With around 100 million native speakers, German is the most widely spoken European language. It’s the official language in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Liechtenstein as well as a co-official one in Belgium and a segment of Poland.
If you want to learn German in London, there are a variety of options to choose from. The following are some of the most popular ways to do so.
What is German?
German is a Germanic language spoken by 95 million people in Germany and Austria, as well as by some communities in Belgium, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland. It is also the most widely taught second language in the world.
It has a more complex grammar than many other languages, and a complicated system of gendered nouns and articles. However, it is not as difficult to learn as people often think. It shares much of its vocabulary with English, and the sentence structures are very similar.
Germans are a practical, hard-working, and thoughtful people, and this is reflected in their culture. They are very good at organising and planning, which makes them excellent at business. They also care deeply about the environment and have one of the most extensive recycling systems in the world. For all these reasons, it is no surprise that Germans are often seen as serious and trustworthy. They are also known for their love of music and technology.
Why learn German?
As the second most common language spoken in the world, German has a large number of speakers and is an excellent choice for those looking to boost their career opportunities. The language is a key part of European culture, and learning it opens up travel and employment opportunities in Germany and other countries that speak German.
Speaking German also provides access to a rich cultural heritage. Whether you want to learn about Goethe, Kafka, and other literary figures, or enjoy the works of Beethoven, Bach, and Mozart, learning German allows you to experience these masterpieces in their original form.
If you’re an English speaker, learning German will be easier for you than you might think. There are a lot of words in the German language with an equivalent in English, so you won’t have to work as hard to understand the language. Besides, learning foreign languages is said to actually change the way you think.
How to learn German?
If you want to learn German but are unsure where to start, you can take advantage of online resources such as Duolingo and Babbel. These are free to use and provide a great way to get started with the language.
It is important to have a goal in mind when learning German, as it can help motivate you. This may be as simple as wanting to speak German for work or preparing for Oktoberfest, but whatever it is, it should be something that can keep you motivated over time.
It is also helpful to surround yourself with the language as much as possible, so try listening to music or podcasts in German when you’re commuting or doing housework. This will help you with pronunciation and get used to the rhythm of the language. Moreover, it will help you understand more of the idioms that don’t always make literal sense and can be difficult for non-native speakers to replicate.
Taking a German course in London
Whether you’re looking to enhance your professional career prospects or simply enjoy travelling abroad more, learning German is a valuable skill. Having language skills abroad will allow you to communicate with locals, improve your cultural understanding and make travel easier.
If you want to learn German at beginner or advanced levels, we offer group classes as well as intensive lessons. Our instructors will design your lesson according to your needs and goals.
Our ten-week evening courses will provide you with immersive learning from day one and help you develop your reading, writing and listening skills in a real world context. You will take part in conversational German from the very first session and you’ll build on your knowledge with every lesson. You’ll also be introduced to the more technical aspects of the language such as grammar constructs, modal verbs and pronunciation. This will make you feel confident in your abilities to speak German, wherever you are in the world.German courses London