The German language is popularly spoken in Western and Central Europe. It is the most widely spoken language and, in some cases, the official language, of countries such as Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Belgium, and Namibia. German is the most widely spoken language in Europe. It is the second most popular foreign language in India, after French. This makes German one of the most sought-after languages to learn.
Following are some advantages of learning German:
Exercise for the brain
Learning a new language is like learning to write with your non-dominant hand. It pushes our brains to look at new things, memorise new things, and respond in newer ways. This can be a great exercise for our brains. Learning a new language such as German can sharpen our brains by activating our brains in newer ways than ever.
Culture
One of the first and foremost advantages of learning any language is that it helps the learner learn more about a new culture. Languages are embedded in history and traditions. Understanding the origin of German words can tell us so much more about German history, culture, and traditions. Knowing about other cultures broadens our minds and opens us up to new possibilities and ideas. Learning the German language can open you up to the rich heritage and culture of Germany. You can then study German literature (Goethe, Schiller, Thomas Mann, Kafka), read German books, watch German movies, listen to German music (Bach, Beethoven, Mozart), engage in popular German art (Kollwitz, Dürer, Klee, Kandinsky), and indulge in insightful German philosophy (Kant, Schopenhauer, Nietzsche, Benjamin, Adorno) and deep German psychology (Freud, Jung).
Easy to learn
For English speakers, German is much easier to grasp and learn as compared to other European languages such as French or Spanish. The origins of English and German languages have significant overlap in Anglo-Saxon history. For example, 80 of the most common words in English are German in origin. The following will further illustrate how the two languages are quite similar.
English: I have
German: Ich habe
English: It is long
German: Es ist lang
English: Where is that
German: Wo ist das
The initiative to learn German originated with the inauguration of Max Mueller Bhavan in Kolkata in 1957. However, German has been taught formally in India since 1914. There are ample opportunities to learn German in India apart from Max Mueller Bhavan. It is easy to find teachers in India who can teach German.
Career opportunities
Learning German can give a significant boost to career opportunities. Germany is the 4th largest economy in the world. It is one of the prominent economic powers of the world. Additionally, the German-speaking population is present in most economically significant countries in Europe. There are 29 German companies on the Fortune 500 list of companies. Many of these companies look for a German-speaking population to hire. Even in India, many companies look for candidates to hire who can speak German. Having German on your resume can open so many lucrative career opportunities.
Entrepreneurial Opportunities
Not just job opportunities, the large and growing economy of Germany can be a lucrative opportunity for Entrepreneurs. Germany is ranked 21st out of 150 in the ease of doing business index. This indicates that it is one of the top countries to do business in. Germany is also the world’s 2nd largest exporter of goods, which makes it essential to learn German. Learning the German language can make it easier for entrepreneurs to do business in Germany and many other European nations.
Education Opportunities
Learning German can also open up opportunities for high-quality education abroad. Some of the top universities in the world are in Germany. Universities such as the Technical University of Munich, Ludwig Maximilian University, and the University of Heidelberg are some of the reputed German universities listed in the top 100 universities in the world rankings. Learning the German language can make it easier for students to pursue undergraduate or postgraduate education from such prestigious universities. Given that the cost of living is also relatively cheaper as compared to most other European countries, Germany comes across as an education destination worth considering.
Not just in Germany, but learning German can open up similar opportunities in other German-speaking countries such as Austria and Switzerland.
The luxury language
German Engineering is a brand on its own. Made in Germany signifies the highest quality parameters. Germany is known for luxury high-end premium brands. Companies such as BMW, Daimler, Volkswagen, Lufthansa, Adidas, Siemens, Bosch, Deutsche Bank, SAP, BASF, and Allianz, are all high-end premium brands well-known the world over. German cars are well known for their superior performance and luxury.
Make more friends
Close to 150 million people speak German the world over. So, if you learn German, you have the potential to make so many more friends. It can be a great way of networking and building connections with this huge demographic. Networking is the mantra for success today, irrespective of whichever field you are in.
Easy to travel
Given that the German-speaking population is present in most European countries, learning German can be of great value to active travellers who are looking to explore Western and central Europe. It always helps if you know the local language. It helps travellers to find their way around, to get to the must-see places.
Also Read: Advantages and Disadvantages of Online Learning
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