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Hello to all out there! I’m writing because I need some advice on a specific topic. My son has been studying German in school for a couple of years now and we are thinking about letting him take a Mod edit - advertising link soon in order to help the development of his language skills. My husband and I are convinced that this could really improve his German and would be a valuable experience for his further life.
Unfortunately our son doesn’t share this opinion. I guess a seventeen-year-old has different ideas of spending his time in the summer. Normally he spends his time hanging out with his friends doing sports, playing video games or Poker (which he could still play online from Germany!). I don’t have anything against it because his friends are all well-mannered and they all obviously have a good time together. But now I would love to convince him of the benefits of such a stay abroad. Therefore, has anyone ever taken a German course in Berlin? Can anyone recommend me some interesting activities for teenagers to do there? It would be great if he could see how much fun this would be!
Another reason why he doesn’t want to go is the fact that a couple of friends of my son are going on vacation to Mod edit - advertising link this summer. And of course he would like to go with them. So I was thinking maybe we can combine that. If he could do a German course there and his friends would also be there for a certain period on their vacation, I’m sure it would be a lot easier to convince him. Though I know that a language course in a country where the language is actually spoken would be better, I would concur with this idea. Can anyone recommend a good language school on Tenerife? And has anyone experiences with that?
Thank you in advance for your help!
Last edited by toobusytoday; 01-04-2010 at 07:54 PM..
I'm a big believer in extra-curriculars being student led. No harm finding out the information but for many students, a study abroad is better done when they are in College. IMHO, the best thing for a high school student over 15 is to get a job in the summer.
I'm a big believer in extra-curriculars being student led. No harm finding out the information but for many students, a study abroad is better done when they are in College. IMHO, the best thing for a high school student over 15 is to get a job in the summer.
Hello,
Hope your okay and doing fine.
Thank you so much of your ideas and encouragement. Your ideas are very much appreciated.
I’m happy to have someone in this site that really wants to share ideas and gives advice.
hmmm, do I sense some sarcasm? C'mon there are three weeks left of THIS summer. It looks like Tenerife is a Spanish Island, might be a bit difficult to find a German language program even if you had time to figure it out.
I've got two boys and I know how hard it is to talk them into doing something that isn't their idea. If they do something I talked them into and it doesn't work out, they blame me for it and go into it with a bad attitude to boot. Perhaps your son is easier to persuade. Good luck.
My son went to university in England for 3 years, but, it was his own decision. I was personally terrified to let him go that far from home (we are Americans) without me, but, we found some great "host parents" to help and he did very well and it was a fantastic experience for him.
My question for you would be, how comfortable would you be knowing that your son is that far from home (obviously, you don't live in Germany) on a "student" experience when he apparently does not want to be there in the first place? If you think about it, you will have far less control over him there and things could take a really nasty turn of events....teenagers being what they are and all....
another poster made this suggestion....get the kid a job. Idle hands are the devil's workshop. My kids (both boys) both went to work the day after they turned 14; after school and on weekends with 40 + hours on vacation time... and none of us (the kids nor I) ever regretted it.
Don't make him go! He will not get anything out of it if he does not have the initiative and therefore you would be wasting his time and your money. Perhaps after he has matured and is in college he would like to consider studying abroad?
If he does not seem interested into this German trip, then don't go.
He can always go another time.
at that age some kids are more into video game and other distractions.
Can you take him on a vacation to Germany? Maybe after a visit he'd like an extended stay (or know that he wouldn't)
Or maybe try to hook him up with a german exchange student here in the US?
I met a Danish exchange student as a child when I was doing a report on Denmark. I don't know how my mother found her but I did interview her. It was very interesting.
Thank you so much for all your ideas and information. I'm so happy to be part on this site, because all your ideas and information are very interesting and informative.
Thanks you so much and have w wonderful day. See you around.
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