Language schools in Leipzig and Halle

At first I thought this was a Dresden forum, but in any case, I hope I can still get some feedback..

I am thinking of attending a language school in Leipzig for about a year, with the intention of going from A1 (know-nothing) to C1/C2. At first I was thinking about relocating to either Bonn or Mannheim because I thought I might attend the universities there (program taught in English), but I think I will devote my time in Germany solely to learning the language instead. Since I have more determination than $$$, I am considering moving to Leipzig as opposed to places like Munich. Someone told me the cost of living in Leipzig is quite low because of the high unemlpoyment rate or whatever (which does not affect me as I won't be looking for work - at least not until I reach C1/C2 level).

I was informed about this program "interDaF at Herder Institut" which goes for 4 month, allowing beginners to start at A1 and finish with ZD upon having passed the exam at the end. I think they have more advanced courses too. Does anyone know anything about this program? I am trying to plan this out strategically - either going to a relatively more expensive language school at the beginner stage and moving to VHS or something more cost efficient once having reached a certain level, or vice versa. Any thoughts? Thanks.

Hi Eironeuomenos,

Looking at their web-site...

They're offering 15 weeks @ 30 x 45 minute lessons per week. 16 students in a class. (which is quite high). Cost is 2220 € includes book and exam fees . After the course you'll do a test for B1 level. To reach C1 level you'll have to do the course another 15 weeks. Whether you can go from beginner to advanced in 30 weeks is questionable, in my opinion. They're making approx. 5€ per lesson per student. 16 students x 5 € = 80€ per 45 minute lesson which is a nice little earner. Hopefully that means you'll get a well paid professional teacher. I presume that as it's linked to the Uni, the courses will be of a fairly good standard. I personally don't know these courses. Make sure you do a trial lesson, speak to other students and get a feel for the course and maybe even ask for names and tel number of any ex-students before you sign any contract.

Good luck,

Vic

Thanks for your reply. I was thinking about Goethe Institute in Dresden, but it was even more expensive.. plus I would prefer Leipzig over Dresden.

I am hoping that 1 year of language school will get me to at least intermediate level (C1?). \
I emailed Goethe Institut and they told me from A1 to C2 after taking 5 ~ 6 of their 8 week courses, which basically is about a year. I just estimated based on that quote, perhaps I was being too optimstic, regardless of how motivated I am..?

Hi

What you have to consider is first do you have the time, it is obvious you have the inclination. But to reach C1 level is hard in such a short time. You would have to live and breathe the language.

Do not be fooled by the schools claims. They will say a lot to get students, business is business.

Really think about using all resources possible and having a rounded strategy; Plan B.

What will you do outside the lessons to hone this skill?

Too many students ignore the immersion and lifestyle changes you need to make to learn a language.

Good point. So aim to get yourself a German partner and a seat at the "Stammtisch" at the local bar within the first 2 weeks.

Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEF)

B2 = Intermediate/Upper Intermediate?
C1 = Advanced?

Ah thanks for that advice. I don't mean I want to just learn the language ASAP in the shortest time period available and get the hell out.. if I could really get to the advanced level (thanks Vicar for clearing up the framework/levels) in a reasonable time (i.e. before I use up all my $), and if I could find work over there relevant to my undergrad/grad studies, I would probably end up staying there for many years.

I guess my primary concern is also what you mentioned - I am a bit shy so I don't know how long it will take for me to totally immerse myself into the German culture/lifestye, find a German partner for example. But anyway.. outside the lessons I was going to try and watch all of my fav. German movies without having to resort to the subtitles.. lol. And find more neat movies/music in German. And try to find random cool restaurants that I could start going to every now and then.. where I could sort of hear a lot of German being spoken (outside of classroom). I dunno, haha I guess I will have to think more about plan B and the things I would do outside of my intensive language classes!

p.s. I have been googling a lot lately, and I read someone saying the German spoken in say, Leipzig is less pleasing to the ear (?) than the German spoken in Hannover or something.. is this true? Is it because of the difference in accents in different regions?

Hi

This criticism of the lingo here is heard so often, even by people who do not come here. The majority of "institutionally educated" bods speak without the typical Saxon accent. I have only ever had problem with construction workers and guys form the villages or Chemnitz (a city nearby).

The accent is like any other Yorkshire, Texan, Geordie, Bronx, it is all a question of training the ear.

Obviously you have thought things through a bit. Maybe you would benefit from joining these groups;

http://www.deutsch-als-fremdsprache.de/

https://www.xing.com/net/leipzig/

Do not be put off by Wessie condemnation of Leipsch, a lot have not even been to the city of Bach, Schiller, Thomas Choir, Goethe, BMW, Porsche, DHL and great lakes.

It may be good for you to mix with the ex-pat crowd, BUT it could hinder you lingo learning, did mine until I made more an effort to mix with the locals.

If attend you a language course you'll naturally meet other people through the course. Hopefully the course you choose will be with mixed nationalities so that you'll have to speak German with the other students. The danger being you'll hang around other English speaking people on the course after the lessons.

You beat me to it.

Thanks for the replies.

I've heard a lot of internationals enroll in the program I mentioned, especially a lot of Chinese students. I can't speak Chinese so..
And I guess during the first four months I am there when I am taking beginner courses in an effort to get ZD, I will try to get by without always hanging around North American students and/or the ex-pats. Are there a lot of ex-pats in Leipzig? Cities like Munich have TT meetups right, do such things exist in Leipzig too? What do <i>you</i> guys do in your spare time? I guess all of you are fluent in German and possibly have (German) partners already.

There are nowhere as many ex-pats in Leipzig as there are in Munich which can be seen as positive or negative. But there things like Irish Pubs, English tables etc.

Use them to learn the language and then dump them.

hey rafs!

good advice. is that what you did?

Hey Eironeuomenos,
I'm in the VHS here in Leipzig and, while I haven't been to any of the private German language schools, I can't imagine they could offer too much more for the money . The classes are pretty small (about 14 people) and the themes studied are very practical. The text book we're using is called Berliner Platz (Langenscheidt publish it) if that helps. The range of nationalities is very broad but I've found that nearly everyone speaks some English. It's nice at the start but, as a shy person, I'm finding it hard now to make the jump to speaking German.

Anyway, it's not that I have anything against the private schools, but VHS is cheap and I think it would fulfill most people's purposes. (€323 per 10 week term, 3 terms to get the basic diploma. Starts at 8.30am till 12.30pm with 30 min break. I think there are night courses too.) I really wouldn't worry too much about picking up a bad accent, especially at the start. Just being able to communicate is a good start.

Best of luck,
John

Hi just a word about getting to know people -- that shouldn't be too difficult even if you're shy. People in Leipzig are very open and friendly indeed. If you prefer a smaller city to a big one Leipzig is the place to go, and there are not too many English speakers around to distract you from learning German. A single ad in the local mag Kreuzer will result in a long queue of girls who'll be more than happy to be your tandem partner and exchange their German for your English.

506,000 people live in Leipzig (slighty more than Dresden) making it the biggest city in Saxony.

I wish it were always that easy to get a female queue outside your door.

What of a long queue of men? Seeing as how I am a girl..
But I guess girls are ok too (for a tandem partner).