learning the language

Coming to Austria and having to learn German is very difficult for me. I have never been the one that is good at learning other languages...i was awful at French. But I’m so driven to learn German that I’m going to do anything in my power to be able to carry on a conversation. I’m sure i will eventually be able to because I’m surrounded by it every day, but i want to learn in the first couple months so I’m not always saying "ich bin emily" and smiling and saying "ja" when i don’t understand someone.

#1. Know some of the language before getting to the host country...(my mistake)

#2. I’m reading lots of children books...yes you may think I’m too old for that....but trust me i opened the first page and was already lost and i have learned a lot from them already

#3. Going out everywhere with my host family...my host family teaches me a lot when we are out. My host mom will speak to me in High German than translate it to English and point to things to help me know the words.

#4. I’m getting a tutor! My host mom’s friend is studying German and English so she offered to help me...I’m not going to deny that offer

#5 learning the swear words...you never know when you are going to ask someone to say a word and they make you swear at someone instead...its smart to know these things.

#6 and last but not least i try to speak in German always...even if it’s just the little words i know it’s helping a lot

....i think if other exchange students that dont know there host language either this things really do help.

Thank god i have a good host family !!

Wish me luck. xo