News @ speakeasy language school
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!
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!“
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.
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 …
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.
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!
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
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!
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
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
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 :)
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!
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!
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.
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
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.
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!
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
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.
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!
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.
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!
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
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!
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
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! 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.
