Learning German – Benefits
German is spoken by 100 million people worldwide, and is a respected language in business, the sciences, and the arts. Did you know, for example, that German is the most used language on the Internet, after English?
There are many reasons and benefits to learning German. German speaking countries are rich in history, and there are many reasons to visit places like Germany or Austria. Oktoberfest and Bavaria are only two of many well known destinations or events. With even basic German speaking skills you can visit and enjoy these and a multitude of other culturally rich German events and places
German is easier to learn for English speakers, due to the origins of each language, which share similar paths. Words like professor, kindergarten and hamburger are German words which have been adopted into English. That is not true in all cases, so you can get tripped up if you assume that all words which look the same have the same meaning.
Book and media publishing are another of Germany’s great strengths. One in ten books published is published in German. Ranking third in the entire world for applications for patents, Germany is at the leading edge of technology and innovation. While German is not close to being one of the world’s biggest countries, it has let the world in exports in most recent years.
Enough about how hard-working the Germans are. This is true, but only half of the story, as Germany is the largest spender of tourist dollars – probably thanks to the generous 6-week vacation time that each German worker earns. Accordingly, there is no part of the world where you will not come across German speakers.
German is also the most spoken language in Europe. Because German is wrongly perceived as trickier to grasp than other languages, there is a quite a snob appeal attached to learning it. Thankfully, some of that reputation is no longer deserved, after a Spelling rule change which simplified spelling and grammar rules significantly.
But at the same time, the Germans are a very precise race, and are less likely to show patience for bad pronunciation and lack of vocabulary – not because of any bad feeling, simply because they value precision and exactness very highly.
If all you think of German heritage is beer and Lederhosen, then you are far short of the mark. Germany has a vast and rich cultural heritage. Freud and Einstein were German. Many of the most respected classical composers throughout history came from Germany also. Learning German exposes one to the inside track on German culture and history.
Learning German is easier today than even. n the first place, it is much less complicated than it was thanks to the rule changes of 1998. Second, there are many well-developed on line programs which make grasping basic German and then expanding it very achievable.
The author operates a language website, and you are invited to review his Learning German recommendations. Also, feel free to enroll for a FREE 6-Day German On Line Course.
Related posts:
- Historical Aspects of the German Language
- Reasons To Learn The German Language
- German Spelling Reform
- Hints And Tips For Learning German
- Learning German Is Easier Than You Think
Tags: how to learn german, learning German, to learn german, why to learn german