Tips on renting a room in a flatshare

My friend and I are goint to be in Berlin at the end of June to do a one month German course. We have booked a hostel for a few days, but our plan was to look for a short-term let in a flatshare, preferably with students, so that we can meet new people and have the chance to practise our german. I'm sorry if this question has been asked many times before, but how would you go about doing this? I have found a few german flatshare websites - is it best to read about what is available and then call up, as opposed to posting an ad yourself? Also, are there any student accommodation places that may be available over the summer, as that would also be a good option.

As far as websites go, www.wg-gesucht.de is the most comprehensive, though Craigslist is also worth a look (http://berlin.en.craigslist.org/roo/). In my experience answering other people's ads is more effective than placing your own. And if you get an appointment to view, bear in mind that the whole process is quite interview-like here, so be charming and enthusiastic! (It took me quite a while to twig that my British technique of showing complete disinterest wasn't getting me all that far...) Also, this might not be so much of an issue for a short-term let, but it can take longer than you think to find somewhere to stay, so try to set up appointments before you arrive so that you can launch straight into viewings when you get here.

You'll see ads posted on noticeboards around university buildings, too - you don't say where you're doing your course, but there's bound to be something like that.

Good luck!