For anyone considering learning a new language, German is a great option.
It is the most widely spoken language in the European Union and is the official language of many countries, including Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
It is also a popular second language in Eastern Europe.
Here are the top ten reasons why learning German can be beneficial.
1. Job prospects
In today’s global economy, being bilingual or multilingual is a huge asset.
If you are looking for a job that involves international business or travel, being able to speak German will give you a significant advantage over other candidates who only speak English.
2. Cultural understanding
Learning German will also help you to better understand the culture and history of Germany and other German-speaking countries.
By understanding the language, you will be able to appreciate the literature, music, and art of these countries in a way that would not be possible if you only spoke English.
3. Cognitive skills
Studies have shown that learning a second language can have a positive impact on cognitive skills such as memory, problem-solving, and critical thinking.
These benefits are not just restricted to adults; even children and teenagers who learn German as a foreign language can reap these rewards.
4. Communication skills
German is a very logical language with a grammatical structure that is quite different from English.
Learning German will help you to improve your ability to communicate clearly and effectively in all kinds of situations, both professional and personal.
This will be especially helpful if you are working or traveling abroad and need to interact with native speakers on a regular basis.
5. Unique cultural experiences
Germany is home to many world-famous attractions, such as the Oktoberfest festival, the castles of Bavaria, and the Christmas markets of Dresden.
In addition, visiting any of Germany’s beautiful cities like Berlin, Hamburg, Munich or Cologne will provide you with a unique cultural experience that can only be fully appreciated by someone who understands the language.
6. Travel experiences
If you are planning a trip to Germany or other countries where German is spoken, knowing some basic phrases can be very helpful in getting around and interacting with local people.
Even if you never leave your country of residence, knowledge of German will enable you to find things online that might not be available in English.
7. Travel experiences elsewhere in central Europe
To truly experience the beauty of Eastern and Central Europe, it is necessary to learn at least some of the local languages, including German.
Other countries where German is an official language include Belgium, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein, Austria, and many parts of Poland.
Even if you are just planning a short trip across your own country’s border, knowledge of German can make all the difference when it comes to communicating with locals or finding your way around unfamiliar territory.
8. Career prospects – in non-German speaking regions!
Even outside of Germany and Austria, many multinational companies are based in German-speaking countries or use German as their official language in other parts of the world.
If you learn German and even develop an advanced level of fluency, it can open up a whole new range of career opportunities with these kinds of companies.
9. Experiencing native language
Although learning a foreign language is usually easier for children than adults, there are certain advantages that adults have over kids when it comes to second language acquisition – this includes the ability to step back from our own perspective and appreciate our native tongue objectively.
Once you gain fluency in another language, particularly one as different from English as German, your knowledge about your own mother tongue will become more sophisticated and nuanced on a whole new level.
10. Meeting new people
Making friends is one of the main reasons why many of us choose to learn a new language, and learning German – which is the third most widely spoken language in Europe after English and Russian – will open up a lot of opportunities to meet interesting, educated and creative people from all over the world.
Conclusion
German is a very important language to learn for business, travel, or cultural purposes.
It also has some great learning benefits that are not widely appreciated.
Although it takes time and effort to become fluent in German, it will be time well spent with many significant outcomes that can improve your life on a personal and professional level!