Why learn German?
An important language for communication in Europe
Anyone who can speak German can easily communicate with around 100 million
people in their own language for German is not only spoken in Germany
but also in Austria, in large parts of Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg
as well as areas of Northern Italy, Eastern Belgium and Eastern France.
Alongside Russian, German is the most frequently spoken native language
in Europe and is one of the ten most frequently spoken languages in the
World.
Reading original material
Anyone interested in literature cannot avoid German. Over 60,000 new books
are published in Germany each year, equivalent to 18% of books published
world-wide, making German the third largest publisher of books in the
world. Translations can never fully reproduce the cultural depth of German
literature.
Doing business with Germans
German is the most important trading partner for almost all European and
many non-European countries. The ability to speak German improves business
relationships with partners in the third largest industrial nation and
one of the most important exporting countries in the world. A knowledge
of German is a big advantage in business, as negotiations in a third language
can easily lead to misunderstandings with costly consequences.
Experiencing success
Learning and speaking German is no harder than English, French or Spanish.
Thanks to modern communicative teaching methods it is possible to achieve
a high level of communication skills in a very short time.
Advantages for tourism
In many countries visitors from Germany, Austria and Switzerland make
up the largest and most important tourist groups. A knowledge of German
is therefore a great advantage for many people working in the tourist
industry.
Opportunities on the job market
A knowledge of German improves your chances on the job market. Many German
companies abroad, many foreign companies in Germany and companies with
close business connections with the German speaking countries all look
to recruit workers with language qualifications. Within the European Union
it is not only specialists but also students and scientists with a knowledge
of German who can find many interesting training, study and job opportunities.
German prepares you for Europe
A knowledge of foreign languages always broadens both your intellectual
and professional horizons. Those who learn German gain access to an important
intellectual, economic and culturally historic area of Central Europe.
Scientific progress
A knowledge of German is very important for scientists and students as
German is in second place in field of scientific publications. If you
can read German, you have access to a whole world of research findings
in all areas of modern science. This is why 40% of Scientists in the USA
recommend their students to learn German. In Poland and Hungary the figure
is over 70%.
Experience Germany in more depth
Each year millions of tourists from all over the world visit Germany which
lies in the 'heart of Europe'. Being able to speak and understand German
means you to get to know the Germans better and gain a deeper insight
into their history and culture.
German, language of culture
A knowledge of German opens the door to the birthplace of one of the greatest
cultures in Europe, for German is the language of Goethe, Nietzsche and
Kafka, Mozart, Bach and Beethoven, Freud and Einstein.
Text copyright of Goethe-Institut Inter Nationes
© 2002
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