Germany is the most populous of the European countries, and with its historical background, it’s no wonder it’s one of the top tourist destinations in the world. This course is aimed to give you the confidence to deal with everyday situations during your travel, e.g. booking accommodation, ordering meals, asking for directions or assistance, conversational skills for shopping etc. Some German customs or traditions, along with basic German grammar will be covered. This course can be used as a useful introduction for beginners.

Course Introduction:

First Steps & Greetings:

• Saying hello, goodbye, and introducing yourself
• Polite words: Please, thank you, sorry, yes, no
• The German alphabet and basic pronunciation rules

Getting Around:

• Buying tickets for trains, buses, and subways
• Asking “Where is...?” and understanding basic directions (left, right, straight)
• Reading signs (Entrance, Exit, Closed, Open)

Food & Dining:

• Reading a simple menu and naming key food items
• Ordering meals and drinks in a restaurant or cafe
• Asking for the bill and paying (cash or card)

Shopping & Money:

• Numbers, prices, and counting money
• Asking “How much does this cost?” and looking for sizes or colours
• Basic bargaining or asking for a receipt

Accommodation & Hotel:

• Checking in and out of a hotel
• Asking about amenities (Wi-Fi, breakfast, towels)
• Reporting a simple room problem (key doesn’t work, too loud)

Emergencies & Health:

• Finding a doctor, pharmacy, or police station
• Explaining basic pain or problems (“I feel sick”, “I lost my passport”)
• Useful emergency phrases and numbers (112 for ambulance or fire brigade, 100 for police)

Small Talk & Weather:

• Talking about the weather and simple pleasantries
• Asking for help from a local or a tourist office
• Expressing likes, dislikes, or confusion (“I don't understand”)

Travel Simulation & Review:

• Roleplaying a full travel day (airport to hotel to restaurant)
• Reviewing tricky vocabulary and Q&A session

Learning Outcomes:

• Initiate social interactions: Greet locals, introduce themselves, and use essential polite phrases.
• Navigate public transportation: Buy train and bus tickets, read station signs, and follow basic directional instructions.
• Manage dining experiences: Order food or drinks, specify dietary preferences, and pay the bill.
• Handle commercial transactions: Ask for prices, purchase souvenirs or groceries, and process payments.
• Arrange lodging services: Check into accommodation, request room amenities, and report basic maintenance issues.
• Resolve urgent situations: Ask for medical help, report lost items, and contact emergency services.
• Overcome communication gaps: Express lack of understanding and ask speakers to repeat themselves slowly.

What to bring:

Please bring a pen and paper.

About the Tutor:

'My name is Maurizio Pellizzon. I am a multilingual language tutor specialising in German, Italian and English. Whether you are preparing for a holiday, moving abroad, or upskilling for work, my goal is to give you the practical tools to communicate confidently.

Language is more than just words; it is a gateway to a culture and a way of life. You will learn to speak like a local by diving straight into real-life conversations and interactive roleplays, skipping the heavy grammar rules.'

Other Information:

• To ensure resources are ready for you at the start of your course, we ask you ideally enrol at least one week before the course commences.
• All courses need a minimum number of students to run ("we try our hardest to get those") . If your course does not have enough students it will be cancelled before the commencement and you will be informed.