Wham! Bam! Just like that I wanted to learn German quickly and easily, and I needed to find a way. I had a 2-step strategy to do so. It's called the "Dip and Dive". The "Dip" step was to sign up for a beginner German class at the Goethe Institute in my area. The "Dive" step was to study German for 2 months at a Goethe Institute in Germany. If you are going to live in a German-speaking country you need the "Dip and Dive" strategy to ensure success in becoming proficient in German.

The Dip - When going for a swim, most of us first dip our toes in the water to check the temperature in order to get our psyche ready to dive in. This Dip is based on a similar principle. It refers to getting your psyche and brain ready before you leave, by learning about the German language and culture, through a language class or an online course. To get the most out of the Dip, you should find a good online German course that allows you to be fully immersed in the German language. One of the principal benefits to learn to speak German online is that it is convenient, and enables you to learn German anywhere and anytime. Once you have acquired solid intermediate German language skills and you have a sufficient knowledge of the country's culture, this will lessen the culture shock and better prepare you to learn, study, or work abroad in any German-speaking country.

The Dive - When we dive into the water we are completely submerged and there is nothing we can do but enjoy the water and the moment. Likewise, when you are living and studying in Germany, you will get the most enjoyment and fulfillment if, and only if, you try to immerse yourself in all things German as much as you can. By learning through immersion, you will have an opportunity to maximize your acquisition of German. To get the most out of the Dive you need to do the following:

"Be grateful for the home you have, knowing that at this moment, all you have is all you need." ~ Sarah Ban Breathnach
· Your Residence - Keep in mind that living away from home is expensive, thus, you should try to find accommodations that are within your budget. If possible, try to find a German home that offers accommodations to foreign students through the language school or various agencies or services online that specialize in this. You want to be cut off, as much as possible, from anyone who speaks English because the temptation to speak English will override your willingness to speak German, and your German will either stagnate or get worse. The bottom line is that you want to put yourself in the best possible area to live with and interact with German-speaking natives.

"Jumping at several small opportunities may get us there more quickly than waiting for one big one to come along." ~ Hugh Allen
· Your Social Life - You need to seize the opportunities to make German friends to improve your ability to learn German fluently. Living with German-speaking natives can provide you with constant interaction to learn German quickly and is a great way to network and establish meaningful relationships. You will also have plenty of opportunities to speak German and build upon your German vocabulary during your day-to-day activities. By observing, you will learn by example the cultural norms and etiquette. By listening, you will improve both your comprehension and your pronunciation and ability to utilize the colloquialisms.

"The only disability in life is a bad attitude." ~ Scott Hamilton
· Your Attitude - Having a positive attitude can make or break your Dive. You are abroad to not only learn German but to experience the culture and people as well. So despite your neurosis or shyness or various excuses, you have to keep your spirits up. Be brave and don't worry about making mistakes, it is part of the process when learning a language, more so while living in Europe. Remember, the "Dip and Dive" if done properly, as mentioned, will make the transition much smoother and less of a shock to the system to acclimatize to and enjoy the learning experiences, while in Germany.