• What exactly is the - Internationaler SprachStammtisch Muenchen ?

A purely private initiative to make conversation in the languages English, French, Italian, Spanish and German in a regular manner.

The Meet-ups take usually place by turns on Thursdays, in case there are no legal or school holidays and given that at least one native speaker confirmed his attendance. Only one of the five languages is being spoken during the whole evening.

• What's the Idea behind?

The idea is to have an international (languages') exchange in order to regularly practice one or more foreign languages with native speakers and to "share" the own mother tongue with others.

Not to forget the chance and additional benefit of building up an international network - or just to meet nice new people.

As if to say: Quality not quantity is what is important to me personally (as initiator and sole organizer). With other words, it's not important to have as many members as possible. What really matters is to find people who stand behind our philosophy and get fun of participating actively, thus underlining the personal touch of our meet-ups.

By the way, each languages'get-together will only take place if there is at least one native speaker participating (something I usually check before sending out the invitations).

• How long do the -SprachStammtische- exist?

Our „Multi-Kulti"Kick-off meeting took place on 5th of December 2006.

Since then our single languages' tables have been taking place in a regular manner.

• What's the concept/philosophy?

The concept of the „round tables" is comparable to some kind of „Tandem"-meetings. The only difference is that there are more people participating and more languages to be spoken (instead of just two of each).

In other words: It's some kind of "Give and Take" - not 1:1 in person and language, but in the whole everybody can gain its benefit.

For example: If there is a French person living in Munich who wants to practice e.g. Spanisch and German, he/she will be welcome to participate in both "tables". At the same time, it would be great, if he/she was prepared to - at least once in a while - take part in the meeting of his/her own mother tongue, too. 

• What about the minium knowledge/level of a language needed?

You should at least have basic knowledge of a foreign language (A2/B1), which means you should have gone through the basic grammar and be able to understand the language. At this level it is very important to do additional studies besides, in order to improve constantly.

In no case, the "tables" are meant to (and cannot) be some kind of classes/lessons.

Anyhow, it's very important, that the amount of participants with advanced level exceed the beginners and that there is at least one native speaker taking part. Otherwise - of course - it might be difficult to make conversation.

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