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Betreff: Questions re: Bamberg
Halo!
I
am so happy to be able to answer your questions re: Treffpunkt.
I spent two wonderful weeks in Bamberg and feel that
I made significant progress. I am a 56 yr old high school
Spanish teacher who spent 2 weeks of my sabbatical in
a beginning level class. My mother was born in Germany
and so I had a bit of ‘family’ German in my head but my goal
was to put myself into the shoes/seat of my students.
The time was very successful. In specific response to
your questions, pls see below.
1. Improving
my speaking ability
I read and
write German at the B2 or C1 level (high intermediate
to advanced), but my speaking ability is quite limited.
What was your experience at Treff Punkt with improving
your conversational German? Did you take just the group
courses or did you take group and the one-on-one classes?
I arrived with virtually no speaking
ability and in two weeks made a significant jump. I was
awarded a certificate that reflected a 2 – 3 level
advancement in just 9 days of class. For me, the key
was the daily interaction I had with my teachers, who
were very supportive and encouraging, and my host family.
Each evening I spent several hours around the dinner
table, doing homework, discussing (haltingly, with constant
dictionary use) the daily news headlines, and sharing
family events. I did the intensive classes in the morning
and then did 1 extra 90 minute session each week. For
me, it was a language learner’s dream….a
private class on perfect tense conjugations!(my topic
of choice!) It allowed me to have a back and forth discussion
with the teacher, utilizing my own strategies and allowing
me to make my own cognitive jumps. It was challenging
and delightful. Also, you will test into a section and
then, the school is very flexible in meeting your needs.
2. Living
arrangements and student interaction
In 2005 and 2006,
I attended German classes at 2 Goethe Institutes in Germany:
one in Rothenburg and the other in Schwaebisch Hall.
Both had student dorms. One of the nice side effects
of these arrangements was that students interacted in
the dorms as well as in class and during leisure activities.
I know that in Bamberg, I would likely be living in a
studio apartment by myself. So, I am quite concerned
about how much students interacted with each other outside
the classroom and outside of school-organized activities.
What were your experiences? What are your recommendations
about living arrangements?
I would heartily
recommend a family placement. In my case, I had my own
bathroom and bedroom, sharing breakfast and dinner with
the family. (A husband and wife around my age, their
visiting adult children and visiting grandchildren…who
came occasionally). It was with their thoughtful encouragement,
willingness to answer many questions, and patience that
allowed me to progress from a non-speaker to a low intermediate
level (on the ACTFL proficiency scale)in such a short
time. My second choice would be the shared living situation
that you had previously. I think that Treffpunkt has
several apts in the same building. That would be a good
option. Some students were interested in socializing,
some wanted to do their own thing. I was there in April
and it was not overly full so the options were not overwhelming.
I would not have preferred living alone. It doesn’t
match my personality nor my prior, successful learning
experiences.
3. Age
and student interaction --
Were
there older students at Treff Punkt while you were there?
Do you have any impressions about how they were able
to interact with other students? What was your own experience?
When I was there, I was among the oldest but never felt
out of place at all. The participants are very diverse,
from many different countries and with many different
reasons for learning German and very committed to their
studies. The school activities (several each week but
not officially organized everyday) were varied, from
a walking tour of the city to a country hike and meal,
to a long-distance bike ride to many afternoon movie
sessions for the more advanced students. Most Thursday
evenings there is a Stammtisch at a local pub. Several
times I went to lunch with a fellow student and also
enjoyed exploring the city on my own. My classmates,
younger than I, lived on their own in apartments.
They were surprised by my oral proficiency progress and
I attribute it to having built in conversation partners
at my home-stay. The people in Bamberg are very friendly
but many will switch to English if they sense you struggling
in German. I would then respond in German and they would
follow my lead but the home-life was a key factor. One
very good aspect is that Treffpunkt provides a list of
possible conversation partners from outside the school
who are willing and able to share time. I did not make
use of this option due to my living situation but other
students did. There was a wide variety of ages and interests
of those expressing an interest in conversation partnering.
I would
very much appreciate any thoughts on the above or other
Treff Punkt-related topics that you might be able
to send me.
Bamberg is a fantastic city in which to live,
explore, and speak German. In two weeks I was able to
scratch the surface and see the highlights. With more
time, you will be better able to explore the countryside,
taking advantage of the great train connections. I visited
Erfurt and Weimar over Easter weekend. If I had been
there longer, I would have made the effort to get to
Berlin. It’s doable on your own. I also spent several
days in Munich and then traveled with my husband and
friends through Bavaria, staying in Gasthauses along
the way. Absolutely delightful! I estimate that I walked
about 4 – 6 miles per day in Bamberg since my family
lived in East Bamberg. I know that there is good bus
service in the area, I just chose to walk. The exercise
allowed me the delicious luxury of sampling the great
pastries available…a cultural experience, of course!
Thank you for any advice you can offer me.
I hope this helps in your decision-making
process. I was very pleased (as you can tell) by my experiences
and I do heartily recommend the school. The passion and
commitment to intercultural understanding and very high
German standards prevailed through every aspect of the
program.
Best regards,
Bis spaeter,
Jeanette
PS. Boston is a great place to visit also!
Give a call if you are ever in town!
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