Student: Xiaoyu
Universität Leipzig – InterDaF am Herder-Institut Studienkolleg Sachsen. Summer Course 2009

The nearly three-week summer language course at the University of Leipzig in Germany is interesting, impressive and rewarding. Leipzig, the city where we stayed during the course, is the musical and cultural centre of East Germany, which witnessed the development and changes of the country and its long history. Immersed in its rich cultural environment, what we learned about is not only the German language, but also German history and culture. The language course in Leipzig can be divided primarily into three parts, namely the language lessons, the cultural and social activities and the weekend excursions, each of which has contributed to my impression of Germany in a different way and helped improve my language skills in German and my knowledge of German culture and history.

I was assigned to the B2-C1 group, which was quite beyond my expectation as well as my real capacity. However, I decided to accept the challenge and have a go. Our group used a text book called “Gebrauchsanweisung für Leipzig” by Bernd-Lutz Lange. It is a non-fiction approach for readers to learn about the city of Leipzig in different aspects, including its geography, economy, history, music, industry and so forth.

- Cultural and social activities
When we did not have any language courses in the afternoon, we usually selected one cultural activity to explore the city and German culture. For example, we went on tours around Leipzig, to a bowling afternoon, a BMW-factory visit, boating on the Weissen Elster River, etc. Besides, we also participated in night activities like a clubbing night and a TV party, at which students in our programme could meet and get to know each other. There were lists and a brochure of tips showing us where to go and what to do in Leipzig on a Saturday. We experienced German culture, learned about its society through these activities, and practiced our oral German throughout the daily conversations.