Going on a language study vacation is one of the most exciting and rewarding holidays I can think of. Plus, it's also the most effective way to learn German! Immersing yourself in the language in its natural environment will give you insights that you just can't learn back home. You'll hear German as it is spoken by everyday people on the streets. You'll hear colloquial expressions and modern-day slang, and you'll be in the perfect place to develop your skills and speak good German quickly.
To make sure you get the most out of your study holiday, there are some key things you need to do. Many students fall into some common traps that prevent them from learning German as well as they could. Since you are spending a lot of money to travel all the way to Germany, it makes sense to do it right.
#1--Choose a Good School
Do your research before selecting a language school. You should first decide which city you want to go to, and then narrow down your choices from there. The school you choose should be conveniently located and easy to get to from your accommodation. You'll also want to consider the school's reputation for teaching, as well as their flexibility in relation to study options. The more options the better. This way you can tailor your study to suit you.
#2--Choose the Right Accommodation
Your choice of accommodation is also important. Some students will enjoy a homestay, so that you can really get to know the German culture and practise speaking German with your host family. This option will not appeal to everyone though, and you may prefer to organize your own private accommodation in a nice apartment. A good language school will be able to help you with this, and most will offer additional options such as sharing with other students from the school.
#3--Go to the School
Some language schools offer you the choice of one-on-one tutoring, at the school or in your own accommodation. If you opt for the home lessons, you may find that this is very isolating. After the lessons have finished, you are on your own, and this can be quite lonely for some. In contrast, by attending the language school, you are instantly introduced to many other students from all over the world. Most students will be in a similar situation to you, and will enjoy having other students to spend time with outside of class. This is a great way to make new friends in a foreign city, and it makes your study vacation a lot more memorable and enjoyable.
#4--Ensure the Student to Teacher Ratio is Low
The size of classes is important. The school will estimate your proficiency level when you arrive, and will place you in a class with students of a similar level. This is fine, except that you won't all be at precisely the same level. So you'll want to make sure that the class isn't too big, or you'll be making slow progress. A small class with 2-3 other students is ideal, and private lessons are also a good option for those who can afford them.
#5--Balance Your Day
Tailor your day so that you get a good balance between class and leisure time. Too much class time is not good. You'll find that the lessons are really intense, since you are learning an incredible amount of new information. Your mind needs time to digest it all, and you'll also want time to relax and enjoy the city. On the other hand, too little class time will not help either. A happy medium is to have classes each morning for perhaps 3 hours in total. Then you can have the afternoon for leisure time to go and explore the city.
#6--Get Out of Your Comfort Zone
During your leisure time, you should force yourself to speak German at every opportunity. Practise what you have learned by speaking German in restaurants, cafes and in shops. For the more adventurous, head to local bars and social spots and make some new friends!
#7--Do Some Revision Every Night
At some stage during your time away from class, make a rule of doing some daily revision. This is what sets top students apart from the rest, as this extra revision really helps to lock in the new concepts that you are learning in class. It is a balancing act, and sometimes you'll just be too tired to do it, but keep reminding yourself that you've come all this way to learn German.
Take the time to plan your study holiday carefully, and you will reap the rewards. Not only will you learn German in very quick time, you'll also have an amazing holiday experience with memories to last you a lifetime!
Steve Galvin is a language teacher and owner of leading German site http://www.easygermanlanguage.com, which is packed with free resources for anyone wanting to speak German the fun, fast and easy way. To ensure you get off to the right start, visit our website for many more tips and resources on the best way to learn German.
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