| The short and easy answer is "YES". | | | | I remember thinking "wow, so that's what it's |
| | | | called when I say that." |
| In fact anyone who has graduated from high | | | | |
| school and has a good grasp of their own | | | | Basically your learning the lingo. |
| language can make a comfortable living as a | | | | |
| freelance trainer in Germany. | | | | A TOEFL certificate would be a big advantage |
| | | | and you can do the course in the evenings or |
| However, a little prep work is required in | | | | at weekends. It's worth the relatively small |
| order to avert disaster. | | | | price you pay. |
| | | | |
| Over the years I've seen so many people come | | | | 3. Observe the culture. |
| full of enthusiasm only to leave in tears a | | | | |
| few short months later. I can't guarantee you | | | | Search the net, read German authors and watch |
| success but if you follow the 5 guidelines | | | | German movies. |
| below then your adjustment will be a lot | | | | |
| easier. | | | | Learn a little about the German culture. |
| | | | |
| 1. Learn some basic German. | | | | Germans are a lot more reserved than British |
| | | | or Americans and need a little more time to |
| You don't have to be a fluent speaker but a | | | | warm up. Don't mistake this for |
| few months before your trip you should buy a | | | | unfriendliness. Once you gain their trust you |
| basic phrase book. "Where is the train | | | | won't find more loyal friends. Eating on the |
| station?" "How much is this?" etc. | | | | street can be frowned upon but drinking a |
| | | | bottle of beer on your way home from work |
| Make sure it has a phonetic pronunciation | | | | isn't really out of place. |
| guide. | | | | |
| | | | 4. Have your papers ready. |
| It doesn't matter if your German is terrible | | | | |
| at the start, as long as you make the effort | | | | The people here are highly organized and for |
| to speak the language then most of the | | | | us maybe a little too bureaucratic. |
| natives will try their best to help you. | | | | |
| | | | Make sure you have all your relevant |
| DO NOT blurt out "Hey dude, where can a guy | | | | education papers, tax info. , social security |
| get himself a mickey dees and a cold bottle | | | | etc. |
| of suds in this town?" Although a lot West | | | | |
| Germans had a little English in school most | | | | You also have to register for a work permit |
| of them have forgotten it. How much high | | | | but most schools will help you with this |
| school French or Spanish can you remember!?! | | | | process. Although the authorities are more |
| | | | tolerant with non-German speakers they still |
| 2. Brush up your grammar. | | | | expect everything to be done exactly right. |
| | | | If you have to organize your work permit by |
| Native speakers use complex grammar | | | | yourself then try to have a bi-lingual |
| structures without thinking what they are | | | | speaker with you. |
| called. | | | | |
| | | | 5. Have a "Plan B". |
| Now you need to learn the names and when they | | | | |
| are used. DON'T PANIC! | | | | Even with the greatest preparation things can |
| | | | sometimes go wrong. |
| Essential Grammar In Use ISBN | | | | |
| 3-12-533460-8 | | | | Make sure that you have an open return plane |
| | | | ticket, travel insurance and enough emergency |
| This book is the bible for English trainers | | | | money with you in case things don't go as |
| and it's written simply and clearly. | | | | planned. |
| | | | |
| GET IT NOW! Read it from cover to cover and | | | | It could be that you get here and the culture |
| do all the exercises. | | | | shock is too great, maybe you have a skiing |
| | | | mishap on your day off or being an English |
| Remember you are not learning the language, | | | | trainer isn't all you thought it would be. |
| just brushing up. | | | | |
| | | | It's better to be safe than sorry. |