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What's the difference between walking a marathon and learning German?

Thu, 10 May 2012 15:37:49 +0100

That's a stupid question, I hear you say! Walking a marathon is a physical challenge, learning German isn't!
True, but they are both challenges.

Imagine:

You're looking for a challenge and decide to walk a 26 miles marathon. You book your place and as it's quite a while before the walking date, you're not really worried about it.

You're looking for a challenge and decide to learn German, You book your place at an evening class and as it's quite a while before the course starts, you're not really worried about it.

The date of the walk nears and you're getting worried: Have trained enough? Will I be able to walk the whole 26 miles? What if I can''t do it?

The start of the course nears and you're getting worried: Have I booked the right course? Will I be any good at learning a foreign language? What If I can't do it?

The marathon starts, you're off. The first few miles are easy and you're wondering why you were worried about it. Walking 26 miles is so easy - piece of cake!

The course starts, you're off. The first few words or even lessons are easy and you're wondering why you were worried about it. Learning German is so easy - piece of cake!

Then it's going uphill and suddenly you're struggling. It seems as if nobody else has a problem. You're getting worried: Will I be left behind?

Then you'll learn the first bit of grammar and suddenly you're struggling. It seems as if nobody else has a problem. You're getting worried: Will I be left behind?

No, you've managed the hill, it's going downhill again.... until you reach the next hill!
No, you've managed the grammar, it's getting easier again .... until you get to the next difficult bit.

And so it carries on. Sometimes you feel as if everybody else can walk the 26 miles without any problems and you're the only one who is struggling. Sometimes you meet fellow walkers who struggle the same. Sometimes you overtake them.

And so it carries on. Sometimes you feel as if everybody else can learn German and you are the only one who is struggling. Sometimes you meet fellow students who struggle the same. Sometimes you understand things which they don't.

You may get a blister or two, or you walk comfortably throughout the whole walk.
You may get a headache or two, or you attend every lesson without problems.

And finally you feel over the moon when you get to the finishing line and receive the medal/ certificate ...
And finally you feel over the moon when you've passed an exam/ managed that conversation, held that presentation ...

Oh, and that's me walking towards the finishing line after 26 miles J

German Recipe - Strammer Max

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 23:58:00 +0100

Strammer Max is a very popular and simple meal (Hausmannskost) or pub meal (Kneipenessen) in Germany.

All you need is a slice of rye bread (or two, if you like). I used bread from a German baker, the rye bread you can get in the supermarkets looks different.

Butter the bread.

Add a slice of Westphalian Ham or Parma Ham.

Fry and egg and place it on top of the ham, add salt & pepper.

Enjoy!

Guten Appetit!

Liebeslied - Love Song

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 23:37:13 +0100

I just found this beautiful German love song - perfect for Valentine's Day - so I thought, I'd share it with you.

The song is in German and rather long, but apart from the German 'Ich liebe dich' you will hear it in 12 other languages.

That's "I love you" in:

German
English
French
Italian
Spanish
Dutch
Chinese
Russian
Turkish
Arabic
Bavarian
Swiss German
Finnish

See if you recognise them all - viel Spaß!

48 Questions

Sat, 11 Feb 2012 17:59:19 +0100

I read a great blog post this morning and liked it so much, I’m copying it! Sharon (thanks for the idea btw) wrote that she got the idea from Juli who got it from somebody else.

I have no idea who Juli is, but my thanks go to her, too ;-)

So for once you will be reading just about me – hope you can cope J

1. What time did you get up this morning? At 10am. I was catching up on some work last night and forgot about time - didn’t get to bed until 2.30am

2. How do you like your steak?

I’m not really a steak person, I’d rather have a nice lamb chop.

3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema?

Erm, can’t remember.

4. What is your favourite TV show?

I only tend to watch TV at the weekend. At the moment it’s ‘Casualty’, but I also like some of the stand-up comedy shows and any British crime stories, like Silent Witness, Midsomer Murders, Lewis, etc…

5. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?

I don’t know, I’m quite happy where I live.

6. What did you have for breakfast?

At weekends lots of coffee and rolls with homemade jam. At the moment I’m eating a lovely quince jelly that my 12 year old nephew got me for Christmas.

7. What is your favourite food?

Pizza & chips, followed by chocolate.

8. Foods you dislike?

I don’t like ginger (but if the only chocolates available are around some ginger I’ll suffer it ;-))

9. Favourite place to eat?

At home – with somebody else cooking ;-)

10. Favourite dressing?

I don’t know, I like most.

11. What kind of vehicle do you drive?

A Peugeot 206

12. What are your favourite clothes?

Jeans and T-Shirt, or in this weather jeans, T-shirt and thick jumper.

13. Where would you visit if you had the chance?

I’d love to visit my daughter who is currently in New Zealand.

14. Cup 1/2 empty or 1/2 full?

Definitely ½ full!

15. Where would you want to retire?

Don’t know. At the moment the question for me is ‘When do you want to retire?’ and my outstanding mortgage will give me the answer. Then I’ll see, where.

16. Favourite time of day?

Any time after 10am, as long as it’s sunny!

17. Where were you born?

Iburg (now Bad Iburg) in Germany

18. What is your favourite sport to watch?

The only sport I ever watch is when Germany beats, oops sorry, plays England in football J

19. What is your favourite fragrance?

‘Eau naturelle’ – I am allergic to perfume.

20. What is your favourite face cream?

Whatever is cheap and skin friendly.

21. Favourite baby/kids products?

Baby products are for babies J

22. People watcher?

Sometimes, if I’m in a café on my own.

23. Are you a morning or night person?

I’m a night owl and work best around midnight – not always useful if I then have to get up at 6am ;-)

24. Do you have any pets?

I’ve got three chickens, but I wouldn’t call them pets.

25. Any new and exciting news you’d like to share?

I’ve won the lottery – oh no, that was a dream L

26. What did you want to be when you were little?

A teacher, then a stewardess, then a backing singer or dancer for any famous pop group.

I became a teacher!

27. What is your favourite memory?

My dad wrapping me in a lovely warm duvet on cold winter’s days.

Giving birth to both of my children – well, maybe not the birth itself, but the fantastic feeling afterwards!

28. Are you a cat or dog person?

Neither

29. Are you married?

Divorced

30. Always wear your seat belt?

Absolutely!

31. Been in a car accident?

A minor one, but not my fault, I hasten to add!

32. Any pet peeves?

Possibly J

33. Favourite pizza toppings?

Depends on my mood, either with lots of meat or with lots of veggies

34. Favourite flower?

I don’t know, but if anybody would like to surprise me with a lovely bunch, they are very welcome.

35. Favourite ice cream?

Rum & raisins

36. Favourite fast food restaurant?

McDonalds (just don’t tell anybody)

37. How many times did you fail your driver’s test?

Once

38. From whom did you get your last email?

From Twitter J

39. Which store would you choose to max out your credit card?

None, I prefer to spend cash in charity shops.

40. Do anything spontaneous lately?

Yes, I volunteered to hold a presentation – I may still regret this J

41. Like your job?

No – love it!

42. Broccoli?

Love it, I grow it on the allotment.

43. What was your favourite vacation?

Australia.

44. Last person you went out to dinner with?

I met two language teachers for a pizza a few weeks ago.

45. What are you listening to right now?

My washing machine in its final spin.

46. What is your favourite colour?

Purpe

47. How many tattoos do you have?

Despite major efforts of my son to have some - none!

48. Coffee drinker?

Absolutely!

Hey, hey, hey, look, what we've done!

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 18:01:02 +0100

Today was the last day again of another term at the German Saturday School. The four oldest in the group - Cissi, Charlotte, Abigail and Yona - had been doing work on TV programmes this term.
So, for the last lesson they were allowed to make a powerpoint presentation of a poem about advertising (taken from the book 'Ja Klar 3, Deutsch als Fremdsprache für die Grundschule')

We had one problem, though - we only had one laptop.
Plus, it was a German laptop, which meant, it didn't have the QWERTY keyboard and the PPT programme was in German. So, instead of 'Insert' it read 'Einfügen', instead of 'new slide' it said 'Neue Folie', and 'Slide Show' was 'Bildschirmpräsentation', etc... - all new words for them!

But that didn't bother them. One girl at a time used the laptop and copied out part of the poem, whereas the others drew pictures. After I scanned the pictures in, they finished the presentation with some sounds and did a spell check.

They are really pleased with their work. Have a look and let me and them know what you think about the story of Stefan Kahr

Pilates vs German Lessons - What's the Difference?

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 21:07:19 +0100

I had an interesting conversation with a friend earlier about keep fit classes and language classes (she is also a language teacher) and how much easier it seems to go to Pilates classes instead of German lessons.

We started to compare them -

attending keep fit classes is good for losing weight
they are good for your physical well-being
if you miss several, you can still re-join later and carry on without any problem.

These points don't seem to apply for learning a language, don't they? Well, I disagree, and this is why:

Learning a language is good for losing weight: Just imagine, you're at home getting bored, so you go to the cupboard and get another bar of chocolate or packet of crisp. If, on the other hand, you were at an evening class learning German, you would have so much fun, you wouldn't even think about chocolate or crisps (Ok, this may not apply if you have a Christmas or end of year party)

Language classes are good for your physical well-being: Absolutely! If you have joined the right class, you will laugh out loud a lot during the lessons - and we all know that laughing burns calories

If you miss many lessons ... well, that is the only point where language learning loses out. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to catch up if you miss too many lessons, although with the help of your tutor and some extra work at home it can be possible.

But learning a language is also good for your mental well-being. "Evidence shows that continuing to learn throughout life can help improve and maintain our wellbeing."

So, to summarise it again -

There is absolutely nothing wrong with joining a Pilates class, but if you want to do something good for you, join a German class (other languages are also good J). With the right group and teacher you will have so much fun, you will laugh yourself slim, you will prevent any age related illnesses, and for one or two hours you can forget about any personal problems in you life.

You think I'm exaggerating?

Of course, I am, but why don't you try it out and see whether there might just be a tiny shred of truth in it?

Let me know if you agree with me. I'd love to know. Leave a comment below or send me a tweet or comment on facebook

photo credit: familymwr via photopin cc

It's in his kiss - Erm, no, it isn't!

Sat, 21 Jan 2012 15:22:43 +0100

Actually, on this occasion, it isn't - It's in his handshake ;-)

German like to shake hands when they meet. If they meet friends or relatives they may hug or kiss, but if it's a business meeting or they meet an acquaintance then they shake hand. It is not uncommon to see a German arrive at a business meeting and shake hands with everybody present. Likewise when they leave.

So, how do you do the perfect handshake?

Well, I have searched high and low for you and have found the answer.

Enjoy!

Sternsinger

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 19:15:34 +0100

For the 12 days of Christmas between Christmas and Epiphany (the 6th January) many children in Germany dress up as the three wise men and go round people's houses singing and collecting money for charity.

A few days ago, while in Germany, I came across an interesting article about one of the songs the 'Sternsinger', as they are called, might sing. I could not find the tune or a version on Youtube but I did find the lyrics:

Nun reisen wir froh nach unsrer Sonnen

Wir haben allhier groß Heil vernommen
Des freuet sich die englische Schar:
Wir wünschen euch allen ein glückselig Neujahr

Wir wünschen dem Herrn einen goldnen Hut
Er trinke keinen Wein, er sei denn gut
Des freuet sich die englische Schar:
Wir wünschen euch allen ein glückselig Neujahr

Wir wünschen dem Herrn einen goldnen Bronnen
So ist ihm niemals sein Glück zerronnen.
Des freuet sich die englische Schar:
Wir wünschen euch allen ein glückselig Neujahr

Wir wünschen dem Herrn einen goldenen Mutzen,
Er lasse sich auch von keinem trutzen
Des freuet sich ....

Wir wünschen dem Herrn einen goldenen Tisch
Auf jeder Eck einen gebratenen Fisch
(an allen vier Eclen gebratenen Fisch)
Des freuet sich ....

Wir wünschen der Frau einen goldenen Rock,
Sie geht daher als wie ein Dock.
Des freuet sich ....

Wir wünschen dem Sohn ein Feder in die Hand,
Damit soll er schreiben durchs ganze Land.
Des freuet sich ....

Wir wünschen der Tochter ein Rädelein,
Damit soll sie spinnen ein Fädelein.
Des freuet sich ....

Wir wünschen der Magd einen Besen in die Hand,
Damit soll sie kehren die Spinnen von der Wand.
Des freuet sich ....

Wir wünschen dem Knecht eine Peitsch´ in die Hand,
Damit soll er fahren durchs ganze Land.
Des freuet sich ....

Wir wünschen euch allen einen goldenen Wagen,
Damit ihr könnt ins Himmelreich fahren.
Des freuet sich ....

Basically, the singers wish the members of the family various things for the new year:
They wish the husband amongst other things a golden hat, a golden well and a golden table. (not bad)
They wish the wife a golden skirt, (hmm, is that it?)
the son a quill, (it's going downhill now :-)
the daughter a spinning wheel, (this sounds like work)
the maid a broom,
and the servant a whip!!!

The chorus goes: Des freuet sich die englische Schar. Although this sentence contains the word 'englisch' it doesn't mean 'English', it means the army of angels are happy about it, so no Brits that are happy about it :-)
Wir wünschen euch allen ein glückselig Jahr.
We wish you all a happy year.

Which is what I wish you too: happy new year, and I hope you'll get your golden hat or table or skirt or broom J

51 things I learned this year

Tue, 08 May 2012 20:35:51 +0100

2011

A few weeks ago some friends wrote blog posts about 51 things they learned this year (I could give you the links to their posts, but if I did you would want to buy a house in Spain and use Arrow Same Day Courier Services to get you there - and then you wouldn't want German lessons, so I won't J)

Anyway, I liked the idea, so here are mine:

Having the best son and daughter living abroad is not always fun.
Skype lets me keep in contact with them but also allows me to teach students as far as Russia or the other side if Swindon, and even Crawley ;-)
I have done some very interesting translations this year.
I now know everything (well, not quite)about wire mesh fencing ;-)
... and infrared heaters
... and water conditioners
... and contact lenses
... and recycling in Italy
... and old illegible German handwriting
But I need to brush up a bit on German and English bird and plant names if I need to simultaneously interpret about Wiltshire Wildlife again
Twitter is still good for getting work
Knowing the right people on- and offline is good for getting work!
Writing blog posts is good for getting work.
I enjoy writing blog posts (big surprise)
More people comment on posts I have written on other blogs than on my own (but I'm working on that)
I love teaching children!
I love teaching adults (they behave - usually ;-))
Secondary school students are ok on a one-to-one basis
I've got fantastic students.
Wiltshire College's decision to make me and other language teachers redundant is their loss, not mine!
It is good to have the courage to try some new things.
My first flash mob was lacking the mob, but my next one will be huge!
I love teaching German with songs and there will be more!
Working on the allotment is a good way to relax from translations or teaching.
But being on the allotment when it's raining or very windy, isn't.
My chickens don't lay many eggs any more but still need feeding.
Having a lodger who is training to be a chef doesn't mean you get great meals cooked for you but can mean a messy kitchen.
When you meet online friends for the first time for real, you'll find them as nice as you thought they would be!
Google hangouts are fun!
Going to a business exhibition with a raging toothache is a bad idea.
Going to a birthday party with a raging toothache is even worse.
Singing out loud in the car despite having a sore throat and nasty cough is just as stupid.
Driving on long winding, lonely roads in the dark isn't fun
It's great going to the pub and meeting somebody who wants German lessons.
It's great to receive a phone call from somebody trying to get you onto page one on google, only to tell them, you're already there!
I learned a lot from Nikki Pilkington's Blog Challenge
I had a great time being on the radio.
Going to a networking event and winning a huge hamper is brilliant!
Putting a sticker on the back of your car about your business gets you noticed.
Climbing UP St Mary's Church tower in Devizes is fun,
... but coming DOWN isn't.
The Danube is a great river.
But the Kennet and Avon Canal with its 13 locks near Devizes is just as great.
I still can't bake,
... but my cooking skills are improving.
Dave Brookside is the best wrestler in the world ;-)
I've got some fantastic students - well worth mentioning twice :-)
I love my smart phone, he he.
Apparently I am an oxymoron (because I am German and have a sense of humour)
I love my job!
And finally: the Fenton video on Youtube is still stupid ;-)

Have I missed anything important?

The 12 days of Christmas, erm, no, the 12 days of German learning

Mon, 26 Dec 2011 14:02:26 +0100

On the first day of Christmas, Angelika gave to me

a German textbook to see.

On the second day of Christmas, Angelika gave to me

2 types of 'you' (formal and informal)

and a German textbook to see.

On the third day of Christmas, Angelika gave to me

3 words for 'the' (der, die, das)

2 types of 'you'

and a German textbook to see.

On the fourth day of Christmas, Angelika gave to me

4 German cases (nominative, accusative, dative, genitive)

3 words for 'the'

2 types of 'you'

and a German textbook to see.

On the fifth day of Christmas, Angelika gave to me

5 modal verbs (müssen, sollen, können, dürfen, wollen)

4 German cases

3 words for 'the'

2 types of 'you'

and a German textbook to see.

On the sixth day of Christmas, Angelika gave to me

6 different tenses (present, perfect, imperfect, pluperfect, future 1, future 2)

5 modal verbs

4 German cases

3 words for 'the'

2 types of 'you'

and a German textbook to see.

On the seventh day of Christmas, Angelika gave to me

7 possesive adjectives (mein, dein, sein, ihr, unser, euer, ihr)

6 different tenses

5 modal verbs

4 German cases

3 words for 'the'

2 types of 'you'

and a German textbook to see.

On the eighth day of Christmas, Angelika gave to me

8 dative prepositions (aus, außer, mit, nach, bei, seit, von, zu)

7 possesive adjectives

6 different tenses

5 modal verbs

4 German cases

3 words for 'the'

2 types of 'you'

and a German textbook to see.

On the ninth day of Christmas, Angelika gave to me

9 two-way prepositions (an, auf, hinter, in, neben, über, unter, vor, zwischen)

8 dative prepositions

7 possesive adjectives

6 different tenses

5 modal verbs

4 German cases

3 words for 'the'

2 types of 'you'

and a German textbook to see.

On the tenth day of Christmas, Angelika gave to me

10 most used German conjunctions (und, dass, als, oder, aber, wenn, weil, denn, sondern)

9 two-way prepositions

8 dative prepositions

7 possesive adjectives

6 different tenses

5 modal verbs

4 German cases

3 words for 'the'

2 types of 'you'

and a German textbook to see.

On the eleventh day of Christmas, Angelika gave to me

11 German question words (wer, wie, was, wo, wohin, warum, wieso, weshalb, wem, wen, wann)

10 most used German conjunctions

9 two-way preposotions

8 dative prepositions

7 possesive adjectives

6 different tenses

5 modal verbs

4 German cases

3 words for 'the'

2 types of 'you'

and a German textbook to see.

On the twelfth day of Christmas, Angelika gave to me

12 most used German verbs (sein, haben, werden, können, müssen, wollen, mögen, wissen, machen, sollen, heißen, sagen)

11 German question words

10 most used German conjunctions

9 two-way preposotions

8 dative prepositions

7 possesive adjectives

6 different tenses

5 modal verbs

4 German cases

3 words for 'the'

2 types of 'you'

and a German textbook to see

;-)