Should I already have some knowledge of German
when I start my studies at the Language Guesthouse?
No, you do not need to have a German background.
You are welcome to come as a beginner.
Studying foreign languages at school was torture
for me at times, but I really want to learn German. Do you think I stand
a chance of learning it in the Language Guesthouse?
Of course you do. Forget your bad experience.
At school you probably had to learn languages in a totally different way
from the way you will learn German at the Language Guesthouse.
I’ve heard there’s plenty of awful
grammar to learn in the German language. Is that true?
With me, you learn grammar rules when you
need them for communication. You come to the realization that grammar
facilitates language mastery by producing consistency in the unfamiliar
language structure. So don’t panic! Of course there are some pitfalls
in German grammar, but they are conquerable.
I need German for my job — business German.
Can you provide this targeted instruction, even if I haven’t learned
German before?
Yes, this is possible. We have enjoyable
coursebooks and other resources for beginners. These books emphasize communication
in business situations and use business themes. As in any other language
course, you also will learn basic language skills.
My company wants to send me to Germany for German
language studies, but I don’t enjoy language learning.
Try to focus on the positive aspects of
the situation. If your company sends you to a language course, you are
really lucky. Others spend their vacations at language school and pay
for the course from their own pockets. Why don’t you enjoy language
learning? Do you remember bad experiences from the past? Forget them.
If you are open-minded and curious, you may discover that enjoyment comes
to you in the midst of language learning. After all, the French say, „Appetite
comes while eating.“
Through my company, I’m in frequent contact
with German business partners and clients. I am already a fluent German
speaker but would like to improve my poise in negotiations. Also, I often
experience difficulties understanding the German mindset. Can you help
me?
A course in the Language Guesthouse always
includes acquaintance with German viewpoints, traditions, culture, and
social graces. In the Language Guesthouse you have the opportunity to
experience them in a concrete way. They also are discussed during lessons,
of course.
I have started a German language course three times
in the past. I have always given up right away because other students
learned more quickly than me. Even so, I really would like to learn German.
Can you help me?
You have strong motivation to learn the language
but little self-confidence. In the classroom, the pressure to compete
with other students makes you feel very uncomfortable. In individual classes,
you do not need to fear the group. You set your own pace and gain self-confidence.
Soon you realize that there is no reason to feel ashamed of your German
language skills.
I am already 65 and am not a fast learner like
younger people. But I want to learn German anyway. Do you think it’s
possible at the Language Guesthouse?
Of course it’s possible. In our individual
lessons, you set the pace. Besides, it is a very good idea to study a
foreign language at your age, since it keeps your brain healthy. You discover
that language study is very beneficial for your mind—a bit like
exercising your body every day.
I want individual lessons because I am timid when
speaking in a group. Do you think I’ll be in the right place with
you?
Yes, you will be in the right place. You
will get individual lessons at my house but also will have the opportunity
to overcome you timidness in groups,namely in our creative evening sessions,
where doing comes first and speaking is the positive side-effect.
I am interested in German for only one reason:
My hobby/personal interest is ......., and the best ............ are in
Germany. I would like to contact these people and exchange opinions with
them. Maybe visit their conferences. Under these circumstance, do you
think I will be in the right place with you?
Yes, you will be. Don’t hesitate to
tell me about the subject you are passionate about; it will enable you
to start your language studies with enthusiasm. In individual lessons,
we can address your personal interests more freely than in a group of
learners. But please don’t be too impatient: If you start as a beginner,
it will take some time for you to understand or read messages from your
„universe“ without any help.
I want to spend my holidays in Germany and combine
pleasure with practicality by learning a bit of German on the side. Do
you think that’s possible in your course?
Of course you may enjoy your leisure time
at our beautiful place, but please be aware that language instruction
in the Language Guesthouse is intensive. You will get at least two academic
hours of instruction every day during a five day week. To make the most
of your lessons you should also spend a considerable part of the day in
self studies. The ideal situation is for you to spend the same amount
of time in individual study that you spend in class. If you don't want
to study intensively, but have existing German skills, a conversation
/active+creative programme could be the perfect choice for you.
My daughter/son is fourteen years old and learns
German in school. She/he is a quick learner but would like to improve
her/his speaking. I am apprehensive about sending her/him to Germany alone,
so it’s important for me to know that she/he will be well supervised.
I am not in a position to provide care for
young students during their free time, and I do not have children who
are close in age to your daughter/son. Therefore, for the time being,
I can only accept teenagers who are sixteen years of age or older.
Unfortunagely, my son/daughter has not received
good grades in German classes at school, but next summer, I want him/her
to pass his/her graduation exam with good results. Will his/her grades
go up considerably after a course at the Language Guesthouse?
Is your son or daughter willing to improve
his/her grades so that he can do well on his exam? In this case, he is
welcome at the Language Guesthouse and certainly will succeed. But parents‘
wishes are not enough to produce successful learning. It’s impossible
to teach a language to someone who doesn’t want to learn it. Therefore,
if your offspring doesn’t feel a true desire to learn German, you
should save your money instead of sending him/her to a language school.
What is the recommended length of a course in the
Language Guesthouse?
Generally you can say that the longer you
study in the Sprachpension, the greater progress you will make. Otherwise,
your course of study depends on your personal preferences and restrictions.
If you want to experience significant progress in your language skills,
you should allow for a minimum of two weeks.
Can I book a conversation course without language
classes at the Language Guesthouse?
Yes, you can - and you get the opportunity
not only to listen to and speak German, but to join speaking and action.
Just book a language trainer guided active+creative programme, it is a
perfect conversation training. As a precondition, you should bring along
German skills of completed level A1 (or higher)
Can I book a trial course for three days in the
Language Guesthouse?
In most cases three days are too short to
achieve observable progress in language skills. Therefore our shortest
language programm takes a week. A week course for example is a reasonable
option for those who want to brush up on existing German language skills.
Guests at the Language Guesthouse however, who stay overnight or for vacation
get a free trial lesson, if they want. Just ask me during your stay!