Learning any language is often seen as a great step toward furthering both professional and personal aspirations. Picking a language out is a big choice though. You can find a lot of reasons to choose a very widely-spoken language, like Spanish or French as they’re spoken in many countries around the world. On the other hand, you might prefer to learn a lesser-known language, as it would enable you to learn more about a new country and its culture.
One of the very best languages to learn, for the two reasons above and several more, is German. With around 130 million German speakers globally, it’s the most widely spoken primary language in the European Union, as well as the official language in seven countries. Around the world, there are 42 nations containing 7.5 million people who speak it as a minority. But reasons to learn German go far beyond its ubiquity in Europe.
Access To Learn
German is a great option because it’s so widely spoken, which means routes to learn from experienced speakers are plentiful. German’s regional dialects and expansive range of phrases and uses mean it can be a little like other western European languages, easy to pick up and start learning but hard to become very experienced in without a lot of exposure to conversational speed, complexity, and nuances. Thankfully, seeking out german lessons and variations like dialect and conversational German, as opposed to formal German, can be found easily enough online.
It’s often more time and cost-effective than traditional in-person, classroom-style tutoring. One-to-one tutors are proven to both improve the challenging aspects of linguistic education (speaking to a native, for example) and also build a learner’s confidence in practicing what they’re learning in physical settings, without a textbook.
Professional Potential
Germany has one of the most stable and developed economies in the world, including being the largest in Europe. The country is also a major exporter and importer to America and the U.K., with a thriving technology and manufacturing sector. This means that speaking German is a highly sought-after second language to have, as it’s so closely tied to business relationships in much of Europe.
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Educational Opportunities
In addition to having a highly developed economy, German universities and educational bodies are considered some of the finest in the world. Some of its economic centers, including Berlin, Frankfurt, Munich, and Cologne are all homes to excellent universities. Studying in Germany is hugely popular; for example, the number of Indian students studying in the ‘land of ideas’ has risen by over 20% between 2019 and 2020 alone!
Attaining degrees and integrating into German society while studying is an amazing asset to have, not only on a resume but also if you intend on traveling through or applying to reside permanently in Germany or some of its German-speaking satellite countries.
Learning German doesn’t have to be a chore, either. It’s a chance to visit and converse extensively as you learn and expose yourself to a historic, rich and diverse culture that exists in Germany today. It’s a culture with a rich literary background, opening up your horizons to some of the greatest poetry and philosophical thinking as it was originally written.
The benefits of speaking the language are many and go well beyond the chance to get better jobs or apply for university courses. Start researching today and you’ll find that learning one of Europe’s most unique and ancient languages isn’t as hard as you’d think!
