Germans in general have good English and are very keen to practise at every given opportunity. But if you speak some of the language, you might find it helps you to make more friends and contacts in your neighbourhood.

Before leaving:

• Consider doing a self-study course, or attending German classes
• Make a note of useful vocabulary for the kind of situations you expect to deal with and which aren't covered in the phrasebook.

Once you get there:

• Consider continuing your German studies at a language school, like the Goethe Institut or Eurolingua or Volkshochschule.
• Practise, practise, practise!

Getting there index