Learn german with The Miracle of Bern

The movie deals with the championship-winning German soccer team of 1954. Its story is linked with two others: The family of a young boy is split due to the events in World War II, and the father returns from Russia after eleven years. The second story is about a reporter and his wife reporting from the tournament.

Why learn german with The Miracle of Bern?

"The Miracle of Bern" tells the story of a German family reuniting after WWII and the unexpected triumph of the German national football team in the 1954 World Cup. You can learn vocabulary related to football (e.g., "Tor," meaning "goal," "Mannschaft," meaning "team," "Spiel," meaning "game/match"), family life (e.g., "Vater," "Mutter," "Sohn," meaning "father," "mother," "son"), and post-war Germany (e.g., "Kriegsgefangener," meaning "prisoner of war," "Entschädigung," meaning "compensation"). The film also uses common everyday German phrases and expressions, providing excellent listening practice. The movie explores themes of hope, forgiveness, and the importance of family amidst the backdrop of a divided nation. It portrays a range of emotions – joy, sadness, anger, and pride – which are expressed through realistic dialogue. This helps you learn how German speakers express feelings in different situations. The language used reflects the time period and includes both formal and informal registers, exposing you to a variety of German speech styles. You'll also encounter dialects, adding to the richness of the language learning experience. This movie is a great choice for German learners because it combines an engaging story with authentic language. It's emotionally resonant, making it more memorable and motivating to watch. The historical context provides insight into German culture and society in the post-war era. Because the dialogue is clear and relatively slow-paced (compared to some modern films), it’s easier to follow for language learners. The repetition of key phrases and vocabulary further reinforces your learning. Finally, the film's popularity makes it a great conversation starter with German speakers.