Slow German - lerne Deutsch mit Annik!
A long-running solo podcast where a German host explains cultural topics in slow, clear German for intermediate language learners.
This is a content-first language learning tool disguised as a cultural podcast. Each episode is a concise, well-researched monologue on a single facet of German life, from the Eurovision Song Contest to the history of witches. The host, Annik Rubens, acts as a cultural guide, speaking in deliberately slow and clear German. The core learning system revolves around the audio paired with premium materials like transcripts, vocabulary lists, and a normal-speed version available on the companion website.
“Its remarkable longevity, having started in 2007, makes it a foundational podcast in the language-learning space. Unlike conversational podcasts, its solo-narrative format provides an uninterrupted stream of clear, slow German, which is then paired with a normal-speed version, creating a unique 'listen and repeat' learning loop for comprehension.”
Who hosts this show
Slow German is a podcast for intermediate German learners (B1 level) hosted by journalist Annik Rubens since 2007. In each short, solo episode, she speaks slowly about topics related to German culture, history, and society to help listeners improve their comprehension and vocabulary. Rubens, a Munich-based journalist, started the podcast as a private project and notes that she is not a teacher, but a native speaker helping learners. The show is considered a pioneering work in the German podcast scene.
Credentials & credits
- Journalist
- Works for public broadcaster "Bayerischer Rundfunk"
- M.A. in American cultural history, political science and ethnology, LMU Munich
- Certificate in freelance and feature writing, London School of Journalism
- Winner, International Podcast Award (2005)
- Winner, German Podcast-Award (2006)
Other ventures
- Schlaflos in München (podcast)
- History in Slow German (podcast)
What kind of podcast
- Country
- Germany
- Region
- europe
When new episodes drop
- 01🇩🇪 Wer bekommt Brustkrebs und warum?Jun 14, 2026 · 12 min
- 02🇩🇪 Was ist dieser Eurovision Song Contest (ESC)?Mar 15, 2026 · 11 min
- 03So funktioniert Slow German, der Podcast!Mar 5, 2026 · 4 min
- 04🇩🇪 Die interessante Geschichte von SüdtirolMar 1, 2026 · 10 min
- 05🇩🇪 Was bringt die Münchner Sicherheitskonferenz?Feb 13, 2026 · 8 min
- 06🇩🇪 Gab es in Deutschland wirklich Hexen?Feb 1, 2026 · 13 min
- 07🇩🇪 Die spektakulärste Flucht aus der DDR!Jan 18, 2026 · 10 min
- 08🇩🇪 Wer war eigentlich Rosa Luxemburg?Jan 4, 2026 · 9 min
Notable episodes
- 01🇩🇪 Wer bekommt Brustkrebs und warum?
In a departure from purely cultural topics, the host shares her personal diagnosis with breast cancer, explaining the German healthcare system through her own recent experience.
- 02🇩🇪 Was ist dieser Eurovision Song Contest (ESC)?
A classic example of the show's format, explaining a major pan-European cultural event from a distinctly German perspective, including national traditions and history with the contest.
- 03So funktioniert Slow German, der Podcast!
A helpful meta-episode for new listeners that serves as a tutorial for getting the most out of the podcast and its associated premium learning materials on the website.
What you'll be asked on this show
This is a solo-narrative podcast and does not feature interviews. The host uses rhetorical questions to structure the monologue and transition between points.
This is a solo-narrative show with no guests or interviews. Annik Rubens presents a scripted monologue in slow, enunciated German. Each episode focuses on one topic, and the free podcast is designed to work in tandem with a premium membership that provides transcripts, exercises, and a faster audio version to test comprehension.
Signature segments
- · Slowly spoken German narration
- · Paired slow and normal-speed audio versions (premium)
- · Focus on 'Landeskunde' (cultural studies)
- · Closing phrase: "Das war Slow German, der Podcast zum Deutsch lernen."
- · Downloadable PDF learning materials (premium)
Topics covered repeatedly
Where to find this show
Audience & reach
The podcast is primarily listener-supported through its own premium membership on slowgerman.com, which unlocks learning materials. It also accepts support via Patreon and PayPal, positioning itself as a project financed by its community.
Subscriber and view counts are pulled live from YouTube and re-verified on a 30-day cycle. Listener estimates for the RSS feed aren't published here unless they're host-verified.
Pitch this show
p•••@•••.comFree: limited reveals · Pro: unlimited reveals + CSV export
You’re only charged when we return a verified hit.
People also ask
- Who is the host of Slow German?
- The host is Annik Rubens, a German journalist and pioneering podcaster based in Munich. Her real name is Larissa Vassilian.
- Is the podcast still running?
- Yes, new episodes are released roughly every two weeks.
- What is the format of the show?
- Each episode is a short, solo monologue where the host speaks in slow, clear German about a single topic related to German culture, history, or society.
- Is this podcast for beginners?
- No, it is designed for intermediate learners at the B1 level or higher who already have a foundational knowledge of German.
- Where can I find transcripts and exercises?
- Full transcripts, vocabulary lists, comprehension exercises, and a normal-speed version of the audio are available to premium members on the slowgerman.com website.
- Is this an interview podcast?
- No, it is a solo-narrative show. Annik Rubens is the only speaker.
Built from the show's public RSS feed, YouTube, the host's own websites, and the cited sources below. Computed and AI-extracted fields are labelled. Facts only — no private info, no fabrication, no transcripts republished.
Sources & how this page was built
This page is AI-assisted, grounded in the public sources cited below, and host-verifiable. We publish facts only; we do not republish transcripts. If anything here is wrong, the host can claim and correct the page above.Model: gemini-2.5-pro · high confidence
- [01]About Annik - Slow Germanslowgerman.com
- [02]Larissa Vassilian - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
- [03]Slow German Podcast Homepageslowgerman.com
- [04]Interview with Annik Rubens, Journalist and Podcaster - ber-ITber-it.de
- [05]Slow German (Podcast) - Podchaserpodchaser.com
- [06]History in Slow German | Podcasts on Audibleaudible.com
Podcasts like Slow German - lerne Deutsch mit Annik!
DIVE Studios / 다이브 스튜디오
A media company and podcast network where K-pop idols and Korean-American artists discuss culture, careers, and personal identity.
PARANORMAL EXPERIENCE
PARANORMAL EXPERIENCE
Um podcast brasileiro de longa duração onde dois apresentadores entrevistam médiuns, mentores e especialistas sobre suas experiências paranormais e estruturas espirituais.
Saad Rashid - YouTube Automation
Saad Rashid
A Pakistani host interviews creators of 'faceless' YouTube channels, breaking down their niche strategies, AI workflows, and revenue generation.
The History Guy: History Deserves to Be Remembered
A history storyteller who narrates short, engaging videos about forgotten events and figures, typically in 15 minutes or less.
Silicon Valley Girl
Silicon Valley Girl
An entrepreneur interviews the founders and scientists building the next wave of AI to uncover practical strategies for career and business growth.
The Arena
The Arena
A daily sports debate show where 3-time NBA All-Star Gilbert Arenas and a panel of former pros give unfiltered takes on basketball news.
Shallu Nisha Podcast
Shallu Nisha
A long-form interview podcast exploring the careers and business of North Indian digital creators, artists, and entrepreneurs.
Backstage with Millionaires
Pankaj Chauhan
A weekly news show and documentary-style channel breaking down the biggest stories and trends in the Indian startup and venture capital ecosystem.