german class.
Not sure how I have failed to mention that whole I’m-in-a-German-language-course-five-hours-per-week fact, but I did and I am. I wish I could say that I worked harder at my German. I want to learn, I do. I was here about 4 months before I actually put in any true effort and 7 months before I started my class. Like what?
I started in A1.2, so I skipped the first class (A1.1) and saved 250 € in the process, so that was a good decision. Starting 7 months in, however, was not. I understand a lot of German, but often respond in English because speaking it is insanely difficult due to: 1) pronunciation and 2) sentence structure.
The family I work for is very encouraging about my learning German. I am not supposed to practice with the kids – I am here to teach them English, after all – but I am allowed to speak it with the parents whenever I please. Their English is just so great I forget to even try out my German. Little Liam is the only one I actually use a bit on because he gets REAL frustrated when I do not understand the words he so proudly puts out there. In fact, I think I’ve learned most of my German from the little monster who isn’t even 2. Anyway, often the parents ask me questions or give directions in German and last night a funny circumstance occurred that proved why I normally just take the easy way out and respond in English.
[whole conversation occurs in German, but I have "translated"]
Pat (host dad): Where are you going?
Me: Mein sprachkurs.
Pat: Oh super! Have fun! How are you getting there?
[at this point, I am confused due to a) his excitement over me going to my language class, a very routine activity and b) asking how I was getting there - however, the trams were on strike yesterday so what would be a weird question was actually pretty normal]
Me: Ja danke. Ich werde in Lauren’s auto fahren.
Pat: Suggests a bunch of arrival methods in German.
Me: No, car is cool, thanks though.
Pat: Why are you going?
Me: huh? —> que switch to English
Pat: Aren’t you going to Strasbourg?
Me: ah nooo mein sprachkurs!
Pat: whaaaa?
Me: Pat, German class.
Pat: OHHHHHH! I thought you said Strasbourg! I had no idea why you were going for a couple hours tonight.
haha! well… good for you for trying. i don't speak anything else, so you're doing better than me : ) *high five*
ah! I hate to say it, but moments like that will pretty much happen forever! Don't worry though, that's the only way to learn! and if you're ever feeling exceptional bitter just watch this and remember that pronunciation is hard for everyone.
btw, I also LOVE speaking German with kids. They are so non-judgmental and they never tell you you're wrong. I would be a horrible au pair because I would talk german to my kids ALL the time!
I wouldn't want to learn German. I can only imagine how hard it is. Good thing I am a native speaker. Ha ha … *kidding*
Alex, don't worry you'll get there. I know the German language is a hard one to learn but don't give up it's well worth it! Not many people know how to speak it so you'll stick out of the crowd. I guess it's easy for me to say because it's my first language, so I got lucky and learned it growing up. But I have to admit even we make a lot of mistakes. The grammar is complicated and with all the dialects it can get really confusing sometimes. Just keep trying
Alex! hahahaha I love it.
And don't worry, I got made fun of in a class yesterday for the way I said, "gelbe Sack."
Not sure what was so hilarious… but there ya go.
Bahaha I'm terrible! In high school I insisted on taking latin as my foreign language
that was funny. 'Strassbourg' vs. 'sprachkurs'–hmmmm, i'm curious how that happened.
anyways, good on you for trying. it'll get better, I'm sure and enjoy the ride.
Oh I can relate. Usually when I think I'm doing awesome in a conversation in French, it turns out that we're talking about two totally different things.
And that cartoon is too funny!
that butterfly graphic is one of the best things i've ever seen.
Love your post! German is a hard language – I know that because people could just call me "Mrs. I don't know how to pronounce that". My maiden name was as simple as something like "Smith" but my husband's last name is German. When I go to a restaurant and have to give my last name, or do something like go to the doctor's office, I have to listen closely for them to call out any one of at least half a dozen ways people try to pronounce my last name.
Stopping by on the Not A Mommy Blog Hop. And thanks for visiting my blog!
I can totally understand why people have trouble with German, it's a terrible language to learn!
My boyfriend (who is from Tunisia but lives in Germany for almost 7 years) speaks and understand German almost perfectly. But sometimes when we talk about something, we realize after a while that we're actually talking about 2 completely different things. Those things happen.
If you have any questions about German, let me know. I'd love to help you.
And how awesome is that graphic?? It seriously made me laugh out loud.
Reminds me of "this thing above the oven is peeing" – I meant the extractor… A German in America and today at the same blog hop then you are. if you care for some more international misunderstandings – give me a try.
P.S. isnt it wonderful how we have 16 different ways to say THE in German? LOL. Have fun.
Oh man, that meme at the end made me laugh! I work in Spanish a lot (I'm not a native speaker, but the people I talk to are). That was a pretty familiar scenario! I end up saying a lot of "Wait, pardon?"
Stopping by from the Not Mommy hop!
Hahahaha this reminds me of when my Spanish professor came in and on the board were the words for "embarrassed" and "pregnant" which are similar, and goes, "Oh, I'm pregnant" in Spanish. We were SO confused for a few moments.
Also that picture cracked me up. All my friends and I always joke about how German can be such an ugly lesson sometimes (like "I love you" haha)
And my lesson I mean language!
LOL!:) It's tough, for sure..when I lived in Mexico I had my wallet stolen. I got no sympathy, though, because I was telling people the highway was stolen…don't you hate that "look" on people's faces when they are trying to figure out what you are talking about??
yeah…deutschkurs…i went about half of the time…nicht so gut. my german is very toddler-like because of hanging with cajus all day while i was an au pair. and henning's english is amazing so our relationship is probably 98% english. i need to learn. i love the butterfly thing though. i've never forgotten how to say it in german because of how funny it sounds
I can't even imagine trying to learn a new language at my age! I do regret that I gave up on French in high school.
LOL! This is my future!
Thanks Kristina – the encouragement is always helpful! I need it!
i LOVE that video, we always joke about that.
hahaha I can only imagine… I mean people butcher Butts but that's because they think there's no way that could actually be someone's last name
I just straight up the da ("duh") all the time. I'm terrible with teh genders of nouns – like what!
how do I learn by osmosis! bc that's what I want haha
get excited
Ugh yes I kick myself every day for not trying harder in my SEVEN YEARS OF SPANISH
It's so dang hard to learn when everyone wants to practice their English and I'm about 40% motivated on my German haha. Glad you understand!
haha we used to always make that mistake in spanish class and our teachers cracked up – estoy embarrassada!
Absolutely loved reading this post as I can totally relate in every possible way! I have just finished a 6 month intensive language course 5 hours a day 5 days a week. It almost killed me but I am soooooo happy I did it as it has made my life in Germany much easier.
Wish I had you in my class!!
nice post
wonderful post Thanks for sharing
ha!!! You have totally nailed it with the langage barrier! I start my classes in two weeks, and they are FOUR hours a day, ugh. But its accelerated because Eva is due to have the baby end of Feb. Wish me luck! haha