Happy Halloween 2017

 
SPUK UND ZAUBER GIBTS HEUTE NACHT
ALSO NEHMT EUCH WOHL IN ACHT
WOLLT IHR HEUTE NACHT NICHT ZITTERN
MÜSST IHR ALLE MONSTER FÜTTERN
 
Die DeutschAkademie wünscht allen ein schaurig-schönes Halloween
 
#Alexanderplatz #DeutschAkademie #mitSpaßzumErfolg #creepyMonday #Monster #Ghost #Halloween

Happy Halloween

So it’s the scary time of the year, where the occasional vampire passed out on the footpath. It’s Halloween!

In Australia, Halloween is not that much of a big deal. As a kid, I did try ‘trick or treat’ but I did not do any tricks and I did not try to do it. Well, here in Berlin, it’s can be a big deal. And so, being last minute person, it’s too late to buy a costume so instead I draw on my t-shirt one of the weirdest and scariest error images you can get on your computer / laptop (see picture below). I think I was pretty scary.

There’s another halloween party this weekend, so I’ll don my nightmare inducing t-shirt, splash on a bit of fake blood, and weld a butter knife — I’m pretty sure I’ll be the scariest person there.

 

The game that’s spilt families!

It’s the last week of our A1.1 course, there’s only 2 more days left! Time has just flewn.

I won’t lie, Deutsch is a difficult language and every time I think I’ve got it understood we learn something new and I feel as lost as I did on my first day. Luckily our teacher devises activities and games to help us grasp new lessons. Today we learnt about Perfect Past tense, it was a tough lesson especially for a Monday. Hopefully after doing the homework I’ll start feeling more confident with it.

I just want to share with you a German game we played at the end of last week, we were suppose to use Deutsch small chat whilst playing the game, but we just got so engrossed in the game that it became about  winning and nothing else. This game is called Mensch ärgere dich nicht (don’t get angry). Gosh, at the beginning we were all nice and easy going, and then the tension started to build and everyone started focusing on not getting killed and winning. It was so much fun! If you get the chance, give it a go. Super fun and pretty much anyone, any age can play it. And yes, apparently this game has divided families, so check your competitive spirit.

 

Let’s get social!

Every week the below backboard at Deutsch Akademie, in Alexander Platz, get’s updated with activities and events. So far I haven’t attended anything, which is a shame because it looks like these activities are either free or cheap. So in the spirit of  Halloween perhaps it’s time to get social. I’m thinking of going to the Halloween party am Samstag (chucking in some Deutsch where I can). These activities are open to everyone, even if you’re not a student, so will to get your Social on too?

 

It’s time for the Doctor!

I’ll keep today’s post short, as I’m still recovering (mentally) from the unplanned needle stabbing at the doctor’s today. I’ll also try to  keep my whinging, about how hard it is to see a doctor in Berlin, short.

The highlight for today was how well I communicated in Deutsch. Somehow I had made an appointment at the doctors, with the near zero Deutsch I knew; that was 3 weeks ago, even for a simple GP visit you have to wait weeks! So I had grumpily noted the appointment and patiently wait. Today was the day. I rock up at the address, to find a massive square building in the place of the friendly doctor’s clinic I had imagined. The whole building was riddled with private specialists and doctors, where the hell was my doctor? After bouncing from one hidden reception to another, like a pinball, I finally found the right door. The first thing I said to the receptionist was «Hallo, ich habe einen Termin um halb drei.» I felt freaken awesome, I had officially said my first correct Deutsch sentence!  The elation was short lived though, it was all down hill from there, I didn’t understand a word of what the receptionist said.

What an ordeal today was, but at least my Deutsch classes are paying off.

The Coffee Break!

Hey everyone!

Let me tell you a funny story.

This day was a mess! Me and Sofia, my friend from class A1.1 German course in DeutschAkademie, ran late to class due to something we had to do, and it was the first time we entered late to the class. In Germany, the word «punctuality» has a high value. So of course Rudi would not wait for anyone who isn’t at class on time, he has a work to do and it is to teach us German! 🙂 Gut so Rudi!

You know these days that you wake up very tired and of course have so many things to do but because you are so tired it all become a big mass?! haha well, this day I was totally off! At the break time in class I said to Sofia I have to have some strong coffee otherwise… you know. So she gladly accepted to come with me to Einstein Kaffee right in front of the DeutschAkademie school.

The line was not so long but for some reason it took some time till we payed and got the coffee.
But hey! At least we got it!
Ho no! We looked at our watches… the break time is over and we are still here!
At the end we had to run back to class and of course we were late again! haha.. it’s one of these days isn’t it?

So here is a photo of me and my partner to crime.
A memory of this crazy day!

The most important thing is to keep your smile on your face and your head high!
And yes, we all have these kind of days that things doesn’t go as we planned or as we would like them to go, but as long as it come only once in a while that’s ok!

Cheers friends!!!!

See you,

Tal.

Class Overview

Hello!

My class in DeutschAkademie consists of people from different countries.

Our teacher Rudi is native German, he comes from Munich. He speaks German, English, French, Italian, Spanish and maybe more that I don’t remember. He uses German during the class but in case of need he can explain in other language too and also show the origin of the word from Latin and make this connection to what we know to what we learn in German and I find it extremely important and good!

In my class we are  I have classmates from South America, Europe and Africa and me from Israel in the Middle East.
Julain comes from Argentina, Silvia comes from Hungary, Dada comes from Nigeria, Julia comes from France, Marta comes from Italy, Javier comes from Chile, Leo comes from France-Italy, Sofia comes from Portugal, Giorgia comes from Italy 🙂

At class we are sharing each one of his culture and language and it helps to enrich our learning.
And here is a photo of us studying and having fun! (or just trying to understand Rudi.. haha)

See you next time!

 

Tal

The disappearing tower

October in Berlin is a mysterious time. After a cloudy and cold September, along came a sunny October. We became optimistic, winter was once again far away, summer decided to pay us another visit. Well that only lasted a week or so, then not only did it become cold and gloomy but also very foggy.

The fog sits so thick and heavy that it hides Berlin’s most recognisable tower, the Fernsehturm. From our class window we can easily see the tower, it was there in the morning and then in an hour’s time it was completely engulfed by the fog. It was as if the tower never existed, it was really surprising. Most of us can spot the tower from quite a distance away, I myself use it to get my bearings. So when I couldn’t see it, even from close distance, like from our classroom, I felt like asking «Who stole the tower»?

Even though it is getting colder every day and the sun disappears for a week at a time, the mistiness and the disappearing act of the tower makes for a playful October in Berlin. Quite perfect for Halloween!

Fotos vom Kulturprogramm im Oktober

Liebe Teilnehmer,

unser Ausflug in das Dokumentationszentrum „Topographie des Terrors“ am letzten Freitag war sehr informativ und bot uns Einblicke in die Geschichte des deutschen Nationalsozialismus und seine globale Wirkung. Für alle, die nicht dabei waren, haben wir hier ein paar Bilder zusammengestellt.

Euer DeutschAkademie Team

#DeutschAkademie #Berlin #Kulturprogramm #DeutschLernen #MitSpaßzumErfolg #TopographiedesTerrors

 

 

Have you been to dm yet?

Have you been to the chemist shop dm? At first I thought it was a bit weird that. Seriously, it’s a bizarre concept to buy a simple medicine at a shop that sells all sorts of wellness products (eye drops, shampoo, vitamins, etc). Anyways, aside from my cognitive dissonance.

«Why?» I hear you ask. I love that dm food gluten-free and vegan foods; it has the best toe socks for sneakers; the home brand products are really good quality at crazy cheap prices,  I refuse to buy branded soaps and shampoos now. Best of all, your 2 euro dm canvas bag can be exchanged for a new one once it’s all dirty and used, true story! I would recommend this to a friend.

In short, when I first came to Berlin dm helped me feel more familiar with my new hometown. Before you dismiss this as random ravings, check out dm for yourself.