Here we suggest some ideas
that will help to make your language holiday a successful, focused
and enjoyable experience. These ideas are based on the experiences
and suggestions of both students and teachers of the German course
at TREFF PUNKT language institute in Bamberg, Germany.
Note*
- Take advantage of every opportunity
to speak German. Try
and use these opportunities to practise discussing more complex
matters or issues as well as for general chit chat. And use the
chance to make new friends with people in Bamberg and students
from other countries. In order to do this, it is worth considering
the following:
- Participation in activities offered by the school/practical
training: In order to encourage open conversation in a relaxed
and cheerful atmosphere, we meet every Thursday evening for
the TREFF PUNKT Stammtisch.
The aim of Stammtisch is to give you the opportunity of meeting
and talking with a variety of different people. Of course we
are aware that it can be quite daunting to strike up a conversation
with somebody you have only just met, but we can give you some
ideas on where to start: Don’t
wait for somebody to approach you! Ask open* questions. Tell
them something about yourself. Show an interest in other people’s
conversations and join in where possible. However, make sure
you pay attention to the balance of the discourse -everybody
should contribute a similar amount to the conversation. Long
monologues are not to be encouraged!
* "Open" questions
are those that require more than just a yes/no answer, normally
a couple of sentences or more.
- Let us organize a language "Sprachduo" for you.
TREFF PUNKT Language Institute
will help you find a language partner who is as enthusiastic
about your language as you are about German. And how does this
partnership function? The two of you meet in a cafe, for example,
and talk in German for half an hour and in your own language
for half an hour. During this time you correct each other's
mistakes - an exercise in mutual assistance. :-) So that you
can begin your partnership as soon as possible, please let
us know on the first day of your course that you are interested
in this scheme.
- When you are talking
to other students, even those who come from your own country,
try to speak to them in German. In this way not only will you
practise the language (listening and speaking), but you will
also ensure that you are not excluding others who do not speak
your native language from your conversation. Incidentally:
when Germans realize that they are speaking to a foreigner,
they often immediately lapse into a foreign language - usually
English. Regardless of their level of competency in that language,
they believe that by using it they will make themselves better
understood. If such a situation should arise, say "Entschuldigung,
es ist sehr nett, dass Sie Englisch mit mir sprechen, aber
ich bin hier, um Deutsch zu lernen. Wenn Sie langsam und deutlich
sprechen, kann ich Sie gut verstehen". (Excuse
me, it is very kind of you to speak English with me but I am
here to learn German. If you speak slowly and clearly, I will
be able to understand you.) The person you are speaking with
will be delighted to hear this and will try to speak with you
in their best „high
German. “ It doesn’t matter whether you are
in a shop, at a ticket counter or in a bar. Give it a try!
- Always
ask if something is not clear. And that applies to more
general questions about your stay and your accommodation as well
as anything directly related to teaching or the modification
of your course.
- Allow your teachers to advise
you: what is the ideal course
for you? Will you learn most effectively in a group or on your
own, with one-to-one tuition. In taking a course of 6 weeks or
more, many students come to feel that they wish to adapt their
course to their own individual learning pace and aims. In
our experience, many students like to complement their intensive
course in the mornings with one-to-one tuition 2 or 3 afternoons
a week. Our teaching staff and the TREFF PUNKT school
management will do all they can to ensure that you are happy
and comfortable and that your stay is a success.
- Don’t worry about making
mistakes! And take an active part in the lessons. Nobody learns
a language by staying silent. You will learn most effectively
by constantly trying to use your German, practising, making mistakes
and being corrected.
- The easiest way to learn new
words is in context. Therefore try to memorize them in connection with
a picture, situation or association. Later you will find it a
lot easier to remember these words.
- Don’t expect a text
to be translated into your own language. First try to understand
the meaning of the sentence as a whole. If particular words are
still unclear, you will be able to ask for the meaning and memorize
the answer much more effectively by understanding the context
in which they appear.
- Always attend your lessons. Don’t
miss out because of a transitory bad mood or lack of motivation.
Do all that you can to avoid interrupting the continuity of your
group’s learning progress.
- Also take part in the free-time
activity programme organized by the school
 .
It will open up lots of opportunities to familiarize yourself
with German culture and Germany, whilst at the same time getting
to know people and practising your German. In this way your free
time will be a good chance both to relax and to consolidate your
knowledge of the language.
- Use the school library which has a range of
books and materials for all levels. And come to our video afternoons
with showings of popular German films.
- We have established
that our informal tests which run every second Wednesday at TREFF
PUNKT clearly increase many students’ motivation and learning
success. Use these tests as a form of self-evaluation so that
you are better able to recognize your strengths and to identify
areas on which you need to concentrate. Your teacher will gladly
discuss any aspects of the test with you.
- Visit Bamberg’s
many museums, exhibitions and book shops. There you will not
only find out about the sights, history and culture of Bamberg
and its surrounding area, but you will also improve your German.
Further suggestion: you will find a new modernly-equipped town
library (www.stadtbuecherei-bamberg.de)
diagonally across from the school. There you can choose from
over 60 000 books, magazines, newspapers, cassettes and videos.
You can also surf the internet relatively cheaply or find a quiet
place to read or study.
- Find a German magazine or newspaper that you particularly
like and try to read it.
- Allow at least 2-3 hours every
day for homework, organizing your notes and revising the day’s
lessons.
- We have found that offering an informal
test at least every other Wednesday, notedly increases
for many students motivation and learning success .
Take advantage of this opportunity to get a feel for your progress, and to discover
your personal strengths and weaknesses. Don't miss the chance to talk with your
teacher about any corrections you don't understand.
* These notes are based
on our experience, and discussions with students and teachers
of the TREFF PUNKT Language
Institute - the Intensive German Course specialist for adults
and executives.
The main aim is to give practical guidance for our future students
learning German. But these tips are valid for all those planing
a language course abroad.
For further suggestions: see the comments made by our former
students onwww.german-language-school-review.com
(multi-lingual page).
|
|
|
| German as a foreign
language (DaF)
German culture
Learning tips
for your course abroad
Useful pages
Back to the main page for GermanLearners
|
