Wo kann ich Gespräche auf Deutsch in New York finden?

December 11, 2007 9:13 AM

I want to find native German speakers to practice conversation with in New York.

This summer, I went to Germany to take language courses after a few crash courses. During that time my German improved by leaps and bounds. Now, I fear that the skill is fading. I have a job where I deal with many many tourists a day in a museum. Whenever I hear them speaking German, I get very excited and try to engage them in conversation. Unfortunately, these often end up being half in English und halb auf Deutsch, because I'm so out of practice.

Is there a program where I could find native German speakers to converse with on a regular basis? Should I be looking for German exchange students at a college in the city? Danke.

posted by piratebowling to writing & language (9 comments total)

When I took German at NYU, we would often leave class early to "practice" at Zum Schneider. Waitstaff is mostly German-speaking, and so are a healthy percentage of the patrons.
posted by saladin at 9:33 AM on December 11, 2007

Speaking of NYU, their Deutsches House on Washington Mews hosts a number of excellent events throughout the year, many of which are open to the public.
posted by saladin at 9:36 AM on December 11, 2007

Deutsches Hous at Columbia University.
posted by carmina at 9:45 AM on December 11, 2007

Goethe-Institut in NY can also probably help.
posted by jquinby at 9:55 AM on December 11, 2007

If you can't find anything right away, my colleague told me that he calls hotels in Germany and asks about facilities to practice his skills.
posted by spec80 at 9:56 AM on December 11, 2007

Jquinby ist korrect. Du sollst die Goethe-Institute telephonieren.
posted by Ironmouth at 10:29 AM on December 11, 2007

Loreley kannst Du auch versuchen.
posted by chillmost at 11:43 AM on December 11, 2007

Rolf's Bar. Silver Swan. Mehr hier.
posted by chillmost at 11:49 AM on December 11, 2007

My wife was kind of involved in a German parents group from Park Slope... Three of the members (us included) have left, but I know a bunch are still left... I'm not sure where they meet-up, but maybe lurk the ParkSlope Message Boards.
posted by From Bklyn at 12:53 PM on December 11, 2007