One week learning German in Berlin

Jenny Ashford
1 week German course in Berlin
Standard Course 

I was hoping to learn some basics and make some friends in the class to spend time with sightseeing/socialising when not in class.  My trip really exceeded by expectations  : )

The lessons were brilliant, much better than German language lessons I remember from Secondary School.  A lot was covered in a week, but I didn’t feel overloaded with information.  Whatever we’d learnt was revised through fun games.  The games were imaginative and such a laugh.  The teachers were animated and interesting to listen to.  Each student has a chance to answer questions, have a go at pronouncing words etc … Everyone was involved and enjoyed themselves.

The German language school in Berlin was perfect, close to many sights and well situated for public transport access.

Best of all = The students I met
Worst of all = Coming home  : (

I loved ….
– my fellow students, they were all so chatty, friendly, polite etc.  Really cool people.
– that I’d made a good call doing the Standard Course (20 lessons) as I had all afternoon left to sightsee and all evening for socialising!
– playing the tourist and taking a bus and boat tour of the city.  Great way to get your bearings and see the main highlights of the city
– the Jewish Museum is very interesting – tip: the best bits are near the beginning and the end, so give yourself sufficient time to see it all
– Sachenshausen Concentration camp. It takes a while to get there but it’s worth it – try and go with a group so you’ve got people to chat too on the journey back by S-Bahn
– the outdoor bar by the canal in the Tiergarten – make a point of finding this, if you go when the weather is good.  It’s popular and great fun.

College social activities get booked up sooo quickly, so myself and friends organised our own sightseeing trips.  Apart from the bike tour where the college ran a second bike trip so we attended that.  Warning you need to be okay with riding fast to keep up with the German guide on this bike ride, which isn’t easy when driving on the right side of the road.  Was a fun mission though!

I stayed in the Brandenburg Tor apartments.  Set in a nice area, unusual view of Holocaust memorial, nice and modern.  My flat mate was lovely – didn’t get on with everyone in the apartments on the course though, but that’s life I guess.  Very handy for our nights out though.

I’m simply amazed at just how friendly and fun all the students were and what a mixture of ages and nationalities everyone had.  If you want to go and do something in or around Berlin, mention it to the other students, chances are they’d be delighted to go with you.

The laughs we had in class and the fun students I met up with and went sightseeing and drinking with – some from my class, some from other classes.  Make sure you attend the Stammtisch (the gathering on Monday) great way to make friends to spend time with for the rest of your trip.  Oh and DON’T worry if you are beginner, if you really want to, the other students are happy to communicate in English – but for the sake of your German try and resist the temptation!

CESA were EXCELLENT – thanks.  My queries were answered very quickly.  You can’t beat the personal touch!