Updated by Jessica Schnase on December 20, 2024
Why learn German? Here are our top 5 reasons to give it a try!
Why learn German? There are so many languages in the world – thousands, in fact! So if you’re interested in learning a new one, what makes German a good choice? Why learn German instead of Spanish, Italian, or French, for example?
A really good way to figure out if a language is right for you is to consider all the benefits of learning that particular language – and German offers several solid advantages. From its similarity to English to increased opportunities in the business world, there are a lot of reasons why you should learn German as a foreign language.
1. It’s relatively easy to learn
2. It’s widely spoken
3. It can lead to career and business opportunities
4. You’ll have access to top-notch, low-cost education
5. German literature and films are worth checking out
Is German easy for English speakers to learn?
Is it worth to learn German?
If you’re reading this article, you obviously already know English. That’s a huge advantage when it comes to learning German. There are probably more English and German similarities than you realize. They both come from the same (Germanic) language family, so they have a lot in common. They use the same alphabet and numbering system, and they share many word sounds, for instance.
Another reason that German is quite easy to learn is that it’s quite a phonetic language with pretty structured spelling rules. Once you’ve learned the alphabet, word pronunciation is relatively straightforward (dare we say, much easier than in English).
And, finally, German only has one form of present tense. Compared to the four present tenses in English, that sounds like a piece of cake!
There are six German-speaking countries in Europe where it’s an official language and 10 more where it’s a minority language. This makes it the most widely spoken language in Europe after English.
But how many people speak German? Actually, there are about 100 million native speakers around the globe, and approximately 130 million more who speak it as a second or foreign language. Perhaps unsurprisingly, it’s one of the 20 most spoken languages in the world.
Knowing a language that so many other people speak is very useful. First, the world of business, education, film, and literature will become much wider for you (more on that below). On top of that, learning German means you’ll have more opportunities for social connections, you’ll be able to get around various places more easily when you travel, you’ll have access to more websites (nearly 17 million) – and the list goes on.
Germany has the largest economy in Europe, and the fourth-largest in the world. That means that knowing German can be a huge advantage if you’re looking to advance your career or grow your business.
Becoming fluent in German will open the door to a variety of high-demand jobs in Germany, including software development, mechanical engineering, IT consulting, and product management. And if you’re looking to expand your existing business (especially online), it would be smart to set your sights on Germany.
If you don’t know anything about the education system in Germany, one thing worth noting is that it has some very highly rated universities. Knowing fluent German means you’ll be eligible for a high-quality post-secondary education.
But there’s more!
The tuition at most German universities is either free or very cheap. And yes, that includes international students. The only catch is that for many programs, you have to prove your fluency in German. How cool is that? If you’re interested in studying in Germany, Linogda can help you prepare! Our structured, CEFR-based curriculum and flexible learning plans allow you to progress confidently.
If you’ve ever tried to read a translated book or watch a subtitled movie, you know the experience can feel incomplete. To truly understand a story, it’s best to experience it in its original language. So why not immerse yourself in the best movies to learn German?
Germany has given the world some incredible films and literature, both classic and modern. From the books of Franz Kafka and Thomas Mann, the poems and plays by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe to the films of Fritz Lang (Metropolis) and Werner Herzog (Mein liebster Feind), learning German will open the door to a whole new world of fantastic media for you to enjoy.
German can be relatively easy to learn for English speakers, as both languages share common roots in the Germanic language family. A lot of German words are similar to English, making vocabulary acquisition more straightforward. Both languages follow similar grammatical structures in certain areas. While German has unique aspects like noun gender and compound words, English speakers often find they can pick up basic conversational skills quickly and reach A1 German.
Our answer is a big YES! We’ve gone through some great reasons to learn the German language, including having more career and educational prospects and enjoying some world-renowned entertainment. Hopefully, you’ve seen that it’s definitely worth it to learn German – no matter what you want to do with it. And the best part – Lingoda can help you. We offer a highly effective way to learn German with the guidance of certified, native-level teachers who provide real-time feedback to help you improve quickly. Our classes are available 24/7, making it easy to fit German lessons into any schedule, whether you’re balancing work, study, or family.
