<p>Does anyone have info about German immersion classes or programs this summer for college aged students? My child is doing a semester and internship in Germany his junior year, but only speaks fluent English and Spanish. Because his school is on the quarter system, it is hard to coordinate other summer university programs with his primary school. He will be able to take one semester at his school before the overseas trip, but really needs to fit in a couple more semesters this summer. Any ideas will be appreciated!</p>
<p>Concordia Language Villages in Bemidji Minnesota...</p>
<p>I would opt for the Goethe Institut if he can travel to Germany. They can be found on the web and have classes for all ages. The classes for high schoolers are not so rigorous and last only three weeks.</p>
<p>University of Vienna also runs a German language Summer Insititute. If you are in California near Claremont by any chance, I can recommend an excellent tutor-- she is an adjunct professor of German. But Goethe Institute is also a good idea.</p>
<p>He must not have to have fluency to carry out his internship, so if he cannot find anything before he leaves, most major cities in Germany have Goethe Instit classes as well as volkshochschule (adult ed) at reasonable cost (probably less than what he'd pay here). </p>
<p>He might also look into Berlitz courses here - they are fairly flexible in their scheduling and are very good for practical, spoken language (how to get along).</p>
<p>lefthandofdog - it would be great if he could have fluency - it would increase internship responsibilities and learning. Not being at all familiar with German, it is hard for me to judge if this is a reasonable expectation. He decided upon this German program fairly recently without much time to prepare. I will check out the Berlitz courses, thanks! Is fluency of German something one can pick up fairly quickly?</p>
<p>Pyewacket we are not near Claremont but I have been looking around for a private teacher. I know he will enjoy the learning more with other students, so am hoping to find a class. Would you be able to post the name of the German teacher in Claremont, or send it to me privately? Thanks! </p>
<p>Mardad, there is some immersion in Germany when he arrives. I was looking for something closer to home this summer - thanks! It may be the Goethe institute he will be at in Berlin.</p>
<p>Robrym - I knew about the Concordia Villages but the only adult classes are during the school year. The programs for younger students are in the summer. Thanks!</p>
<p>I think picking up fluency quickly would only happen if you were a whiz at languages. He may end up in a situation where many people speak English, which may make him more comfortable at first but will limit his ability to learn German. He could try language tapes in addition to finding a tutor or class before he leaves. A major influence on how quickly someone learns another language is how conscientious they are about trying to speak - if you hesitate to speak, you will have fewer opportunities to learn. Once you get over that initial reluctance (if that's a problem, it's not for everyone) you learn more every day. It's a process, like anything else. The immersion he's doing when he first arrives will most likely be excellent and put him in pretty good shape.</p>
<p>Middlebury in Vermont is famed for its summer immersion language programs. In fact the kids have to take a pledge to use only the language during the summer.</p>
<p>for info, see <a href="http://www.middlebury.edu/academics/ls/german/%5B/url%5D">http://www.middlebury.edu/academics/ls/german/</a></p>
<p>I concur with mikemac -- Middlebury has great summer immersion classes for undergraduates and graduates.</p>
<p>lol I thought the title of this thread said "German Invasion" and I was like "they... wouldn't do that again, would they?" hahaha :p</p>
<p>also in getting ready for a class this summer he could use the Pimsleur tapes which are all audio based and promise (if you go thru level 3) to get you to IntermediateHigh Spoken Proficiency Level. See <a href="http://www.pimsleurdirect.com/resources/proficiency/%5B/url%5D">http://www.pimsleurdirect.com/resources/proficiency/</a> Available from many stores, on ebay, and often at your local library they are expensive, but if it works I guess a few hundred bucks is worth it. I have no personal experience with them, but if you search around on the web you can find other people's opinions of this approach.</p>
<p>A comprehensive program that has aired many times on PBS is called "Fokus Deutsch". See <a href="http://www.learner.org/resources/series104.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.learner.org/resources/series104.html</a> This program is similar to "French in Action" from Yale. Like FIA, the approach is to combine video filmed in the country with workbooks, a textbook, audio tapes, etc. Many libraries have these materials. My local library, for example has "French in Action" and "Destinos" (the similar Spanish-language program).</p>