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News @ speakeasy language school
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
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! :-)
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!
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).
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!
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.
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!
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!
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!
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
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.
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.
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
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 :)
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!
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.
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 :
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
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
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.
(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!
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!
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!
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
We've just received some lovely colourful speakeasy stickers. Feel free to drop by at the school jetzt. Echt jetzt!
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!
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)
What a big crowd yesterday, thank you for the cosy evening!
We are looking forward to the next one.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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!
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.
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!
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!
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!
The next speakeasy Stammtisch is taking place on Thursday, 27.04 at Himmelreich, starting at 19:30. Looking forward to seeing you there!
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.
The school is closed on 05.06.2017 due to it being a holiday.
