Author Archives: Emma Capponi

Today in Class – Descriptions

Today in class – Descriptions

Today in class we were learning about how to describe people. EC. she has long hair, he has a beard, etc.

Part of what did in exercise where one person in our class Described a figure, and the rest of the class had to draw did figure. It turns out That the person Describing our figure had an overactive imagination, so out pictures turned out to be hilarious!

Horse-Man!  The results of todays description exercise.

Horse-Man! The results of todays description exercise.

Deutsch Akademie homework

Vocabulary learning at Deutsch Akademie

Vocabulary learning at Deutsch Academy

Deutsch Academy gives homework as part of its course. This is important for a number of reasons. It cements the knowledge you’ve learned in class, it gives you a chance to practice the concepts on its own, and it reinforces the grammatical concepts you’ve learned. In A1.2 we do not get anywhere near as much work as the higher level, and most of what we get is in our workbooks or our course books, and I wanted to do a little bit more.

I need my German to improve quickly as we have a new housemate coming to live in our WG, and she does not speak much English. So, I’ve started a system similar to what some of the higher classes do in order to expand my vocabulary faster. Also, I’m a bit of a nerd, and I actually really enjoy things like this.

Every time we get new vocabulary, or if I ever have to look up a word, I write it in the back of my book. The German word is written in the column on the left, then either an example in a sentence, or a direct translation is written on the right. You can include things like common usage, the plural form of the word, or other quirks that particular word has eg. If it takes a particular case after it. I also like to colour code the word like our workbook does to make the gender of the words easier to remember – something I particularly struggle with.

Do you have any hints for faster learning?

My German class at Deutsch Akademie

Introducing my class!

German class 1 German-class 2 German class 3

Today we were working on directions and prepositions (over, under, beside, etc.). It was challenging, we had to give directions to our Partners based on little maps in our textbooks. Turns out, giving directions is hard When You’re so trying to speak German Correctly! The German Words Took up all the room in my brain, so things like ‚left‘ and ‚right‘ were pushed out.

While today was fun, it got even better later on in the evening When I actually got lost. I was Trying to find the swimming pool entrance and I stopped some German kids. I was so proud of myself, I had my question all planned out, and I would for once be able to understand Their directions. So I went and asked them – excuse me, where is the swimming pool?

And They answered in English.

Trying to learn German in Berlin has its very own set of challenges – like everyone speaking English. But, next time I get lost I want to know how to Correctly Ask for Directions!

 

 

Die Flohmärkte in Berlin

Today we went to some of Berlin’s famous flea markets.

There are flea markets of all sizes all over Berlin, but today we went to one of the most famous in Mauerpark, Prenzlauer Berg. It is held every Sunday and it was huge! There are endless rows of stalls selling everything from shoes and clothes, to records, art and second hand furniture. There is a great array of food from all over the world and next to the market is a big park with great street musicians and some very cool graffiti on the walls.

However, it was really big and really busy and I found it a bit too overwhelming to actually buy anything or enjoy myself. So we went to a smaller market nearby and for me it what much better. It is held on Sundays at Arkonaplatz, and is much more chilled out – and still has some great stalls!

Arkonaplatz Flea Market

The Flea market at Arkonaplatz. Smaller than the bustling Mauerpark, but in my opinion nicer.

Some of the street art at the Mauerpark in Prenzlauer Berg

Some of the street art at the Mauerpark in Prenzlauer Berg

You can get to Mauerpark on the tram along Eberswalder road, or you can get the U2 to Eberswalder Straße. The same tram so will take you to the Arkonaplatz market – Although it is a little harder to find.

Fears about immersion German classes and how to overcome them

 

First day in fears of immersion German course

Let’s face it – immersion language courses can be terrifying. The idea of ​​going somewhere new, where you do not know anyone, and theywill only speak a language you do not know, is pretty nerve wracking! I was a bit nervous before starting my German Academy class, but I found once I got in there everything was fine. Here are some ideas to help you get over Those initial fears:

  • Firstly, you need to come to terms with the factthat you will make mistakes. For most of us, this is the worst! But, in class You Will Find That the teacher is super helpful and wants to put you back on the right track, and everyone else in the class is in the same boat. You will all make mistakes, you will all laugh about it, and you will all learn from it and get it right the next time!
  • Do not think it will be like speaking to people in the street. Your teacher is here to help and want to speak slowly and with lots of Explanations and sign language. It can be overwhelming to someone who only speaks German speaking when you do not speak any, but remember, the class is designed for you to learn.
  • The testing at German Academy is very thorough before you start, so you want to be put in a class That is the right lever for you. Do not worry, theywill not put you in a super advanced course When you have only been studying German a short time.
  • Practice makes perfect! If you already know a bit of German, you can use tools :::: such as the Online German Course to practice a bit before you go. If you are completely Call Call Call Call New You can always look up a few greeting phrases. Once you start talking it is easier to keep going!

I hope that helps. Remember: Your teacher will help you, your classmates will be in the same position as you, and once you let go of your fears You Will Find yourself having fun!

German Academy Students

My First DeutschAkademie post!

 

Hi there!

I am Emma, I am a 26 year old Australian girl and I am just starting my great German adventure!

I’ve been in Berlin for a few weeks now, and I have just started learning German with DeutschAkademie. I am so excited to get to know this great city and this beautiful language.

In this blog I will be sharing some of my Berlin adventures – the interesting places I stumble upon, my German language journey with DeutschAkademie (supplemented with the… let’s say ‘interesting’ vocabulary supplied by my German housemates) , and the various challenges involved with getting set up in Berlin – and facing the beast that is the German bureaucratic systems!

I hope you will enjoy reading my blog, and find some useful tips for your time here.

Emma

A sunny day at the Brandenburg Gate - one of Berlin's most famous landmarks