in Focus. A podcast by The Local. Image: The Local

You can follow Germany in Focus and listen HERE or on the below platforms:

We’re back with a new series of Germany in Focus, a weekly podcast about life, talking points and news in Germany. 

In the latest episode, host Rachel Loxton is joined by journalists Imogen Goodman and Aaron Burnett, and German teacher at the Goethe Institut Birgit Schneider. 

We talk about why the German Defence Minister has stepped down – and who her replacement is. 

New Year’s Eve was quite a few weeks ago now, but the riots and attacks on emergency workers have sparked a major debate in Germany. We look at how it’s brought immigration and racism issues into the spotlight, as well as questions about whether the private use of fireworks should be scaled back. 

Next we bring you up to date with some great new international train routes from Germany.

We give an update on changes to some of the Covid mask wearing rules in Germany. 

We talk about the draft law for German citizenship reform, which will see many hurdles relaxed, including allowing people to hold multiple nationalities. Plus Aaron gives an update on the expected timeline of the process. 

In this episode we focus on the German language requirements likely needed in the future for people applying to become German.

German teacher Birgit Schneider also goes into a bit more detail about the language levels and gives her tips for passing the exams. 

Lastly, we get into some of the ways Germans beat the winter blues because January really is a tough month.

We hope you’re enjoying the Germany in Focus podcast. Please let us know if you found it helpful or if you have any feedback by emailing [email protected]. And don’t forget to share it, leave a comment or give us a rating on whichever platform you listen on. Thank you for your support!

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GERMANY IN FOCUS

PODCAST: What makes Berlin’s techno scene so unique and how will Germany vote in EU elections?

This week we get into what the EU elections mean for Germany (and Europe) plus how to vote, why Berlin's techno scene is a UNESCO cultural icon, how climate change is hitting German ski resorts and what to expect in Germany at Easter.

PODCAST: What makes Berlin's techno scene so unique and how will Germany vote in EU elections?

Germany in Focus is made possible by the support of subscribers to The Local – find out more here about becoming a member.

You can follow Germany in Focus and listen HERE or on the below platforms:

In this episode, Rachel Loxton is joined by journalists Aaron Burnett and Paul KrantzOur sound engineer is Rhys Edwards. 

Here are some links to the stories we talk about:

Latest update on German citizenship law:

What the European elections mean for Germany: 

Why Berlin’s techno scene has been given cultural icon status:

What does the future hold for skiing in Germany?

Easter in Germany:

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