I hope this is the right place for this...

After having read and taken part in the homesick thread, I thought I should make this offer. I stated that you don't get as homesick if you know the language. I firmly believe this and would like to help anyone who is interested to lose their homesickness.

Here is the deal - if we can get 3-4 people together who are not that great at German and would like to improve - I'll teach you. I have been here for over 8 years and speak the language pretty well (can read anything - Goethe, Thomas Mann etc...) and as I teach English and have learnt German as a foreign language, I can teach German grammar with reference to English grammar - so that you really understand what is going on!

Will it cost anything? Well - a small fee of maybe €5 each per hour would be cool - to help motivate me to prepare and find interesting material etc...

Anyone interested?

Hi Chris
I am in I am already taking classes but I am struggling a bit I could sure use all the help I can get!!

I may be interested...depending on times/days. Certainly would chip in to compensate you. Thank you for the suggestion/offer!

I'm definitely interested. I can travel to Cologne. However, I live in Blankenheim so if something in between Blankenheim and Cologne works out for people I would perfer that.

-geoff

How do Chris,

I'd be interested, I too am already on a course, but would like to just practice my poor german, without the blummin grammer being rammed down my throat...

Would the 5 euros also mean all the tea you can drink and penguin biscuits you can eat? That would be the deal breaker for me!

Interested, whereabouts?

interested, like evryone else!

I would love to, but only after the month of May. If this project continues, could you please PM me?
it is a wonderful idea.

It looks like we are up to 50 or 60 Euros here...have we hit the minimum to get this thing off the ground?!?!

I would be interested as well

Wow - what a response! We now need to find a place and a time... I am pretty much tied to my shop - www.english-books-and-tea.de - and have got plenty of room here, so I suggest that we meet up here (it is quiet and there are chairs etc...). As far as time is concerned - that is a bit more tricky. One suggestion would be Saturdays at 18:30 or possibly Thursdays at 18:30? (although for that I'd have to move a different appointment - so Saturdays would suit me better).

Chris

P.S. It might be a good idea for people to re-reply with their rough level and what they are looking for - we can't possibly please everyone - so I need to see what most people are looking for.

P.P.S. If some people are looking for mainly conversation - I have a couple of German friends who really know their stuff - they might be more suitable. We could easily organize a small group with them too...

The course I have enrolled on has my level at B2. I am more interested in conversation, as my vocab is utter garbage and I immediately pull the blinds down when the word grammer is mentioned. Saturday's 18:30 is good for me, just after the footy has finished.

Complete and utter beginner, have 5 words in Kölsch...

Saturdays suit me

My German is allegedly at a similar level to Cota's and likewise, my vocab is utter pants, so rather than lessons, if there is an option of conversation with some patient German speakers, I would be interested.

I have been taking lessons for the last 3 months...3-4 hours a week. I would say around 35-40 hours of instruction. So, you can definitely say, I am very green. Nevertheless, if everyone is more advanced than I am...I will still come just to listen...

mrfc, Im a complete beginner not taking any formal lessons as I cant afford em so I think Ill join you in the listening

I'd be interested too !!...I came to here to improve on my deutsch but really havent had the opportunity to do so...im away this weekend though. Do let me know when the next meeting/lesson is

I would like to visit the english-books-and-tea shop toooo

KS

As for times, Saturday's would work. Sunday's would work well even better. During the week, Monday/Wednesday/Friday would be my preference.

But, I will adjust my schedule to whatever is convenient for ChrisCologne - he is the one helping us out!

I am also interested.When ru starting.Is any registration needed or shud i cum directly to the place.I am more intersted in saturday classes.

I am defintely interested as well. I've only been in Cologne for 8 weeks & so far learnt to order a kolsch and thats it!! It's been all about priorities ;-) I am flexible to do either an evening mid-week or Saturday evening so looking forward to know more...

Right - I see two groups forming here - one for beginners/relative beginners, and one for the more advanced B1/2+

I have spoken to a German friend who is studying law and speaks absolutely flawless high German. She is willing to lead a conversation group - I am going to meet with her on Monday to discuss when she has time - as soon as I can offer some times - I will post them here.

For the beginners' group - I could do Saturdays - but depending on the time - I might need to get someone to look after my shop. The other option would be Friday evening. So when would suit those of you who are interested in a beginners course?

Chris

Friday nights would definitely be my preference! Thanks again for organizing this Chris - quite nice of you to do.

Friday would be okay, but Saturday would be easier. But dont mind which for the beginner!

I thought I could help us organize a little bit. Any possibility of getting a date on the calendar? Possibly this Friday or Saturday?

As of now, we have the following people interested. I think it would be helpful if everyone classified their level of German. Use the following link, do a quick assessment of yourself, and post what level you think you are at:
http://www.learn-german.com/welcome/german_level_en.htm

Group A - More Experienced:
Cota (B2)
PrinceofDenmark (B2)

Group B - Less Experienced:
Murfc (A2)
Nowandlainers
Spillerkoln
Fishpz

Unkown Experience:
Galitz
AnthonyS
Alix
savy

Hello everybody,
I would be interested in joining GROUP B...!
I did the test on www.learn-german.com it says I'm level A2, although when i checked my wrong answers 8 of them were actually entered correctly eg.
Ihre Antwort auf Frage 2-1, [heißt], ist FALSCH! / Your answer for question 2-1, is [heißt], WRONG!
Wie heißt du?
They might have a wee glitch in their programming, but even so I know my German is far from fantastisch!

Updated list...

I thought I could help us organize a little bit. Any possibility of getting a date on the calendar? Possibly this Friday or Saturday?

As of now, we have the following people interested. I think it would be helpful if everyone classified their level of German. Use the following link, do a quick assessment of yourself, and post what level you think you are at:
http://www.learn-german.com/welcome/german_level_en.htm

Group A - More Experienced:
Cota (B2)
PrinceofDenmark (B2)

Group B - Less Experienced:
Abeattie (A2)
Murfc (A2)
Nowandlainers
Spillerkoln (A1)
Fishpz (A1)

Unkown Experience:
Galitz
AnthonyS
Alix
savy

Hey!

If it's not too late I would also like to join. I did the test, and scored A2(but you could only score A1 or A2). I studied German in school and need a kick start to get it all back. I know deep down somewhere in my brain it should be... It just needs to get out and at the moment the words won't come out.

So this really sounds super!! Any day and time is fine for me, but I travel a lot with work, so we'll see if it works out.

Hope to see you all soon.

Löööve
Caroline

I'm okay to do lessons on Fri night but would prefer Sat!! How close are we to kicking things off & having our 1st lesson!?!?

I'll take the test tomorrow but I expect I'll have the worst level, I've had no real training

Ok - this is beginning to look good!

B2 Group: I have spoken to my friend, but she hasn't got time at the moment, so I'm looking around for someone suitable. It needs to be a native who can explain their own language. I don't think a professional teacher would be a good idea - as they would probably too expensive.

A1/A2 Group: I suggest we meet after Easter - how does Friday 28th, 18:30 sound to you all? We could have a preliminary chat get a feel for what people want to do etc...

Chris

A1 :]

Sounds great to me Chris - see you on the 28th! Thanks again!

- Chris

Hi Chris

Thanks for trying, but no worries if your friend doesn't have time at the moment.

Obviously I can't speak for Cota, but I don't want 'professional' lessons. Not only can I not afford it, that's what I go to school for. All I'm really looking for is German conversation practice, so somebody who is happy (i.e. patient enough) to chat to me in German and give me a few pointers when necessary.

Cheers
PoD.

Hii,

if theres still room i'd like to join...looking at the chart i think im A1/B1 level...i'd like to come along to the first session to discuss the plan..unfortunately i usually work later than 1830hrs on friday so will have to see...

thanks

KS

the 28th should be okay!

I'll be there on the 28th!!
Thanks a lot for organizing!

hi...i'd like to join in at times too if possible. I took the test and I'm A2 too (that sounds weird!). Problem with me is I travel lots with my job and have to work late. But I would love to join you guys when i have the time.

Hi,

I checked and I am and A1

I would like to join you guys, but can only stay half an hour as Fridays do not really work for me. I am probably in the B group.

Friday 28th is fine for me!! Will we meet at your bookshop or do you have somewhere else in mind?
Have a Good Easter :-)

hi everyone. i'm new here and also interested to join for the lessons. I'm A2.

Hi everyone, I won't be joining the class but what about meeting up for a beer after your class on Friday night?
Anybody up for it?

Ok - so just to reiterate A1/A2 this Friday at my shop (Official reason: I have got space and it is quiet; Extra Unofficial Reason: You might want to buy something;-) )

Please note: this Friday will be mainly to see what everyone wants discuss formalities, get to know each other, agree on fixed time etc...

Chris

ein bierre bitte is the absolute extent of my german. im interested- any time outside regular office hours is good... is this still happening?

@germanless, yup

What time on Friday?

Not sure I can make it this Friday.. will see!

I will be there..

18:30

www.english-books-and-tea.de

Hey Chris, at the last minute I'd like to join too! Estimate I'm an A2. See you tomorrow 18:30!

I can´t make it tonight.

Well... that went ok methinks. Only light casualties, nobody seriously injured. The scars should heal over quite quickly. In a couple of months you will hardly notice anything.