Germany Travel Answers

I understand your problem very well -- find myself sometimes behaving like your host mum in the presence of foreigners. I've also been in your situation in Denmark and Scotland. People would switch to English -- or even to German!!! There's only one way: INSIST on the way you want it!!! Do it politely, and smiling, but INSIST!!! Germans tend to be direct in their communication anyway, and with that very understandable and very flattering goal of yours, I don't think they'll be offended. I certainly wouldn't and I think they shouldn't! After all, the purpose of your stay is to increase your German speaking abilities, not about them demonstrating their English fluency to you!

Hi Arial, It is possible that the family members are also anxious to speak English with you, a native speaker. They speak English because they think it's easier for you and good practice for them. When she speaks English, try telling her in German that you'd like her to speak slower and only in German. Even if she continues quickly translating in English, answer only in German. Since her English is good, she is probably giving you good translations. This is not all bad either--it allows you to confirm what you are hearing in German. And, ultimately, you want to understand German at the normal spoken speed, and not "special German" for learners, right? Just continue to patiently speak German no matter what. Avoid speaking English yourself at all times, and your progress will be tremendous. Also, I bet there are a lot of non-Englsh speaking Germans in Weinstadt that would just love to chat you up! good luck, Chris

Hi, tell them, tell them ,tell them! Tell them politely, with a smile, but make it sure that's what you came for. Over the years we had many exchange students staying with us, some didn't want to speak any German, some didn't know any German and some were like you and wanted to learn. It was sometimes hard to stick to German, but it's the only way for you to learn. Of course, listen to your host family speaking to each other in German. Viel Erfolg. Christine

Yes, definitely insist... if you really want to make most out of your 6 weeks you should ideally be in a completely german environment, that includes conversations, tv, music, whatever. i really don't think your hosts would be offended if you politely ask them to provide this kind of environment for you, tell themto speak more slowly or to paraphrase diffcult words. also, as has been said before, there's plenty of non-english speaking people down here, so go out, do the shopping, order yourself and so on. viel glueck dabei, hoffe es gefaellt dir hier.

Hallo aus Bremen, well I think that - like other people posted it too - you have to say the family that they should speak with you only German. On the other hand I guess, Stuttgart is not the best place to learn German cause of the dialect. It should be better the next time - I hope you will have the chance for that - to stay more in northern part of Germany ( Hannover, Bremen), where the German is spoken very clearly. The best way to learn a language is for me a combination of speaking, reading and watching TV. So, have a great time. Kopf hoch und noch viel Spass, R.

try to watch TV to get some training. Radio will do the same but might be harder to understand. I don't think your family will be offended if you ask them nicely to stick to German - you're there to learn German in the end... Also you might consider taking up some evening class taught in German, as they can't just switch into English...

Hi everyone, Thanks for all of your suggestions and ideas. I talked to my host mother and told her that I'd learn more German if she spoke to me only in German and not in English. Sometimes she forgets, so I've been simply interupting her whenever she speaks English. I just cut her off mid-sentence and remind her that I only want to speak German. Today she responded by saying, "but you wouldnt understand it in German. So I have to speak English" So whether or not she's going to cooperate with me, I've still been working very hard at German on my own. I write down every word I learn, watch tons of TV, and I read the "Conni" series (books for small children.) I also tell everyone else to speak only German. Hopefully this will help me make the most of the short time that I'm here. Thanks again for helping me :) Tschüs Arial

Go into shops and very politely ask for something you know perfectly well they don't have, like cat food in a pharmacy. I used to spend entire afternoons doing this and getting into nice little conversations.