This time in a month I will be in Germany. At a training course near Kรถln for soon-to-be language assistants to be precise. I can't believe that I'm so close to moving to Germany; there still seems to be so much to sort out! The paperwork seems endless and confusing (possibly because it is in German) and I'm not really sure what I'm doing! Anyway, this is my progress so far...
1. Contacted IGS Bad Salzdetfurth. The school now know that I'm definitely going to be working there and are apparently looking forward to meeting me (so far so good).
2. Sorted accommodation. My Betreuungslehrer (M.) is amazing and did some flat hunting and has found me somewhere to live. I know that all the uni lecturers go on and on about how living in a WG is the best option and the only way to really learn German but there aren't any in Bad Salzdetfurth. I did consider living in Hildesheim and getting the train each day but there is only one train an hour and they don't run early or late so living in a studio flat in Bad Salzdetfurth itself seemed like the only realistic option. Sorry lecturers.
M. also clarified my questions about the school. German secondary education is usually split into three types of school based on ability: Gymnasium, Realschule and Hauptschule. However, IGS Badsalzdetfurth is an 'Integrierte Gesamtschule' meaning that the school is mixed ability. In core subjects (including English) students are split into sets by ability. IGS is for German school years 5 to 9, so the students will be aged 10 to 14.
3. Flight booked. Yes I have booked a one-way flight to Germany. This year abroad thing just got real.
1. Contacted IGS Bad Salzdetfurth. The school now know that I'm definitely going to be working there and are apparently looking forward to meeting me (so far so good).
2. Sorted accommodation. My Betreuungslehrer (M.) is amazing and did some flat hunting and has found me somewhere to live. I know that all the uni lecturers go on and on about how living in a WG is the best option and the only way to really learn German but there aren't any in Bad Salzdetfurth. I did consider living in Hildesheim and getting the train each day but there is only one train an hour and they don't run early or late so living in a studio flat in Bad Salzdetfurth itself seemed like the only realistic option. Sorry lecturers.
M. also clarified my questions about the school. German secondary education is usually split into three types of school based on ability: Gymnasium, Realschule and Hauptschule. However, IGS Badsalzdetfurth is an 'Integrierte Gesamtschule' meaning that the school is mixed ability. In core subjects (including English) students are split into sets by ability. IGS is for German school years 5 to 9, so the students will be aged 10 to 14.
3. Flight booked. Yes I have booked a one-way flight to Germany. This year abroad thing just got real.
4. Another flight booked. Hannover airport does not have a lot of flights to London and I am fairly restricted on dates so I have booked my flights home for Christmas. Maybe I can do this whole 'organised German' thing after all...
5. Badse. Apparently locals refer to Bad Salzdetfurth as Badse. It's easier to type and easier to say so I'm happy!
Well, that's the news so far. Time to continue the (extensive) list of things that need doing before 26. August...
Well, that's the news so far. Time to continue the (extensive) list of things that need doing before 26. August...
