News @ speakeasy language school
Student success story! - 09.04.2021
I personally prefer classroom teaching to online classes. But then I came across the Speakeasy online classes and decided to give it a try. I must say the staff are both very flexible and always helpful. During my courses, the teacher (Dijana) was great! She provided us with lots of learning materials, encouraged us to perform better and always gave her best. I am fully satisfied with Speakeasy and will not switch to another institution in any way. Thank you for the great courses!
Good news! - 26.03.2021
We are in the process of developing lots of extra materials so that you can learn even more while you’re at home. The materials will explain important grammar rules with clear examples, and will include many extra exercises with the answers so that you can self-mark your work.
From April, we will make the materials for beginners available in the speakeasy Online Library. More information will follow.
It is a turbulent time for us all, but we hope that with our virtual lessons, we can bring you some interesting moments while you’re all at home. Stay healthy and hopefully we will see you at school soon!
New Faces - 15.03.2021
We are very happy to introduce our new colleague Alessia.
"I studied graphic design in Verona and Rome, but that couldn't keep me quiet in Italy. Languages, foreign cultures and art forms from all over the world have always fascinated me: and which city would be better than Berlin? My Erasmus project brought me here. I'm working on the design of several speakeasy contents and help with the administration. If you meet me at speakeasy, don't speak to me: I could chat with you about anything for ages."
Check out our new sign in reception! - 27.02.2021
A colourful reminder that speakeasy always has been and always will be an inclusive school.
We welcome students of all kinds, stand against discrimination and proudly support the LGBTQ+ community.
Have a great weekend and we will see you next week for the start of our March courses.
March Update - 12.02.2021
Dear speakeasies,
We hope that you are all looking forward to your March courses!
As you may already know the German authorities have announced that the lockdown will again be extended until the 7th of March. We would like to take a minute to inform our students and exam participants on what that means for them.
Online courses: There will be no changes to Online courses now or after the lockdown is lifted.
Physical courses in March: All of our courses with physical attendance will take place online until at least March 7th.
We expect the physical courses to return to the school mid to late March. We will inform you as soon as possible.
Telc exams: All telc exams will take place as planned and will not be effected.
We would like to truly thank all of you for your continued support throughout this trying time. We hope that you all manage to stay healthy and positive through yet another lockdown extension and cannot wait until we can see many of you in person!
For any questions, you are always welcome to contact us at info@speakeasy.berlin
Teacher Spotlight: Ralph - 22.01.2021
Born in Frankfurt and at home in the world. As a Frankfurt boy, I naturally worked at a bank and ended up in the teaching German as a foreign language field and decided to stay. I have been teaching German as a foreign language for more than 15 years now and I still enjoy showing people a language.
In my courses I also learn just as much about other cultures and people.
I speak and learn English and Spanish, as it is a life project to learn a foreign language.
Movies, series, photography and traveling are my hobbies. I love nature and especially the sea. Someday I will realize my dream to live by the sea with my family.
News about January courses and exams - 08.01.2021
Hello Speakeasies and happy new year!
We are very pleased to see our new and returning students in our January courses.
As You are certainly already aware the current lockdown has been extended until January 31st, 2021. We would like to explain how the extended lockdown will affect your courses at speakeasy:
Telc exams
- All telc exams will take place as planned without disruption.
Online courses
There will be no changes to Online courses now or in the future. These shall continue running as normal without interruption.
Physical courses in January
In order to comply with the current lockdown regulations, our current course planning for January is as follows:
- All courses that were originally planned to take place with physical attendance will continue online until January 31st.
Just like many of you, we are very much looking forward to welcoming the physical classes back at the school. Due to the current regulations this is not yet possible, and we kindly ask for understanding and patience at this time.
as soon as we know more, we will be sure to inform you as well!
Have a wonderful weekend and stay healthy!
Merry Christmas!!! - 19.12.2020
Although the school is quiet without our students the festive spirit is strong with our staff . We want to wish everyone a very merry Christmas and a much better 2021!!!
All telc examinations till January 2021 to take place normally, classes only online till Jan. 10th - 16.12.2020
Dear speakeasies, as you probably know, Germany entered into a new hard lockdown today, 16.12.2020. After consultation with the Berlin Senate Administration, we are happy to inform you that your telc exams on December 18th and 19th as well as all examination dates in January 2021 will take place as planned!
Please make sure to bring your mask and to abide strictly by the hygiene rules. More information on our hygiene concept is available on our website.
Good luck with your exam!
For those who have already registered or are planning to register for courses in January, we would like to assure you that we aim to continue offering the high-quality language course you have come to expect. Our current planning for January, based on the current lockdown announcement, is as follows:
- The first week of Physical courses (04.01.2021 to 08.01.2021) will take place online.
- Starting the second week (11.01.2021) we will resume offering Physical classes in the school as long as there are no further lockdown announcements which prevent this.
We ask you to bear with us during this lockdown period and to be assured that as soon as we are allowed to reopen the school and have students return in-person, Physical classes will also resume as per usual.
With a huge amount of gratitude from the entire speakeasy team, we would like to say, thank you for your continued support and wish you a happy holiday season!
Your speakeasy team
New Faces - 27.11.2020
"Hi, my name is Ben, and I grew up in England. I studied German and Italian at Durham University, living in Kiel and Milan on my year abroad. After graduating, I managed to overcome the modern-day barriers of Brexit and COVID-19 to move to Berlin. You can find me at the front desk at speakeasy and I’ll be happy to help with any questions!"
Online tutoring - 14.11.2020
Hello Speakeasies, we are really happy to announce that we will soon be offering free Online Tutoring Service or " drop in sessions" for our students.
The sessions will take place online using zoom and are designed for students who have specific questions regarding difficult grammar topics or homework and have them answered by a live teacher. If ,for example, a student misses a class they can also attend this Online tutoring session to ask questions related to the content they missed.
Students need to come prepared. They need to be able to ask a very specific question about a specific topic, otherwise, the teacher will not be able to answer. Please therefore log onto the speakeasy Library beforehand and do the related homework.
The sessions will be held on
Tuesday and Wednesday at 17:00 – 19:00 on Zoom.
Students will receive a login link in their course information emails. You can also find more information on our website.
Lockdown update - 29.10.2020
Hello Speakeasies,
some of you have been asking us what our status is in light of the new COVID regulations.
We are making every effort to keep the school open as the lockdown measures do not currently require us to close.
We want to reassure all students that we have a robust hygiene concept at the school which has already been approved by the Berlin senate. This was even before we installed the mobile air filters in the classrooms, which offer our students an additional layer of security.
Each federal state in Germany has the right to make their own decisions regarding the lockdown and we are waiting for more information on the details for Berlin.
In the event that the school needs to close we have a thorough plan already in place and will inform all students of any developments as soon as we have them.
Have a great day and stay healthy,
Your speakeasy team.
New anti-virus measures at the school - 20.10.2020
Hello Speakeasies We have some new important information regarding anti-virus measures here at the school.
The following additional preventative measures have also been implemented to further ensure the safety of our students:
1. A special anti-germ foil has been installed on all school door handles. This special foil protects contact surfaces against bacteria and viruses such as Covid or influenza with 99.98% efficiency.
2. There was a study which found that commercial air filters in a classroom can significantly reduce the aerosol virus load by as much as 90% in a half hour. Given the success of this study, all classrooms have been outfitted with these particular air filters. It is important to note that while these air filters should help to reduce the amount of aerosol during class, and therefore also reduce the risk of transmission, it is not a substitute for regularly opening the windows and ventilating the school. Therefore, speakeasy will also continue the practice of school ventilation.
3. Constantly ventilating the classrooms does result in the school being colder than usual. To combat this and maintain a comfortable learning environment, the classrooms have been outfitted with overhead heatlamps. It is still recommended that students continue to dress warmly throughout the winter months.
New Faces - 09.10.2020
Hi, I’m Daria! I study History and German at King’s College London. As part of my year abroad, I’m doing a three-month internship here at Speakeasy Berlin. I’m excited to help out around the school and take part in some German classes myself. On the weekends I’ll be spending my time visiting as many museums and ice rinks as possible!
Tomorrow Bank @ speakeasy - 25.09.2020
Hello speakeasies! We are very excited to announce that we have now formed a partnership with Tomorrow Bank. A sustainable and ethical bank for everyone. Open a free account using the code “speakeasy” and receive 10€ off your next class with us.
https://www.tomorrow.one/en-de/about
Speakeasy Social - 19.09.2020
Here is a picture from this week's "Stammtisch". It was a really nice opportunity for our students to get to know each other better, enjoy a drink and practice their speaking skills in a relaxed atmosphere. The next "Stammtish" will be held on October 14th and we would love to see you there.
Student success story! - 11.09.2020
This is Ken from the USA. He has enjoyed his course at speakeasy so much he wants to share his experience with you.
Did you enjoy learning with us and have your own success story you would like to share? if so then wirte us a short email or speak to our team at the front desk. If we publish it we might even give you a discount on your next course.
"Soon after arriving in Germany, I signed up for a super-intensive B2-level online German course with Speakeasy. My ability to speak German has improved dramatically over the last two months, thanks to the Speakeasy courses. All of my friends and family in Trier, where I now live, have noticed that my ability to speak German is rapidly increasing with each passing week. The teachers at Speakeasy are friendly, helpful, patient, and pleasant to work with. As a recently retired college professor from the US who has long used digital media in my teaching--including Zoom--I was impressed with how effectively my Speakeasy teachers used Zoom's capabilities to create lively and learning-centered language classes. For me, the online setting is as good as being in a physical classroom. I highly recommend Speakeasy for learning German!"
New 3 week Intensive courses - 29.08.2020
Is your level not available as an intensive class and you do not want to take evening classes?
We got you covered! Due to popular demand we are happy to announce that we are opening new 3 week online intensive evening courses starting 07/09 for the levels B1.1, B2.1 and C1.
All classes will take place from 09:00-11:45 in the morning and are bookable now!
Speakeasy regular's table - 14.08.2020
Hello Speakeasies! after the big success of out first summer "Stammtisch" we are super excited to invite you to our next event taking place on the 19th of August at Republik Berlin, starting time 20.30. You can sign up by clicking the link below. We'd love to see you there!
https://forms.gle/Ho7gfz3VuamK6Q49A
Speakeasy regular's table - 25.07.2020
We held our first social event of the summer last week at the bar Freischwimmer. It was an awesome evening with some really great people. Our next event will be held on the 19th of August. We will announce the details closer to the time. We can't wait to see you all there!
Student success story! - 10.07.2020
This is Larissa, she really enjoyed her experience learning with speakeasy and has written us a testimonial.
Did you enjoy learning with us and have your own success story you would like to share? if so then wirte us a short email or speak to our team at the front desk. If we publish it we might even give you a discount on your next course.
"I have been learning German at Speakeasy Berlin for the past 3 months and it was the best choice, hands down. Since the beginning they have been efficient and transparent, including the students on the decision making process of adaptations due to Corona.
The school has a welcoming and cozy atmosphere, the teachers are fun and keep us motivated, which sounds tacky, but has a great impact on the learning process. The fast-paced approach of the super-intensive course is ideal for those who have the time and energy, and are willing to dedicate themselves to cracking this riddle that is the German language!“
Workshops and events - 03.07.2020
We would like to introduce our new workshops and events page at speakeasy. Here You will find all kinds of information about our upcoming events and free extra workshops for students.
We will be offering free grammar workshops for our existing students as well as sessions giving practical advice on life here in Berlin, with topics such as finding flats and much more. Click here to visit the page now.
Teacher Spotlight: Rebecca - 19.06.2020
Um das speakeasy-Team näher kennenzulernen, starten wir die neue Rubrik „Teacher Spotlight“. Den Anfang macht unsere tolle Lehrerin Rebbecca.
Hallöle! Ich will euch in Berlin herzlich willkommen heißen. Ausgeschlüpft bin ich im Schwabenländle. Ich habe Spanisch und Deutsch in Tübingen studiert und rund um den Globus unterrichtet. Gelebt habe ich in Spanien und Paraguay. Weil ich gerne in die Welt der Bücher eintauche, durfte ich mich zudem auf Deutsche Literatur spezialisieren, mich in Buchverlagen und auf der Theaterbühne engagieren. Worten Flügel zu verleihen ist meine Leidenschaft. Mit Kopf, Herz und Hand. Ich liebe es, wenn Menschen sich auf der Reise durch die Wortwelt auf Augenhöhe begegnen. Der, die, das? Wer, wie, was? Wieso, weshalb, warum …? Wer nicht spricht, bleibt stumm …
New Faces - 05.06.2020
We are very happy to introduce Ana our new staff member here at speakeasy. She will be working with us on the front desk as a student service agent. Ana is from Brazil and has lived in Berlin for 3 years. She speaks English, German and Portuguese and is happy to help you with any questions you have regarding your course or exam.
Courses and exams in January - 22.05.2020
Hello Speakeasies and happy new year!
We are very pleased to see our new and returning students in our January courses.
As You are certainly already aware the current lockdown has been extended until January 31st, 2021. We would like to explain how the extended lockdown will affect your courses at speakeasy:
Telc exams
- All telc exams will take place as planned without disruption.
Online courses
There will be no changes to Online courses now or in the future. These shall continue running as normal without interruption.
Physical courses in January
In order to comply with the current lockdown regulations, our current course planning for January is as follows:
- All courses that were originally planned to take place with physical attendance will continue online until January 31st.
Just like many of you, we are very much looking forward to welcoming the physical classes back at the school. Due to the current regulations this is not yet possible, and we kindly ask for understanding and patience at this time.
as soon as we know more, we will be sure to inform you as well!
Have a wonderful weekend and stay healthy!
We are open again for classes in June! - 22.05.2020
We are very excited to be opening our doors again for physical classes in June!
Don’t worry if you want to continue studying with us online as we will continue to offer our classes in both physical and online format for the foreseeable future.
All our classes are now bookable on our website and spaces are filling up, so move quick!
To ensure the safety of our students, teachers and staff while at the school we have developed our own hygiene concept. You can find the full information on our website.
We are looking forward to having all of you back either in person or digitally!
telc exams are back in May! - 07.05.2020
Dear Speakeasies, our telc exams are back in May 2020!
We are happy to announce we have lots of new German telc exam dates coming up this month for almost every level.
Please use the website to sign up, section "telc exams".
A1 telc exam on 29/05
B1 telc exam on 22/05, 23/05, 29/05 and 30/05
B2 telc exam on 22/05, 23/05, 29/05 and 30/05
C1 telc exam on 29/05
C1 telc Hochschule exam on 22/05, 23/05, 29/05 and 30/05
New telc exam days in May announced! - 24.04.2020
Hello speakeasies,
To help you catch up with the telc exams you couldn’t take In April we have organised more in May with some extra Saturday exams over the upcoming months (23/05 - 20/06 – 25/07).
We are also now offering the fast track correction option (Eilkorrektur) on the B1 and B2 exams.
All exams at levels B1, B2 and C1 come with a complimentary online prep course for all attendees.
There are only limited seats on each exam date so sign up quickly to reserve yours!
May classes and other news - 17.04.2020
Hello speakeasies!
We just wanted to take some time to update you on what you can expect in the upcoming months. All students currently enrolled on our courses will receive an email with more detailed information but here are the basics.
1. We want to say a big THANKYOU! for your continued solidarity and support in these testing times.
2. We promise that every single one of you has the option whether to attend your course online or to attend the physical class in the months to come. Nobody will be forced to come to the school in person if they do not wish to do so!
3. All our discount promotions on the website are extended until the 1st of May, 2020.
4. Most of our April classes finish on April 24th. The week directly after that will be free of classes. The May classes will all begin again on May 4th, 2020.
5. We expect classrooms will reopen in May and that May telc exams will be offered as normal, however please keep in mind that the situation is changeable and any new information will be communicated to students as and when we receive it.
6. Our school has always had a strong ethos of e-learning and we are committed to continue to offer high quality online courses even after the corona crisis. We encourage all prospective students to sign up for their online classes to take place in 2020 or 2021.
Look after yourself and each other (and don’t forget to do your homework!)
From your speakeasy team
Courses only online from March 17th - 16.03.2020
Dear speakeasies,
due to the current situation with Covid-19 in Berlin, all our courses will continue exclusively online from tomorrow on (March 17th). This is due to the new regulations announced by our federal government today at 6pm which order us to close down. Your health and the health of our speakeasy staff is very important to us, so we want to try our best to protect it. Our speakeasy classrooms will be closed for lessons from tomorrow on, so please do not come to the school. Of course, you can still contact us via email if you have any questions.
Let’s make the best out of this unprecedented situation together! We are looking to seeing you online
Important update on Covid-19 - 14.03.2020
Dear speakeasies,
As you probably heard from the news the state of Berlin will be closing down all general schools temporarily. Although this preventive measure does not affect private language schools for adults like speakeasy, many of you either cannot come to the school or do not wish to do so. For this reason:
By mid of next week we will be offering all students who cannot be present at the school the option to participate in their classes over the internet on our virtual classroom (e-learning platform).
The school staff and all teachers are working on the weekend to make sure that everyone is prepared for this transition.
All students will receive an email with login information for their respective class very soon.
Telc language exams are not affected by this and will take place normally.
Take care :)
Discount time! - 06.03.2020
It is discount time again! If you sign up before the 20th of March, you can get an ‘Early Bird’ discount for your April course! The discount applies for all monthly registrations made in our office or online!
Book your course now and enjoy the discount! We are looking forward to seeing you!
New 3-week courses start next week! - 06.03.2020
Liebe speakeasies, we have 5 new classes coming up next week – 2 intensive courses for complete beginners, two evening classes for complete beginners and one preparation course for those who are taking the C1 Hochschule exams. You can register in person at Warschauer Strasse 36 or by visiting our website at www.speakeasy.berlin . Looking forward to seeing you all!
Telc dates for March - 13.02.2020
Are you looking for an official certificate that will prove your level in the German language?
Sign up now for a telc exam at speakeasy here: https://www.speakeasysprachzeug.de/en/register !
The next available dates for the exams are the following:
13.03.2020 (for B1, B2, C1 Hochschule)
20.03.2029 (C1 HS)
27.03.2020 (A1, B1, B2, C1, C1 Hochschule)
And don’t forget… we have an online preparation course available for all our telc participants who are taking the B1, B2 and C1 exams. This course is already included in your exam booking.
Recommend speakeasy Berlin to your friends! - 06.02.2020
Enjoy a discount for your next registration by referring a friend to the school! If they sign up for a course at our German language school, both of you have a 10 EUR discount! All you have to do is send us an email with your friend’s name and we will make sure to apply the discount to the both of you!
Contact us at info@speakeasy.berlin or in person at Warschauer Str. 36
When you don't know where to start, speakeasy has you covered! - 30.01.2020
Have you already learned a little bit of German at school or you've been in Germany a while and you've managed to pick up some key phrase, but you don’t know your exact level? That's why we offer a language placement test that will tell you what your current level is, as well as which level we recommend that you sign up for! Find the test on our website here.
If you still feel unsure about your level feel free to get in touch or swing past the school during our opening hours and we can help you determine your level.
Our opening hours are from Monday to Thursday 09:00 – 20:30 & Friday from 09:00 to 18:00.
Telc dates for February - 23.01.2020
Are you looking for an official certificate that will prove your level in the German language?
Sign up now for a telc exam at speakeasy here!
The next available dates for the exams are the following:
14.02.2020 (for B1, B2, C1 HS)
21.02.2029 (C1 HS)
28.02.2020 (A1, B1, B2, C1, C1 HS)
And don’t forget… we have an online preparation course available for all our telc participants who are taking the B1, B2 and C1 exams. You can take part in this course completely free of charge!
Why register for an intensive German course? - 16.01.2020
Many of you are probably considering signing up for a German intensive course, you are however still unsure about whether speakeasy is the right school for you.
Here are some of the benefits you will enjoy at our school: Our intensive class offers a fast and efficient way to take your German to the next level and master a language level (A1, A2, B1) in just two months! speakeasy has a natural and immersive learning method with proven results and our courses run at different times during the day, so you can choose which time suits you best! All our classes have small groups, allowing everyone to get the most practical experience from their language training. Book your spot now at speakeasy.berlin
Speakeasy Green Energy - 09.01.2020
We are very thrilled to introduce you to our partner, Lition!
Lition is a Berlin based energy provider that connects consumers directly with independent renewable energy producers. As a Lition member you can select your own green power plant on their digital marketplace. What makes this tariff so special?
The tariff that Speakeasy students get is the most price competitive energy tariff in all of Germany. It is the most flexible contract as you can get out every month. On top of that we offer a 1-year price guarantee on the energy price. That is the best deal out there. Also you get 100% green energy from independent producers, which reduces your electricity carbon footprint by 95%. And we help you out with your tuition fees, we put a 30€ voucher on top.
For more information on how to sign-up with Lition, visit https://lition.de/speakeasy.
speakeasy's Christmas schedule - 20.12.2019
The speakeasy team wishes you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
The next course month will start on January 6th – however, our office will reopen on January 2nd. During the Christmas break, you can still send us your questions via email, at info@speakeasy.berlin.
Celebrate, have fun, and see you all next year!
English courses - 05.12.2019
speakeasy's English evening classes offer you the chance to improve your English with the help of experienced native-speaker teachers. Whether you have elementary, intermediate or advanced knowledge of English, you can join speakeasy for English Evening Classes in a time schedule that is ideal for those with a busy daytime schedule. We also offer a unique opportunity to book a set of 3 months of classes at a premium price. For more information don’t hesitate to contact us either in person at Warschauer Straße 36, or via email at info@speakeasy.berlin.
New 3-week courses start on Monday! - 28.11.2019
Liebe speakeasies, we have 4 new classes coming up this Monday (the 2nd of December) - 3 classes for complete beginners and one preparation course for those who are taking the C1 Hochschule exams. You can register by coming to our office at Warschauer Strasse 36 or by simply visiting our website at speakeasy.berlin. Looking forward to seeing you all!
speakeasy’s events - 21.11.2019
Did you know about the speakeasy events? Every month, on the third Thursday of the course month, we go out in order to explore Berlin’s culture and lifestyle. Together, we go to museums, galleries, bars and many more cool places. We believe that our gatherings create the perfect opportunity for you to meet each other and explore Berlin along the way. Thank you all for joining us every month and we are looking forward to spending more time with you
NEW online preparation course available for our telc participants - 14.11.2019
We are very excited to announce that we have a brand-new online preparation course available for our telc participants. You can take part in this course completely free of charge!! A few days before your exam date we will send you an email with your login information. From there you can take part in an e-learning class that will introduce you to the different parts of the exam. You will also learn useful strategies and practise in an online classroom. You can ask us more about this new free service when registering at the front office!
speakeasy's genderless toilets - 07.11.2019
We did not only get bigger, but we are also getting more inclusive! We are very happy to introduce you to our new Unisex (or genderless) toilets, free for everyone to use. speakeasy always celebrates diversity and is a safe space for everyone to be themselves
New course month at speakeasy - 31.10.2019
Our new course month has started! A big welcome to all the speakeasies - we are very happy for one more month with you. We are also very excited to welcome you to our new floor! From now on the classes are taking place on the 2nd and 5th floor in Warschauer Straße 36. And for those of you who are still interested in starting a new course with us… hurry! There are still a few spots left! You can book your course online on our website (speakeasy.berlin) or in person at the front desk!
Speakeasy is getting bigger! - 17.10.2019
Speakeasy is getting bigger! Starting from our course month in November, we are going to be in Warschauer Straße 36 on the second floor, as always, AND on the fifth floor! We are going to say goodbye to our beloved Boxhagener Straße location and we are ready to welcome you in our new nicely decorated classrooms. PS: You can still find or office on the second floor
New pop culture post cards! - 10.10.2019
Wanna see something cool? Check out our new post cards inspired by everyone's favorite TV shows! You can find them at the Pop Culture Card Station next to the front desk - together with useful materials for mastering your German, such as declension charts, stickers in German, and posters all around the school with German vocabulary. You can also find funny post cards, a city guide for Berlin's coolest spots, and the most recent copy of the bilingual queer magazine, Siegessäule. Grab your card now! :-)
The National Day of Germany - 02.10.2019
Tomorrow we celebrate German Unity Day! This means our school is closed for tomorrow. For all of you who signed up for an intensive or super intensive course, we offer a make-up class on October 11th. You can find our great selection of interesting topics at the notice board of the school – just write your name on the list there to save your spot!
Weekend in Dresden - 26.09.2019
Dresden is one of the most beautiful German cities; it lies on the Elbe river and its old town is built alongside the river. The city has undergone significant reconstruction in recent years, which helped heal the wounds left by the bombing of Dresden in 1945 - a historical event that inspired many art pieces, among them Kurt Vonnegut's novel Slaughterhouse Five. The city center is compact, and it can be easily explored in a few hours. Highly recommended attractions include the Dresden Frauenkirche, the Dresden Royal Palace and Museums, the Zwinger Palace and the Brühl's Terrace. Bonus attractions include The German Hygiene Museum (a museum dedicated to medicine and medicine practices) and the Pillnitz Palace and Gardens (a great example of baroque architecture).
German traditional food: Breakfast edition - 19.09.2019
In most European countries breakfast is the most important meal of the day. A typical German breakfast starts off with a coffee (Kaffee) or tea (Tee) and is followed by, of course, bread! The bread (Brot) or the bread rolls (Brötchen) are usually accompanied by homemade marmelade (hausgemachte Marmelade), butter (Butter), cheese (Käse) and meat (Fleisch). A traditional German breakfast also includes eggs (Eier), müsli (Müsli), joghurt (Joghurt), fruits (Obst) and quark (Quark).
What is a typical breakfast meal in your country? Leave us a comment on FB or IG!
speakeasy featured in prontopro! - 13.09.2019
Matthew, our favourite "Germanized" Londoner, got interviewed by www.prontopro.de and he reflected upon his experience as an English teacher at speakeasy.
He discussed his general impression of the school as a place that accepts, respects and welcomes everyone. Matthew, as all our teachers, is specialized, he brings valuable experience from the business world with him and, therefore, he is well equipped to teach you.
Our speakeasy teachers, with a lot of commitment and motivation, can ensure you that learning can not only be easier, but also fun, if you have the right teachers. And we do!
Thank you, Matthew! You can find the complete interview here.
German movies - 12.09.2019
From Goodbye Lenin to the Elephant Man, Germany has been the mother country for many films that were praised by audiences and critics alike. Film releases such as Run Lola Run (by Tom Tykwer), Goodbye Lenin! (by Wolfgang Becker), Head-On (by Fatih Akin) and The Lives of Others (by Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck) achieved popular success, while others, such as Paris, Texas (by Wim Wenders), Metropolis (by Fritz lang), Das Weiße Band (by Michael Haneke), and The Marriage of Maria Braun (by Reiner Werner Fassbinder) belong in the pantheon of the greatest films in the history of cinema. If you are a cinephile, or just curious to learn more about German culture, then you should check them out. It will also be a great practice for your German language skills!
What is your favourite German movie? Share your recommendations with us on Facebook or IG!
Fleamarkets in Berlin - 05.09.2019
Berlin is famous for its flea market culture which is an integral part of the locals' weekend routine. If you are looking for bargains, second-hand gems, or antiques you can find many fleamarkets in every corner. Whether it's a coffee table, a vintage dress, or a painting that you are looking for, you'll definitely find something at the following markets, even if it’s not what you originally came for:
- Nowkoelln Flowmarkt (from March 2019 every 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month),
- Antique and book market at Bodemuseum (Saturday, Sunday and at holidays between 11am-5pm),
- Kreuzberg Flowmarkt (from March to October every 2nd and 4th Sunday from 10am to 5pm),
- Flea market at Boxhagener Platz (every Sunday from 10am to 6pm)
- and of course, Mauerpark (every Sunday from 10am to 6pm) – don’t miss out on the Karaoke!
Famous books by German authors - 29.08.2019
German is a very hard language, but after you have mastered it you can appreciate the logic and structure behind it. German literature is famous worldwide for giving a better understanding of the human condition and is definitely worth some of your time, especially if you are a bookworm. Below you can find some of the most treasured literary accomplishments written in the German language:
- Die Blechtrommel (The Tin Drum) by Günter Grass
- Der Tod in Venedig (Death in Venice) by Thomas Mann
- Das Parfum (Perfume) by Patrick Süskind
- Die Verwandlung (Metamorphosis) by Franz Kafka
- Berlin Alexanderplatz by Alfred Döblin
What is your favourite German book? Share your recommendations with us on Facebook!
Entrance free days at museums - 22.08.2019
Many Europeans cities offer, once per month or once per week, entrance free hours for the public. Luckily, Berlin is no exception to this. If you want to enjoy an evening at the city's museums without paying an entrance fee, then you should visit the following art spaces during their entrance free days: • Bröhan Museum: first Wednesday of the month, free guided tour at 5 pm • Ceramic Museum Berlin: last Monday of the month • Hamburger Bahnhof - Museum for Contemporary Art - Berlin: first Thursday of the month, 4 to 8 pm • KW Institute for Contemporary Art: every Thursday, 6 to 9 pm • Museum of Film and Television: every Thursday, 4 to 8 pm
Arts spaces in Berlin - 15.08.2019
Berlin is famous among many other things for its vibrant contemporary art scene. There are many spaces all around the city that are worth your time and support. If contemporary art is your thing then, by all means, don't skip any of the following art spaces: KW Institute for Contemporary Art, Urban Spree Galerie, Urban Nation: Museum for Urban Contemporary Art, Sammlung Boros and C/O Berlin. You can also find interesting contemporary art at the Berlinische Galerie and at the Hamburger Bahnhof Museum.
Day trips: Potsdam - 08.08.2019
There are many places around Berlin that you can visit on a daytrip. One of the most famous ones is Potsdam, a city so close to Berlin that you can even visit with the S-Bahn! Potsdam is one of the largest UNESCO World Heritage cities in Germany, with a long history of culture. It serves as an excellent choice for a relaxed day next to the lakes of the Havel, enjoying the gardens, parks and palaces of this historical German town.
Biking in Berlin - 01.08.2019
Berlin is the perfect city for those who prefer to move around by bike. It is, for the most part, completely flat and it has numerous lakes and sights close to cycling routes. The city also offers many places in which you can lock your bike, including the Hinterhof (your backyard). Some of the best cycling routes that you can try are the following: • From Hirschgarten to Brücke Alter Spreearm Loop, via Wald - Brücke • From Grünau to Brücke Alter Spreearm • From Biesenthal to Finowfurt • From Treptower Park to Am Teltowkanal
Course free week - 25.07.2019
Our course free week is just around the corner! The courses will start again on Monday 5th of August. Our office will remain open - so pop up if you have any questions. Our opening times are slightly different than usual: Mon – Thur: 09:00 – 20:00 and Friday 09:00 – 18:30. We will be happy to see you. Enjoy your week without courses and see you all soon :)
Urban gardening in Berlin - 18.07.2019
If you are interested in discovering more about food production and biodiversity, then you should definitely visit the Prinzessinnengärten, a great place in Berlin that sets an example for an urban lifestyle that takes into account climate protection. Prinzessinnengärten started as an experiment from the locals in order to discover more about a more sustainable living and It is a perfect example of an innovative way of co-existing in the city and adapting to the climate change. Make sure to check it out!
Learn German with podcasts - 11.07.2019
Podcasts are one of the most powerful learning tools and entertainment sources when it comes to language learning. So why not use them in order to improve your German? For example, the Coffee Break German is targeted to beginners, as each episode acts as a casual lesson through the basics of the German language. If you are an in the A2 to B1 level, then the Slow German-Podcast will give you the insights into German culture in short and slowly spoken episodes. Other podcasts that we highly recommend are the following: German Pod 101, Language Addicts, Warum Nicht and A Flavour of German.
New beginner A1.1 German courses - 05.07.2019
Liebe speakeasies, we are very happy to announce that for the month of July we are going to have three new beginner A1.1 German courses: * an evening course at 19:45 (starts on Tuesday 9th) * an intensive course at 12:00 (starts on Monday 15th) * an intensive course at 15:00 (starts on Monday 15th) To sign up please visit our website. Looking forward to welcoming you all! Have a lovely weekend :
Open air cinemas in Berlin - 04.07.2019
We are right in the middle of the open-air cinema season. From May until September you can enjoy a varied film programme, from cult movies to Hollywood blockbusters, in one of the famous or hidden open air locations. Some of our absolute favourites are the Freiluftkino Kreuzberg, Freiluftkino Friedrichshain, Freiluftkino Insel im Cassiopeia, Pompeji - Freiluftkino Ostkreuz - all of which are within walking distance from our school
speakeasy Stammtisch at Holzmarkt25 - 27.06.2019
Dear speakeasies, thank you all for coming to our event last week - it was absolutely great catching up with you. Here to many more events with the speakeasy gang! Additionally to our great events, we are also excited about the new course month that is just about to begin! You still have time to book the last available spots. See you all on Monday
Krumme Lanke - 20.06.2019
The summer has officially arrived in Berlin! What better than spending your day swimming and sunbathing at the beautiful Krumme Lanke? The lake is surrounded by a thick forest area and has several spots around it for those who want to enjoy the warm weather. It is very central to the city center and it is ideally for those who enjoy biking.
Lunchtime Concert with the Philharmonic - 13.06.2019
(Foto: Stefanie Loos)
If you want both a relaxing and interesting lunch break you should consider a visit to the (amazing) lunch concerts of the Philharmonic. The Lunchkonzerte (Lunchtime concert) takes place every Tuesday at 1 pm between September and the end of June. You can enjoy chamber music from Berlin's finest musicians with free admission! Each program is usually 40 - 50 minutes long and features members of the Berlin Philharmonic, scholars of its Karajan Academy, as well as instrumentalists from the Deutsche Symphonie-Orchester and the Staatskapelle Berlin along with students from Berlin’s music conservatories. It is ideal for those who love music and lunch breaks!
Karneval der Kulturen - 07.06.2019
If you want to spend three days full of music, dance, and international food then you certainly have to visit one of the most multicultural events in town, Berlin's Karneval der Kulturen. The festival is considered by many to be a yearly highlight in Berlin, as it combines everything from dance and music to street theatre and costumes. The Karneval der Kulturen is an open, inclusive and intercultural event where diversity is not only appreciated, but also celebrated. The festival starts this Friday 7th of June and lasts until the 10th of June. Have fun and see you all there!
One more reason to celebrate - 07.03.2019
Dear speakeasies,
Berlin recently became the first state in Germany to make March 8th, International Women’s Day, a public holiday. We hope you all enjoy the long weekend! Let's celebrate all the awesome women in our lives (including ourselves :) )
Happy Women's Day!
Berlin is lovely in summer! - 20.07.2018
From the 30.07. until the 05.08. there will be no classes at speakeasy – which gives you even more time to enjoy the heat, the lakes and the open air parties and concerts.
Our office remains open, so you’re welcome to drop by and say Hello
New stickers - 12.07.2018
We've just received some lovely colourful speakeasy stickers. Feel free to drop by at the school jetzt. Echt jetzt!
Extra telc exam dates - 22.05.2018
The deadline for applying to university is right around the corner, that's why we have added some more dates in June for you to take the telc C1 University exams. Good luck / viel Glück!
Everyday Life in the GDR - 19.04.2018
Join us for a free guided tour in English at the Museum in der Kulturbrauerei!
Go back in time and get deeper insights into everyday life In Communist East Germany.
Friday 27.04.2018 at 14:00Kn, aackstraße 97 10435 Berlin.
Please RSVP here or by writing your name on the notice board (next to the coffee machine)
Thank you! - 23.03.2018
What a big crowd yesterday, thank you for the cosy evening!
We are looking forward to the next one.
Urban Nation Museum for Urban Contemporary Art - 28.02.2018
Join us for a guided tour at the museum!
Friday 09.03.2018 at 14:00
Bülowstraße 7, 10783 Berlin
Please RSVP at the front desk
Please note that the tour is free of charge but the museum would really appreciate if you make a donation after the tour in order to support the museum and its projects.
Thank you! - 05.02.2018
A big thank you to the lovely speakeasies who joined our Stammtisch at fitcher´s vogel! It was a real pleasure getting to know you better and above all hearing your fascinating stories!
FROHES NEUES JAHR! - 02.01.2018
Dear speakeasies, we wish you all an amazing and lovely year!
Our courses are only starting on Monday but we are already at the office waiting for you guys to drop by.
Happy Holidays! - 22.12.2017
Looking forward to seeing everyone again in the New Year!
The school reception will reopen on January 2nd, the courses however begin one week later on January 8th.
Glühwein event - 04.12.2017
We are very happy to invite all of our students to our annual Glühwein event. Join us for some warm, sweet and uplifting wine.
Wednesday 13.12.2017 starting from 15:30, Warschauer Str. 36
Looking forward to seeing you here at the school!
speakeasy feutured on 'My Guide Berlin'! - 26.09.2017
My guide Berlin is a really cool portal that lists some of the most colourful attractions Berlin has to offer. Last week our school was listed there with a lovely review and even lovelier pictures of our new location a few steps away from the Warschauer Straße station.
Take a look at it here.
It’s official – we’ve moved! - 14.08.2017
speakeasy has now moved to a fantastic new location!
You will now find us at Warschauer Str 36, right opposite the U-Bahn Warschauer Str and 2 minutes from the S-Bahn.
Our new school has larger classrooms with more natural light, greater communal space and improved facilities.
We have had amazing feedback from our students so far. So come check out the new speakeasy soon!
New School Location! - 18.05.2017
Here’s a little peek at our new location – we’ll soon be moving to Warschauerstr., directly across from the U-Bahn station. It’ll be bigger, better and brighter – stay tuned for updates!
Stammtisch: May Biergarten Edition - 18.05.2017
The next speakeasy Stammtisch is taking place on Wednesday, 24 May at Jägerklause in the Biergarten, starting at 19:30. Looking forward to seeing you there!
Stammtisch - 21.04.2017
The next speakeasy Stammtisch is taking place on Thursday, 27.04 at Himmelreich, starting at 19:30. Looking forward to seeing you there!
Holidays and Course Duration in May - 21.04.2017
Due to the holidays on 01.05 and on 25.05.2017, our courses in May are running two days longer, and taking place from 02.05 through 31.05.2017.
Holiday in June - 21.04.2017
The school is closed on 05.06.2017 due to it being a holiday.
