It is surprisingly easy to operate in Berlin – especially in Mitte and Prenzlauer Berg – without knowledge of German. But nothing endears you to locals more than making an effort to speak their language. Many of them will complement your skills even if they are limited to hallo, Wie geht’s. In addition to the large number of language schools, a free way to learn German popular among those of intermediate level is to set up a Sprachtandem, an informal regular meeting during which a pair practise one another’s language. Check sites such as www.learn-german.com/tandem-lernen or www.lingobongo.com for more advice.