I have a theory - if you ever want to learn a foreign language, do so by watching lots of foreign TV. This theory is entirely based upon a guy I met at school who didn’t know a single word of English on day 1 of orientation and by graduation he could speak perfect English without an accent. His secret - he watched 4-6 hours of TV every single day (for the first year with the subtitles on). Oddly, he said he learned best from odd cartoons, bad soap operas, and commercials.

To test my theory, try watching this catchy German cartoon:

(if you can’t see the video, click here)

So, which would you rather do:

• sit in a classroom and listen to Helga say “Wiederholung nach mir: Ich muß baden und rasieren.” (repeat after me: I need to bathe and shave)
• Watch Schnappi sing about biting her mom and dad’s leg

Hopefully you all picked option #2. In fact, after watching this cute video you probably know enough German to blend in with the locals (only because Germans don’t talk much).

Wondering what the words mean? Here’s the first verse:
I am Schnappi, the little crocodile,
I live in Egypt, right next to the Nile,
first I lived in an egg,
but then shnapped my way free

Schni-schnai-schnappi schnappi-schnappi-schnapp - this doesn’t mean anything, it’s just supposed to be funny. Shoot, now I have this song in my head …

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