German is one of the world’s major languages and the most widely spoken first language in Europe. German is spoken by around 120 million native speakers and also by about 80 million non-native speakers.
German is primarily spoken in Germany (where it is the first language for more than 95% of the population), Austria (89%) and Switzerland (65%). German is also spoken by the majority of the populations of Luxembourg and Liechtenstein.
German is the third-most taught foreign language in the English-speaking world, after French and Spanish. The German language is the second most known foreign language in the EU.
Best Language Courses in Germany
German Language Course in Berlin
• 2-12 weeks
• Prices from £1,245
Why Should I Learn German?
German is the most widely spoken native language in the EU and it is an official language in seven countries, which include Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg and some parts of Belgium and Italy.
It is also an important language, which belongs to the three most learned languages in the world as well as the ten most widely spoken languages in the world and it is spoken by over 100 million people.
The language is especially important to learn if you want to get into music or scientific research in engineering, physics or chemistry. Some of the world’s best music schools are in Germany and Austria and it is the second language most frequently used to write scientific papers.
Why Study German in Germany?
Spending time in Germany can be a really memorable experience. You’ll get to bask in Germanys wonderfully rich culture and history.
Germany is a land of contrasts and has something for everyone, from the trendy clubs and cafes of Berlin to quaint rural villages, to the majestic landscape of the Alps. Wherever you go you are guaranteed to find an atmosphere suited to both learning German and having fun!
In Germany you’ll find a mix of history and nature, bohemian cool and youthful hedonism. Although not typically associated with romance in the same way as Italy or France, Germany is home to a myriad of fairytale castles and rustic villages which inspire passion in anyone lucky enough to visit.
The German people are not what their ‘stiff’ stereotype would suggest but are robust, open-minded and jolly and the German language reflects this. To learn German in Germany is to share their culture and heritage and to experience something unique and unforgettable.
Best Places to Go
If you want to immerse yourself totally in the German language then your best bet would be to head to Germany or Austria.
Many people suggest that the best or most standard German ‘Hochdeutch’ is spoken in the city of Hannover (a bit like how some say that people in Oxford speak a purer form of English). However, many other cities or towns in Germany would provide just as a good a place to learn the language too. Some of the cities in central Germany are a good option as is the vibrant city of Hamburg.
People in Bavaria, the south east of Germany and Berlin, speak in slightly different dialects with strong accents. However both Munich, the capital of Bavaria and Berlin are great cities to live. It’s more important that you like the city you’ve chosen and doesn’t really matter if you end up speaking with a regional accent.
Other cities to consider include Meersburg, Freiburg and Constance.
Some good language schools in Germany are Inlingua, which have 70 language training centres all over Germany; ISK based in Hannover and did deutsch-institut which have centres in Hamburg, Berlin, Frankfurt and Munich.
A great option if you have some experience with kids or childcare qualifications would be to get a job as an au-pair with a German speaking family, some good companies that have connections or jobs in Germany. In addition to enrolling in classes another good way of immersing yourself in a language would be to do an internship in Germany.
So what are you waiting for ‘Sprechen Deutsch’!
Courses
Adult Courses
Beginners courses are offered at locations throughout Germany. All courses can be taken as standard or intensive classes and are available to all levels. They can be combined with specific activities or taken on their own. Some activities are provided for all courses and are optional. Extra excursions and activities can be arranged for an additional cost.