Happy National Day, Romania!

On 1^st of December it was Romania National Day. In 1918, so 98 year ago the 3 big provinces: Moldova, Transylvania and Muntenia decided to unite under the name of Romania.

Back home, officials are taking this celebration really serious and they are preparing all kind of events: military parades, cooking competition, dancing and singing concerts. For us is an important day, and I was very surprised when some other colleagues of mine, from other Balkan countries, did not knew when their National Day is, or that of them is not of such a big importance and not learning about it in school. But, because I don’t want this to be a historic post, I will translate for you a couple of know expressions that we have, and maybe I will be able to put a smile on your face.

Romanian best known expressions:

• A Romanian doesn’t have “unusual ideas”… he has “a curly mind” (Minte creață).
• A Romanian will not look at you “confused”… he will “stare like the crow at the bone” (Ca cioara la ciolan).
• A Romanian is not “a drunkard”… he’s “a blotting paper” (Sugativă).
• A Romanian hasn’t been “scammed”… he “took a spike” (A luat țeapă).
• A Romanian won’t “call it quits”… he’ll “stick his feet in” (Își bagă picioarele).
• A Romanian is not “stupid”… he’s “a Venice bush” (Tufă de Veneția).
• As a Romanian you don’t “fool yourself”… you “get drunk with cold water” (Te îmbeți cu apă rece).
• A Romanian doesn’t just “keep quiet”… he “keeps quiet like the pig in a corn field” (Tace ca porcu-n păpușoi).
• A Romanian is not “nervous”… he “has a carrot (in the ass)” (Are un morcov în fund).
• A Romanian won’t say that something is “cool”… he’ll say it’s “concrete” (Beton).
• A Romanian won’t tell you to stop “wasting time”… he’ll tell you to stop “rubbing the mint” (Freca menta).
• A Romanian is not “crazy”…he’s “gone on a raft” (Dus cu pluta).
• In Romania, things are not “far away”… they’re “at the devil’s mother” (La mama naibii).
• A Romanian will not have “the impostor syndrome”… he will “feel with the fly on his cap” (Se simte cu musca pe căciulă).
• You don’t “drive a Romanian nuts”… you “take him out of his watermelons” (Îl scoți din pepeni).
• A Romanian doesn’t simply deem an effort “useless”… he says it’s “a rub on a wooden leg” (Frecție la picior de lemn).
• A Romanian is not “extremely tired”…he’s “cabbage.” His life is not “chaotic”… it’s “cabbage.” And his room is not “a complete mess”…it’s also “cabbage” (Varză).
• A Romanian doesn’t “suddenly get it”… his “coin drops” (Îi pică fisa).
• Nor will he “lie to you”… he’ll “sell you doughnuts” (Vinde gogoși).
• A Romanian won’t “try to fool you”…he’ll “throw vapours at you” (Te aburește).
• A Romanian hasn’t just “screwed up”…he “threw his boogers in the beans” (A dat cu mucii-n fasole).
• A Romanian won’t “lose temper”…his “mustard will jump off” (Îi sare muștarul).
• A Romanian is not “surprised”… his “face has fallen off” (I-a picat fața).

B1.1.!

On Monday I started a new chapter in my life regarding the process of learning German. I am speaking about the fact that I finished my A level, and just started the B1.1. level in Deutsch Akademie.

If usually I was saying that the classes are quite intensive, this month I will reinforce my statement as we are having classes from Monday to Friday, so 3 hours per day, every week day. I will keep you updated regarding this experiment.

As I started to work, I am doing the evening classes. I can say that we are a little bit more quiet and maybe tired, as most of my colleagues are working. From my point of view, having a German class in the evening, also shows our commitment and desire for learning German.

I am very excited about this new beginning and I hope my time will allow me to try to have some posts in German.

In the end, I would like to ask you how is your process of learning German going? Are you satisfied with your evolution?

Keep practicing… practice, practice, practice is the key of learning. 

Hello again,

It’s been a while since my last post on the blog, and honestly I was missing the idea of writing and sharing my experiences or knowledge about Deutsch Akademie, German language or any other subject.

Last Thursday, I had my last class for the A2.2. module, in Deutsch Akademie. And on Monday… (not a surprise) I am starting B1.1. module. I am happy to be able to follow a new module, it will be even an intense one, while I will have classes from Monday to Friday, but I will keep you updated about it.

Now, because in my previous posts I was sharing only my experience regarding Deutsch Akademie, and can be interpreted as a subjective opinion, in this post I want to share with you another opinion of one of my colleagues.

It will be anonymously, but I can say that she is a beautiful & smart young girl from USA. She is doing her studies here, but also as many of us, wants to learn German and Deutsch Akademie was her choice.

1. Warum haben Sie die D.A. gewählt?

I arrived in Vienna with a month to dedicate to learning German before my master’s degree courses began at Uni Wien. Deutsch Akademie had the intensive course that was perfect for me, since it started early September, had small class sizes, and was relatively inexpensive.

2. Wie waren ihre Erfahrungen mit der D.A.?

I was discouraged during the first week and wanted to quit D.A. because I was frustrated. I couldn’t understand most of what my teacher was saying in German and wished she would just explain things in English. However, I’m glad that I stuck with it. The all-German approach helped me get used to the way the language sounds. Also, I met a lot of wonderful people of different backgrounds in the class. They are supportive and fun. Now I wake up every morning excited to go to D.A. and learn German!

3. Möchten Sie die D.A. empfehlen?

Yes, of course! I really think the teaching method is effective. I highly recommend the teacher Andrea. She is so nice and supportive, and makes you see that learning German is fun and, most importantly, possible!

4. Ein Wort für D.A.?

Spaß!

Hope she is more convincing than me, and you will try one of Deutsch Akademie classes if in need to learn German.

See you! 

If you are already a student in the Academy you already know the learning atmosphere and the environment. But, if you are new and in search of a good school where to learn German… than for sure you should take into consideration Deutsch Akademie. Why? I will not speak about the central location and good hours, but about the atmosphere :D.

Well, all there classes are small, but most important, at the end of one course you will have the feeling that you’ve made new friends, embraced new cultures and learnt German.

I asked my colleagues to describe their experience with Deutsch Akademie in one single word, and here it is what I’ve got. I find it really cool that are so many different good opinions and words, in this way you can make a very clear impression about how your experience here will be like and know what to expect for.

I totally agree with all this words, and I find Deutsch Akademie the perfect place for learning a new language!

As is the end of the month, there is also the end of our classes. Usually, Deutsch Akademie classes start at the beginning of each month so the ending of the month coincides with the one of the class.

I still cannot believe another month is gone, and I am already finishing the A2.1. course. This course was a little bit different, in the first week, we had a teacher and the other three weeks another one. There was no problem with that, while both of them are really nice persons, with different teaches approaches but positive in work and mind.

We made some plans for our last day. In the first part of the day, we are going to have a normal class, with some recap and a small test, and in the second part, we will have a picnic in Burggarten.

Even though we don’t receive grades, and I am confident that I am going to do well at our test, I do have some emotions and feel a little bit stressed. I’d wished this day had some more hours, so I would be capable to repeat all the grammar rules learnt until now, I could review some verbs or nouns…. Hmmm, I dug all my older materials and I am going to make a short recap.

In the same time, I cannot wait the picnic, Burggarten in a really nice park and is a great idea for ending a level with some spare time in nature.

How do you prepare for your test? Or, how is going to be your last day?

Deutsch Akademie offers a wide range of activities which help you learn German more easily.

They are offering a free online course where you can find lots of exercises for every level. Here, they also have some online lessons with audio training.

Deutsch Akademie is organizing each month a Stammtisch, an evening out with all their students. Lots of creative games are prepared by the team. And, as a participant, you can win some interesting and useful prizes.

While Deutsch Akademie is offering some alternatives for learning German. Another, very used app, which can be used by you as an individual, or you can follow your friends is… Duolingo. It is a free language learning that includes a language-learning website and app, as well as a digital language proficiency assessment exam. I used Doulingo for a while, but I stopped. I intend to use it again, and maybe we can compete together. My name is IvonaCostan.

There are so many alternatives for learning a language online, it is quite difficult to use or fallow all of them. My advice would be to choose one which fits you best, and then keep working with that when you have some spare time.

For sure it is better to speak German every time you have the occasion, but most importantly with people which have a high level of Deutsch knowledge.

Taking a course in Deutsch Akademie is a good decision. While we are working in small classes, in 3 hours, all the people have the possibility of speaking with each under the supervision of a teacher.

What methods do you use for learning German by yourself? Do you have a favorite program or app?

I have not hidden sympathy for the Obamas.  I follow them on facebook, instagram, twitter and where I can. But nope, not yet stalker :P.

They are charismatic, smart, and they are making good PR. I will not comment their political decisions and actions, because I consider there are people more advised to tell something about his eight years activity in the oval office.

On 11 August 2016 the US president gives his summer playlist tweet, daytime and nighttime.

How do I listen to music all the time and all the while looking constantly new songs or old, but I conquer, I recognized it was a moment only good to (re) find some music to listen to in the days ahead.

I started with the first song in daytime playlist, second and I said I could make a playlist. I arrived at nighttime and I thought I could make a playlist. Or I could have one, consisting of two.

The President Summer playlist for daytime consists of:

1. LoveHate Thing– Wale
2. Smooth Sailin‘– Leon Bridges
3. Elevator Operator– Courtney Barnett
4. Home – Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros
5. Many the Miles– Sara Bareilles
6. Tightrope – Janelle Monáe
7. Classic Man – Jidenna
8. So Ambitious – Jay Z feat. Pharrell
9. Me Gustas Tu– Manu Chao
10. Forever Begins– Common
11. The Man– Aloe Blacc
12. As We Enter– Nas & Damian „Jr. Gong“ Marley
13. Sinnerman – Nina Simone
14. U Got the Look– Prince
15. Rock Steady– Aretha Franklin
16. Good Vibrations– Beach Boys
17. Don’t Owe You A Thang– Gary Clark Jr.
18. Man Like That– Gin Wigmore
19. II B.S. (edit)– Charles Mingus

 And the nighttime one consists of:

1. If I Have My Way– Chrisette Michele
2. Espera – Esperanza Spalding
3. Tell It Like It Is– Aaron Neville
4. Alright – Ledisi
5. Trapped By A Thing Called Love– Denise LaSalle
6. Lady – D’Angelo
7. So Very Hard to Go– Tower of Power
8. Midnight Sun– Carmen McCrae
9. Cucurrucucú Paloma – Caetano Veloso
10. Green Aphrodisiac – Corinne Bailey Rae
11. I’ll Be There for You / You’re All I Need– Mary J. Blige / Method Man
12. Lover Man– Billie Holiday
13. Criminal – Fiona Apple
14. Acid Rain– Chance the Rapper
15. My Funny Valentine – Miles Davis
16. Do You Feel Me – Anthony Hamilton
17. I Get Lonely– Janet Jackson
18. Lean In– Lizz Wright
19. All Day Music– War
20. Say Yes– Floetry

So, give them a try and maybe you will find something you like. You can consider that the playlist is made by one of the most famous and powerful man on Earth.  All the songs are easy to find on YouTube or other music channels, but in the same time, White House uses Spotify to share some of the member’s playlists.

Listen some good music and gain power for some German vocabulary or grammar rules!

Photo credits to WhiteHouse.Gov