My experience with learning the German language
a report written by Ayesha Ismail

My first encounter with the German language was the day after we arrived, when we were a bit more energetic and Marion and Tom took us on a guided tour of the town, their interaction was my first real insight into this intriguing language. Thereafter I had many close encounters, on this bus as students spoke to one another and during my time at the Mensa, etc.
As part of our program, we had 5 intensive 2 hour lessons with a brilliant teacher – Liebe Eva. I was in the beginner program and boy, did we have lots of fun!!! My own research on the language prior to leaving South Africa indicated that it is a challenging language to learn, but her methods of teaching really made things really easy… We learnt basic greetings, the number system, tenses and so much more…. As students our class was pretty eager to put into practice what we have learnt, and our guinea pigs was of course our lectures --- who each day had to hear “ Wie Geht’s?” and the likes… He he he, it is really hilarious how we initially pronounced the words….
Liebe, Eva really used innovative techniques with us in class and always assured that we got sufficient practice, we even got to learn a pop song! Our class time was also supplemented with real life experience as we soon greeted and interacted with the students on our floors, the barman and random individuals we met daily … ?
As an individual who is keen to immerse themselves in the German culture, language learning played a large role – I was, through the use of the language, able to enter a different culture, a different world … I would like to thank you all for giving me this opportunity and be assured that this was just a stepping stone, I will carry the German flag high and will continue with learning this brilliant language … I certainly cannot wait for 2010 when the German masses will flock to our shore for the FIFA world cup ;)
Tausend Danke
Ich liebe die Deutsche Sprache

Ayesha Ismail