The best part about living in Los Angeles is...
I have been teaching German Linguistics for almost 2 decades in different countries across Europe, Asia and Russia. Although students came often from different backgrounds and varied from undergraduates to postgraduates, they always faced the same obstacle: They learned German in the classroom while they had difficulty to practice it in a society, which is not German speaking. Yet Los Angeles represents an ethnically and culturally diverse society and has – among other language 'colonies' – a vibrant German community, German restaurants, German cafeterias and even German 'Biergarten' which would facilitate implementing your theoretical knowledge into praxis. People in Los Angeles are particularly friendly compare to other places across the nation. If you are a newcomer and walking in the street, you might be surprised that people you've never met smile at you and say 'hi' to you. Weather in LA is nice and sunny. This is a crucial factor for many who like outdoor activities. You don't need to drive far if you like hiking, surfing, enjoying beaches or walking in the nature.
Recommend a place to visit where German is the native language, and tell us why you like it.
Outside of United States, I warmly recommend Berlin, the German capital. This city is a marvelous one in many aspects. It is overwhelmingly multi-culturally inclined, they generally speak a clear German with a quite neutral ad less-dialectically colored accent, the accommodations, food, drinks etc. are very reasonable and for those who would like to visit cultural centers, museums, exhibitions and artistic locals Belin is definitely the best destination. Berlin is also geographically centered in heart of Germany and Europe; hence, with the extremely functional infrastructure and efficient transport system the visitors could easily travel across Germany and even Europe within hours.
What German film or musical artist do you recommend students watch or listen to?
I personally recommend Babylon Berlin available via Netflix as well as German Podcasts and homepages such as Slow German, German News slowly read, German Songs.
What most surprises your students about German?
The astonishing similarity of German grammar, syntax, and vocabulary to English based on common ground of Indo-European linguistics, mutual influences on these two languages on each other, and nonetheless the logicality and precision of German have been always a matter of attrition to learn this beautifully well-structured language. Not to forget, that German migrants along other early Europeans belong to the initial cultural founders of the New World.
What one thing would you like your students to know about you?
I would warmly suggest all potential learners of any possible language to snoop in my German classes; particularly at the beginning of each season in order to experience the mazing world of linguistics. I am teaching as a professional linguist languages and cultures of Europe, Middle East and Northern Africa for more than 25 years and you will be surprised to see what the acquisition of a foreign language could mean to widening our cultural horizon.