Language swap advice - Berlin

Hi,

Has anyone here tried placing an advert to meet up with a native German speaker to swap language skills? If so, what was your experience of it?

I'm starting a language course in 6 weeks but looking for ways to improve my (fairly basic conversational) German before that and thought meeting up with a German person a couple of times a week might be a good way to do that. I saw that there is a regular language swap evening but the idea of a big group meeting in a noisy bar doesn't particularly appeal to me.

Thanks

Alex =]

You could go to the noisy bar meetup to meet up with native german speakers who also want to improve their english and perhaps meet elsewhere in a quieter environment.

A bar is a great place for a language exchange, because they have beer there. Beer is the universal language. Have one to loosen the tongue. Once you've had three or four, you'll be parlaying like old Goethe himself. And when you've had ten, you'll be on a par with that ultimate German icon, David Hasselhoff (floor cheeseburger optional).

Universal language, I like that. lol

HI Alex!

I've never done it myself but a lot of my english friends have and they all spoke very highly of the experience! 'Tandempartner' was the term used. It often ended up developing into a friendship as the german people who came forward for the exchange were all sooo lovely (and patient!).

Go for it!!

Jennifer

Hi Alex,
I'm a native Berliner from Friedrichshain. If you didn't found already a native German to talk to then send me an e-mail. I would also like to improve my English. :-)

Ciao Tom