Bayern alpha English for Beginners: The Complete Learning Guide
By Rachel · 4 min read
Automatically translated from German. · Read original
‘Bayern alpha English for Beginners’ is a free television language course produced by Bayerischer Rundfunk, which covers the most important grammatical structures and basic vocabulary of the English language in 51 lessons.
Key facts at a glance
- Scope: 51 lessons featuring role-play scenes and explanatory segments.
- Content: Basic vocabulary, grammar and everyday situations.
- Availability: Free via the ARD Mediathek and ardalpha.de.
- Target audience: Complete beginners and students preparing for exams.
How does Bayern alpha English for Beginners work?
The course uses a concept combining humorous role-plays and well-structured explanatory sections to introduce learners to the language. According to the ARD Mediathek, users are introduced to the English language through simple questions and answers, such as “What’s your name? Are you German?”.
The course comprises a total of 51 lessons. These cover both practical everyday situations and theoretical basics. For example, in episode 2, ‘At the Job Centre’, and episode 44, ‘At the Dentist’s’, participants learn specific vocabulary for the workplace and healthcare. Those interested in technical topics will find information in episode 51 under the title ‘How a Car is Made’.
Alongside the video lessons, ardalpha.de offers targeted support for school pupils. This is particularly helpful if, for example, you want to use the 2027 school holidays to fill in any gaps in your knowledge.
Which grammatical topics are covered?
The Bayern alpha English for Beginners programme focuses on answering questions that often remain unresolved in traditional lessons. A key focus is on distinguishing between tenses and articles.
The learning content can be divided into various categories, which are available on the ardalpha.de platform:
| Category | Examples of topics |
|---|---|
| Tenses | Simple Present, Present Continuous, Simple Past, Past Perfect, Future with ‘will’ |
| Parts of speech | Adjectives, adverbs, personal pronouns, possessive pronouns, reflexive pronouns |
| Sentence structure & syntax | If-clauses, passive constructions, word order, imperative |
| Basics | Interrogative words, cardinal numbers, ordinal numbers, articles |
Particular emphasis is placed on comparing tenses. In the videos, for example, Eva Maria Clauss and Frank Struß explain the difference between the present perfect, simple past and the future subjunctive. The use of ‘some’ and ‘any’ is also covered in detail.
How do you prepare for exams with alpha Lernen?
For pupils in Bavaria, the ‘alpha Lernen Prüfung’ platform offers specific preparation for state examinations. This includes, in particular, the intermediate school leaving certificate (MSA) and the qualifying secondary school certificate (QA).
Preparation involves working through exam questions from previous years. According to ardalpha.de, Frank Struß and Eva Maria Clauss help students master various types of questions:
- Use of English: exercises in error detection and completing cloze texts (e.g. MSA 2016 or QA 2018).
- Reading: Text comprehension tasks, such as those on the topics ‘A hat with a history’ (MSA 2016) or ‘Amusement Parks’ (QA 2017).
- Writing: Drafting emails, keyword stories or job applications, including a CV (Application & CV).
- Mediation: Translation exercises, for example on the topic of ‘Women’s Football’.
There are also practical tips on using dictionaries. Here, users learn how to look up terms efficiently and find the correct translation.
Where can you find the course content and videos?
The content of Bayern alpha English for Beginners is accessible via various digital channels. The video lessons are streamed in the ARD Mediathek under the ‘English for Beginners’ section. Individual episodes, such as ‘Portobello Road’ (Episode 25) or ‘A Picnic at Windsor’ (Episode 5), are permanently available there.
Supplementary learning modules, often labelled ‘GRIPS’ or ‘Telekolleg’, can be found on the website ardalpha.de. These modules cover specific topics such as giving directions, prepositions (in, on, at) or reported speech.
For people living in Bavaria who use digital services, information on Bayern WLAN may also be useful for streaming the courses on the go and free of charge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Bayern alpha English course for beginners really free of charge?
Yes, the course is available free of charge via the ARD Mediathek and the ardalpha.de portal. It is a public-service educational programme for which there are no tuition fees or subscription costs.
Who is this language course best suited for?
The course is primarily aimed at people with no prior knowledge of English, as well as pupils in Bavaria who need targeted preparation for the Quali (QA) or the Mittlere Schulabschluss (MSA) at secondary school.
How many lessons does the entire course comprise?
The traditional television language course consists of a total of 51 lessons. These combine theoretical grammar explanations with practical role-play scenes to teach basic vocabulary and the most important structures.
What resources are recommended for the course?
In addition to the videos, we recommend using a dictionary. On ardalpha.de, there is a special instructional video on how to use a dictionary, which provides tips on finding the correct translation.
All information is provided without guarantee.
Sources: ARD Mediathek · ARD alpha · BR.de. Last updated: 29 October 2026.
