Have you ever asked yourself “should I learn German?”
There are many reasons to learn German.
1. You'll find a new world
German websites are about 5.8% of the internet. The domain .de ranked at around fifth, coming in after .com, .ru (Russia), .net and .org.
There’s a new world to be discovered. So, start now to learn German.
2. Study in Germany for free
In Germany you will not spend your money on education. In UK it costs about £9,000+ a year.
Studying in most universities in Germany is for free. Some institutions charge €500 a semester. You should also know that many German universities are in the world’s top 100.
If you want free education you should learn German NOW!
3. German is similar to English
English and German belong to the Germanic language family. Many German words are still used in English, such as kindergarten and kitsch.
English was influenced by German, Greek and Latin. Words such as Mutter (Mother), Tochter (daughter) and Freund (friend).
It's fantastic to know how many words you already know as English speaker if you choose to learn German.
4. German is the Most Spoken Native Language in the European Union
German is the eleventh most widely spoken language in the world, with an estimated 200 million speakers worldwide. Please note that the Germans are only 75 millions.
Some 95 million people speak German as a first language, meaning there are around as many speakers of German as a second language as there are native speakers. Talking of native speakers, German is the native language of Germany, Austria and a decent chunk of Switzerland.
Many people in Central and Eastern Europe choose to learn German as a second language. Outside the EU, it’s the third most taught foreign language.
5. Germany has the Biggest Economy in Europe
Germany has an economy of $3.4 trillion, making it the fourth largest economy worldwide.
It’s also home to many international corporations, such as Volkswagen, Allianz, Birkenstock, Mercedes-Benz, Siemens and stacks of other brands that are recognised globally.
Having German language skills on your CV can help your career in so many ways.
6. German is a Key Language for Science Nerds
At the turn of the 20th century, Germany was tipped to become the official language of science, thanks to the success of leading thinkers such as Max Planck and Sigmund Freud.
Then WWI happened and in the aftermath, Belgian, French and British scientists ostracised scientists from Germany and Austria by encouraging international boycotts. Matters didn’t improve much due to WW2. This led to a division between the scientific communities of Europe. German dominated central and the eastern Europe. French and English became prevalent in western Europe.
Since then, English has cemented its stronghold as the official language of science. Some scientists worry that this will affect the work of those who are forced to research and publish in a foreign language.
If you’re scientifically inclined (as I am), fluency in German will give you the upper-hand in understanding the works of the some great German minds, such as Albert Einstein. Plus, you’ll be supporting a great cause – that of keeping the scientific community multilingual.
7. Want to Make Money? Learn German
Did you know that Germany is the largest European trading partner with the US (and has a ranking of fifth overall)? Germany exports everything from vehicles and machines, to chemical products and metals.
If you’re interested in pursuing or strengthening a career in business, you’ll stand yourself in good stead by knowing the native language of your German business partners.
Your Call: Why Learn German
There are countless reasons why learning the German language can be beneficial in the long run. From increasing your career prospects to broadening your mind, the opportunities that await you know no bounds.
Have I convinced you on the “why learn German” question? Start learning German NOW!
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