Feeling tongue-tied when trying to speak German? It might just be that you're in "the silent period" of language learning. Photo (cc) flickr user Enokson

A lot of people find themselves thrown into their expat life suddenly.  A job offer or a transfer or a new military post comes out of the blue and BAM!  Suddenly you and your family find yourselves packing up and moving to Germany.  You’re wondering how you’ll ever manage to get the house packed up, let alone to learn the language.  You’re overwhelmed (but excited) about the sudden change (and all the cheap and delicious beer and wine you’ve heard abounds in the land of the Autobahn).