If someone is doing a language trip, ...

It's so much easier to learn in a beautiful city like Nice

BYM.de: Joëlle, you know French very well. Why did you decide to study for a language course?

Joëlle: I wanted to improve my French, but first of all, it was important to lose my inhibitions and speak the language actively. I think you can only do that when you're there. I also love France, I have been there many times on vacation, so I could combine both.

BYM.de: Is that the key advantage over learning from books?

Joëlle: Definitely, because when you get to know a foreign culture and its people, you can better engage in the language and learn much easier. Apart from that, I would never have sat down and learned at home.

Joëlle has had good experiences with her language holidays

BYM.de: What exactly did you expect from your language study?

Joëlle: After that I wanted to have a larger vocabulary, communicate fluently in everyday conversations and understand the French of the locals. On the other hand I wanted to study in France and for that you need a language certificate. Even if that did not work out with the studies, it is still my dream to live there for a while.

BYM.de: How was the lesson organized in your language school?

Joëlle: We were about 15 people in a mixed group of Spaniards, Brazilians, Japanese and Russians. We had four days of lessons and one day off. In total, that was about 20 lessons per week. During the lessons we have taken care of different topics: grammar, geography, music, mentality and sights. On the other hand, there were discussions and role plays in which we had to talk a lot. As icing on the cake we visited a cooking class once a week in which we cooked something typical French together with a teacher. At the end of each week we had to write a test so that our teachers could see how we were developing and where we might have some catching up to do. Finally, at the end, there was an examination of all the lessons with a certificate and a grade. In addition, you could also make a language certificate.

BYM.de: Did you quickly get in touch with the others from your class and the locals?

Joëlle: Yes, I quickly became friends with the people in my group. We did a lot of trips on our day off and on weekends and went out together in the evening. We also got in contact with French very fast. They were totally open and always happy when they tried to speak their language.

BYM.de: Was it hard to break down language barriers?

Joëlle: The first few days have been difficult, but eventually you have to talk to the people. Be it shopping or if you have to ask for directions. And often there are longer conversations. People ask them where they come from, how they like their country, etc. After a week, I did not find it difficult to approach people.

BYM.de: You did not speak German in Nice?

Joëlle: There was nobody. In my course, I was the only German. With the others, I could only talk in French or English. Besides, our teachers could not speak German. There were strict rules: we were only allowed to speak French during class and during breaks.

BYM.de: What did you take with you from the trip?

Joëlle: During that time, I learned a lot and in the end I spoke French fluently. It did not cost me any more effort. In addition, I have personally developed myself. I have become more independent through this time, because I had to settle everything myself and in a foreign language. In addition, I met many nice people there and found friends with whom I still have contact today.

BYM.de: What tips can you give to our users, who also want to do a language study trip?

Joëlle: You should first get informed about the organization or language school very well and ask other people who have already had experience with it. Above all, you should clarify exactly how the courses are organized and how you are accommodated. That's important, because in other countries you might have a different idea of comfort. You should also choose the place and the country carefully. The environment has to please you and you have to do something there. My advice: I would not go on a language study trip with a friend or a friend. One is then too fixated on this person, talks only in German and does not get in contact with others.In the field you should repeat what you have learned in class in the evening and address the locals without fear. When you are back, you must try to keep the foreign language alive. For example, after my language study trip, I read a lot in French, watched movies or listened to the radio. Or you keep in touch with someone you met in the country. If you do not practice the foreign language, you quickly forget it.

BYM.de: In your opinion, is a language holiday without prior knowledge useful?

Joëlle: If you have no foreign language skills, you should rather learn the basics at home, because without any vocabulary it will be problematic in everyday life. It is difficult to find your way around and not even ask the teacher or his host family.

BYM.de: How long should a language trip take, so that you really learn something?

Joëlle: My language trip took four weeks and that's really the minimum. After one to two weeks, I was really in it. Three months would have been better.