As a language teacher, there is nothing more rewarding than seeing students apply their learning in real-world contexts. When 15-year-old Tiarnan first started German lessons with me, Germany felt like a distant goal. Although he had visited before with his family, this time was different – he was travelling independently to attend a two-week intensive German language course for teenagers in Lindenberg, in the Bavarian Allgäu near the Alps.

After months of building strong foundations in grammar, vocabulary, and speaking confidence, he travelled to Germany to take part in the course. When he returned, I interviewed him about what those two weeks were really like – academically, socially, and personally. His reflections show just how quickly language learning can transform when it is lived, not simply studied.

Student Profile

Name: Tiarnan
Age: 15
Course: Intensive Course 30
Location: Humboldt-Institut, Lindenberg (Bavarian Allgäu, Germany)
Duration: 2 weeks

The Interview

Before the Course

What made you want to do a German course in Germany?

I have always been interested in learning a new language, especially because I frequently travel around Europe. On one of our family holidays to Austria, I started to pick up some German, and when I returned to Australia, I wanted to continue learning it properly. Shortly after, my mum came across the Humboldt-Institut on Instagram and showed it to me. After weeks of convincing, working hard, and earning some “brownie points,” she finally agreed to sign me up for the course.

How did you feel before going – excited, nervous, or both?

Honestly, I wasn’t nervous at all before leaving. I was mostly excited to meet new people from different countries and make lifelong memories. However, when I first arrived and didn’t know anyone, I briefly thought I was in for a very long two weeks. I quickly realised that many other students were in the exact same situation as me, which helped me relax and feel more comfortable.

Had you ever been to Germany before?

Yes, I had been to Germany a couple of times before on business trips with my dad. During those trips, I fell in love with the country and its culture, which is one of the main reasons I wanted to attend the Humboldt-Institut.

The Course

What was a normal day like?

A normal weekday started with breakfast, which usually finished between 8:30 and 9:00, depending on the day. I normally woke up around 7:00 each morning. After breakfast, our first class would begin. Each lesson lasted one hour, and we had between three and five hours of learning per day. On days with shorter lessons, we often went on excursions to other parts of Germany, and sometimes even to Switzerland. Bedtime was at 9:30 pm, with lights out by 10:00 pm.

How many lessons did you have each day?

Lessons varied each day. We had no lessons on Saturday, but on the other days we had around three to five lessons, each with a short break.

What kinds of things did you learn in class?

Each day, we covered grammar, spelling, writing, and listening skills. Speaking was also included in class, but it was used much more outside the classroom in everyday situations. In class, we also watched German news programs and completed worksheets to demonstrate our understanding. At the end of each week, we had a test to see where we needed to improve. In the final week, we completed a final exam, which we could take home with us.

Was it hard at first to speak mostly German all day?

I found this challenging at first. However, it was okay because everyone was in the same boat, with varying abilities when speaking German. I quickly adapted, and then things became a lot easier, especially in situations like shopping or ordering food.

Did your German improve?

My German improved a lot more than I expected. Being immersed in the language made it much easier for me to learn.

Life & People

Where were the other students from?

The other students came from all around the world. My friend group was very diverse. We had people from Spain, Italy, Serbia, Slovenia, France, Switzerland, Syria, and even from as far away as Brazil.

Did you make new friends?

Making friends was easy. I made lots of new friends during my time at Humboldt and still keep in touch with many of them today.

What did you do after class?

After class, we mostly played football or went swimming. Sometimes we went into the city for dinner or walked to the lake for a swim. There were different activities every evening to choose from — from nature walks to bike rides and even discos.

What was your favourite activity?

My favourite activity outside of class was definitely walking to other cities like Konstanz and around Lindenberg. I also enjoyed the excursions to different museums and learning about the history of Germany.

What was the food like?

The food at the institute was very high quality. There were various traditional German dishes that I enjoyed trying, and the desserts were incredible as well.

How was living in the student residence?

I really enjoyed living in the student residence because it felt like a hotel. I had so much freedom and loved being close enough to socialise while still having my own space. Everything I needed was within walking distance, and it was only a two-minute walk to the main town.

Looking Back

What was the best thing about your time in Lindenberg?

Looking back, my favourite highlight was probably swimming in the lake. It was extremely hot when I was in Germany, so cooling off and jumping into the water with friends was the best part. Afterwards, we would get an ice cream or hot dog and walk back to the institute in time for dinner.

Did anything surprise you about life in Germany?

I was surprised by how much freedom German students have, not just at my school but at other schools as well. I also loved how people connect in the evenings and socialise instead of going straight home.

What memory will you never forget?

I will never forget the amazing people I met. We had such a great time that we are even trying to organise going back to Humboldt together as a group. I will never forget the late-night activities and the laughs during and outside of lessons. It was such a fun experience and easily the highlight of my year.

Would you recommend this course?

I highly recommend this course to any student, not just in Australia. It is the perfect opportunity to explore a new culture and meet people from across the world.

Has this trip changed how you feel about learning German?

This trip has made me question why Australia does not take language learning more seriously. Most of my friends on the course could speak at least three languages, while I was still working hard on one. The experience has made me more determined and positive about committing to learning a language.

Would you go back?

I would definitely go back to Germany. It is a beautiful country, and two weeks was nowhere near enough. The food, people, and culture are unlike anywhere else, and I want to experience it again.

Final Reflections

Hearing Tiarnan speak about his experience fills me with pride and joy. Watching students step beyond the classroom, embrace independence, and grow in confidence is exactly why I love teaching German. His progress was not only visible in his German lessons, but in his mindset and motivation.

I recently recommended this same program to a student from Switzerland, who will be attending the German course for teenagers this year in July. I would be delighted to prepare and support any student considering a similar experience. If you are interested in guidance or preparation for an intensive German course in Germany, or any other type of course or exam, please get in touch with me 😊

If you would like to learn how it is possible to study German in high school in NSW, Australia, even if your school does not offer it, you can read more about it here on my blog.

I’m excited to be part of your language journey – let’s make it a successful one!

Warm regards,
Nadia