The lure of Las Vegas and American English

Despite America's unilateral foreign policy and its destructive war in Iraq, many students I meet studying German in Stuttgart are fascinated by the US and would like to visit. The place most express interest in seeing is Las Vegas. Some speak of Los Angeles and others of New York City, but Vegas is what commonly comes up in conversations. The lure of the lights and action, the simulation of fun, the frisson of excitement, all this and more draws people's interest.

Speaking American English is considered hip by many of these students. They might not understand much of the language but they have seen MTV videos and mimic street talk. Many want to learn or improve their English and hope to do so after mastering German.