[cstrife187]

A little background info: I'm an American, living in Germany for three years for work. There is an english-language BJJ club near me that meets informally to train/drill/spar, but the only formal instruction I know of is a good drive away, and all in German.

Meine Deutsch ist nicht sehr gut.

I'm wondering if anyone has any experience trying to train somewhere they don't speak the language? I don't know if I'll get enough out of it to be worth driving an hour one way to take a class where I might not be able to effectively communicate.

[BJJMark95]

Jiu-jitsu itself is a language. You will learn from it bOth in technique and learning German. Will be well worth the experience. I'm an American and living in Scotland at the moment. Yes Its "English" but I think if anyone has ever been here you know that depending on the person it can be a whole another language at times. Training has helped me learn a bunch of the dielect as well as plenty of friends. I say go for it! You won't regret it.

[FEDLEO]

I live in Korea and the instructor does speak English, when he remembers too! However, I understand 99% of it, by looking at what's going on. If I'm doing something wrong, he fixes me. No big deal, I hardly even notice.

[bigskinny22]

[scifigal]

I've received 99% of my training here in Korea in Korean. I used to get some translations. Now I rarely do, but if it seems like he's talking about a concept I'll ask for a translation.

Yes, it's worth it. Especially if your instructor is black belt. Plus, you'll pick up on some German.

Do it, man! Plus, you'll have some great stories!

[mr_smiley_]

I'm an American and spent a couple of weeks training in Jersey (UK) and dropped in at a gym in London, but probably not the same kind of language issue that OP is facing. I actually have more trouble trying to understand my judo coach through his Scottish accent.

[vabrewer]

I'm from Ireland, but live in America. So the language isn't the problem for me. However, I think I shall invoke a language barrier excuse for sucking on the mats going forward.

"Nice roll, you caught me tight there. I'm from Ireland, language barrier, otherwise your ass woulda been mine"

Boom, it has been decided

[Connection Rio]

[Girafa]

I trained in Belgium and England before, both the Ianguage was no problem. I also trained at Robin Gracie for 2 weeks in spain. Most of them only spoke Spanish, although Robin spoke a little English. I enjoyed training there really well and everybody was very respectful. They didnt allow the heelhook which I didnt know untill I did one. I was kindly corrected though. Other than that, I was able to pick up some spanish words and after two weeks I was able to follow parts of their conversations too.

[Vanilla Guerrilla]

[Girafa]

Oh yeah made some nice friends there too, had some good nights with mates I didnt understand properly at all haha. But mujeres and cerveza are part of my vocabulary now ;)

[dioxippus]

I didn't know what BJJ was when I was in Germany, but I did take a stick fighting class for a few months with my friend while I was there. The owner spoke just enough english to make sure we payed our bill every month. I really didn't have a problem learning though and it was my best off base experience. I also picked up a little german even if I did feel like an outsider at times. Go for it, for me it was a lot of fun.

[JeffOkinawa]

I've trained in China and Palau. In Palau, everyone speaks English (a visiting instructor spoke only Japanese, but I speak Japanese too). In China, the instructors and many of the students also spoke English.

Both were awesome experiences. I think even if there had been a huge language barrier, grappling is something of a language of its own. Also, I think people can tell who is trying to show respect even if they don't speak the same language, and respect goes a long way.

[stillwaters]

Where in Germany? A brown belt I used to train with in the US teaches out there now...not likely you're in the same town, but I can ask if he knows of anybody formally teaching in the area.

[cstrife187]

Thanks for all the encouragement, everyone!

I'm in Kaiserslautern, and the academy I'm looking at is a Carlson Gracie gym in Saarbrucken. There are also some people who train on base here 3 times a week and carpool once every 1-2 weeks to train at an Alliance gym in Frankfurt.

I think I'll try tagging along with them first so I'm not the only fish out of water.

[supergrappler]

[lepiu]