Has anyone done an intensive German course in Germany they can recommend ?? I was thinking about Goethe Institute as I did a beginners course with them a few years ago.

I am currently in the US but thinking about a month in Germany surrounded by Germans to get me kick started.

I know if I stay with in-laws and do a course in Zurich I will get VERY confused as they are not good at remembering to speak in High German. When I tried to learn a few years ago it was a disaster with them.

I studied at the Tandem language school in Munich for 3 weeks back in january. Munich is a cool city, and I was happy enough with the school, although the extra-curricular options and outings were quite weak (in comparison to other schools i've been to in France). I did find it quite reasonably priced though, the classes were not too big, and the teachers generally pretty dedicated and interested in what they were teaching. I quite liked that the school (at least in January) wasn't that big (6 classes of c.9 students) and so I felt like the various staff knew who I was, as opposed to being in a language factory like some schools can be in summer.

I can't really compare it to anything else in Germany, but in comparison to the schools i've been to in France i was very happy.

The accommodation and host families is another important part of the trip. Unfortunately my host family weren't that great, but then it seems to come down to luck how good they are (one of my friends said his family were amazing and dinner was some of the best food he had eaten in his life)

Thank you !! I'll look into that one.

I'm about to embark on a 2 week course in Bamberg, will feedback on how it goes

Thank you. I look forward to hearing about it. What level are you at ???

Since you have yet to go.....

GLS Sprachschule is in Berlin (cheap and fun)
and has a campus with its own apartment hotel
http://www.gls-german-courses.de/

Lessons are of course in German so if you would like an unfair advantage I recommend the following English/German books:
1. German grammar in a nutshell (by Christine Stief)...pocket book that explains all the grammar essentials up to B2 level. Best 14 euro i have ever spent

2. Basic German Vocabulary (by Bock)
the 4000 most commonly used words, in example sentences. Learn the first 2000 and you will magically be able to understand newspapers and the news on TV!!

I passed the B1 exam with a 96% score. Just completed a month's intensive course at level B2 and found I was grammatically way ahead because of the nutshell book. Heading for the C1 exam (advanced)

Close to the Swiss boarder (Basel) is Freiburg im Breisgau where the Berlitz School is only one possibility to learn German. They also have a Goethe Institut school and several other language schools. The city is worth a stay!

Freiburg im Breisgau is a nice student city! Love the Markthalle and food choices.

Freiburg is a lovely town and defenitely worth a daytrip if you live in Switzerland.

But if one has a month to spend and I assume quite some free time next to the school to spend on cultural activities that ideally improve the language skills - I'd go to a major city. I'd take Hamburg or Hannover for the Northern German they speak. Köln or Düsseldorf could be alternatives, Berlin as well. Southern and Eastern German cities are out for their strong dialects.

thats not a good advice as in language schools there are perfectly high german, free saxon accent speaking teachers donig their job. practicing german in Munich would confront you with bavarian dialect the same as in Dresden or Leipzig the saxon dialect does. Dresden and Leipzig both are wonderful cities and cheap to live, study in. lots of culture and the fact being a town with many students... both have a vibrant nightlife etc.

a friend (british) of mine did a course in Dresden and was very happy with it

Same is probably true for the Goethe Institue Shanghai, but that's probably still not the best place to learn German if you have a month to spend.

That was my point and I believe it is something a beginner really doesn't need: if it is already a challenge for you to order a beer in Standard German, you have a better time practicing in an environment where you have a chance to understand the answer.

No doubt. Wonderful places for a weekend trip. IMHO not the perfect place for a beginners course.

Seriously: If you could spend a month improving your English, especially as a beginner, you'd probably not choose Edinburgh - while it surely is a vibrant city full of students and most definitely worth a visit. Simple as that.

Thanks for this... I am probably going to go down this route. the accom looks good...little studios.... at 42 I'm not too keen on sharing my living space........
I HAVE the German grammar in a nutshell already... I just need to start reading it !! I am working through a beginners course at home which I hope will give me a good base to start from !!

I recommend the following School:
IOR Sprachschule in Lörrach

http://ior-sprachschule.com/index.ph...-loerrach.html