I’m wondering if anyone has any thoughts about the best places to learn German in Germany. I have taken a few years of German in University, and I spent two months last summer at the Goethe Institut in Bonn. I would love to go back and spend more time in the country while I improve my language skills, but I’m wondering about the best way to do it. I found that the Goethe Institut was really, really expensive for what is was. Does anyone know of some other, preferably cheaper, options for a foreign student wishing to improve her German? Any reccomendations for other language schools, etc.? I’m ideally looking for something that would be possible to do during the summer months.
I bet you can just sign up for German as a Foreign language with the local Volkshochschule. Go to a city with a decent number of immigrants and try there. Of course you want to hang out with non-English speaking people in your off hours, and get a German speaking girlfriend or boyfriend (whichever fits your taste).
Plus beer helps, and fits any budget.
I second going to the Volkshochschule. What you get there is like ESL - but German, of course (Deutch als Fremdsprache). The Volkshochschule I went to offered classes of widely varying intensities, morning, noon, and night, one day a week to five days a week. If you go to a decent sized city you should be able to find a Volkshochschule with similar variety.
The second class I took was a 25 hours per week, very intense course. That was too much, in my opinion. Going to that class was like a job. I’d recommend a class that meets a few times a week, supplemented by a little German TV. The Volkshochschule teaches you to speak “high German”, which is important, but it’s also good to know how people really talk.
viel Spaß!
If your city has a university you might go there and check if they offer language courses.
You usually can also just sit in some lectures and listen. Since you seem to have a basic knowledge of German that might help to expand your vocabulary. Pick a subject that you’re interested in anyway and try to follow the German lecture.
Might not be available during the summer months, though.
The Volkshochschule is the best bet for the money, but keep in mind the quality of teaching can vary widely (although to be fair, this is true about private language schools as well)
In cities or university towns, it’s not hard to find people looking for language exchange partners, meaning that they want you to help them to improve their English and will give German lessons in return. You may also find ads in local magazines for language practice discussion groups. If you happen to be going to Berlin, I can give you some more specific sources to check out.
Since you’re looking for advice, I’ll move this thread to IMHO.
bibliophage
moderator GQ