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April 2003
Hello Cheryl,
Please do forgive my delay in getting back to you, especially in light
of my good news.
Yes, I can emphatically recommend Treffpunkt as a means to learn German.
Most likely you, as did I, have researched the various German language
schools in Germany. As I did so and my choices of schools narrowed, Treffpunkt
was always among the top choices. Eventually, I realised that Treffpunkt
was at the top of my list. I am pleased to say that I made the right decision
to attend the school.
I was the usual first day student; a bit wary of my new surroundings,
and not quite feeling as though I belonged. But as soon as I was introduced
to school personnel, such feelings vanished. One is immediately taken
into the fold, and looked after as much as one requires.
You may have noticed in Treffpunkt's advertisement and school description
that it lists one of its unique points as ensuring that students have
contact with Bamberg inhabitants. This should be a selling point of all
schools; that students are as a matter of course integrated into local
life. However, you may have found in your research that such is not the
case. It is, though, at Treffpunkt. If the school had no other selling
point, and it has many, this alone should be a decisive factor in your
choice of school.
You inquired into the business classes on offer at Treffpunkt. Again,
I can highly recommend them. If this is anything to go by, after my first
business lesson, I left the lesson far too tired to continue in anything
but the most rudimentary of German, and could do no more than listen in
English. The reason was that the lesson was demanding such that it was
the first time that I had had to present myself, think, listen and plan
ahead in my thoughts in German - all at once. (Something one does everyday
in one's own native tongue, without even realising the difficulty of it.)
I found that I was not just encouraged in my efforts, but that it was
seen as a given that I would succeed. Such faith in me I found reassuring,
and should my own self-confidence ever have flagged, I had found I well
from which I could dip as needed.
An important point to note is the emphasis, I feel, that Treffpunkt places
on learning the grammar of the German language. My experience, and I was
no exception to this example of impatience, was that everyone wanted to
jump right into conversation, and sometimes felt thwarted in their efforts
to do so as yet another lesson in grammar was introduced. The impatience,
however, was short-lived, as it is soon evident that no speech is worth
uttering in German if the grammar is not correct. So, in addition to simply
learning the mechanics of the language, any student leaving Treffpunkt
can feel very confident indeed at having been inculcated with a solid
basis of grammar.
I was in Bamberg for one month. For such a small city, the cultural offerings
are extensive. It would certainly be a good idea to partake of them, should
time permit. I add this last caveat as I applied myself so assiduously
to study while in Bamberg that it was not until near the end of my stay
that I could fully enjoy all that was on offer to me. If I could make
one suggestion, it would be to avoid this mistake, as the school offers
not just its own courses, not just its own personable, knowlegeable and
extremely capable staff of teachers, but also the highlights of an historic
town and its surroundings. Not to be missed - any of it.
When might you attend classes in Germany? I attended in late autumn, early
winter. It was fun to be there during the lead up to end of year festivities.
But I was almost jealous of those students who had attended in summer,
as there seems to be that much more going on at that time of year. I do
intend to attend Treffpunkt again. Should circumstances permit, experiencing
Bamberg in spring or summer would be my aim.
Might our schedules collide? I would look forward to hearing from you,
whatever your decision.
Bis bald!
-0-
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-----Original Message-----
From: Cheryl xxxx
Sent: Freitag, 28. März 2003 02:29
To: xxx
Subject: Treff Punkt
I picked your name and email address from a list of prior attendees of
Treff Punkt. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Cheryl xx, xxx Manager
at xxx in Seattle, and I am researching German language schools. I would
greatly appreciate any feedback from you regarding your experience at
Treff Punkt, and in particular, whether you attended any of their business
German courses.
Thank you in advance for your time, and I look forward to hearing from
you.
Cheryl xxx
xxx Manager
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