Why learn German? Instead of the candid reply: 'why not', let us break down the irresistible benefits of learning German.While the reasons for learning German is clear for those who live in Europe, it's not as vivid for those living elsewhere. That's why today we'll share with you the 11 major benefits of learning German.
These benefits apply to you if you're an avid traveler, an ambitious professional, a friend/family member of a German speaker, and more. After going through this article, hopefully we'll convince you to go from 'should I learn German?' to 'how can I learn German?'
Why Learn German?
We admit that German may not be the first language for most people that are seeking to learn a second or third language. The accents seem harsh, the culture is different, and if you're living in the US, you can't imagine how often you'll be using German.
With over 230 million speakers around the world, it's a force to be reckoned with. But that's just the start.Here are 11 major benefits of learning German.
1. German is the most spoken language in Europe
Most people think that Germany is the only country that speaks Germany. The facts are, German is the most spoken language in Europe. It is the official language of Austria, Switzerland, Luxembourg, and Liechtenstein. In addition, there are many other parts around Europe that speak German as a non-official language including Romania, Russia, eastern France, and more.
Some have said that Italian is a fast growing language to potentially take over German in the next decade, but that would be underestimating the power of German. Whether you plan to travel to Europe, live there, or go there for business, German would be top on the list of languages to prioritize.
2. English and German are in the same language family
Both English and German are part of the same language roots: Germanic family. While they separate out eventually, most people are surprised that German is more similar to English than French, or Spanish.
What does that mean?
It means learning German should technically be easy for English speakers like you. So don't be fooled by the different accents that Germans have, we share many of the same words that will shortcut your learning curve.
3. The go-to language in academia
If you identify yourself as an intellect of any kind, learning German should be top of your list. Not only are some of the greatest innovators from German, it's the second most commonly used language in the Science community.Who are some of these great innovators?
To start, Albert Einstein, Sigmund Freud, and Max Planck. In addition, you have the greatest composers like Mozart and Bach who spoke and composed in German. If you want to appreciate the works of these innovators in its original form, learning German would be step one.
4. Make more money by learning German
BMW, Benz, Volkswagon. These are just some of the globally recognized brands that are originally from Germany. As an economic powerhouse of Europe (and around the world), there are more career opportunities opening up in Germany.
Perhaps more relevant, businesses in the US are craving to hire and promote German speakers as they seek to make a bigger footprint in Germany and rest of Europe. As one of the few people that will likely speak German in your office, it's one of the best skills you can invest in to differentiate yourself from the crowded job market.
To prove this with real numbers, the Economist did a study comparing how much more money one can make depending on what language they learn. It's no surprise that German ranked #1, with an estimated 125,000 euros in bonus earnings.
5. Tap into a new Internet community online
Apart from English and Russian, the Internet is dominated by German as the third most used language online. Over 6% of the entire Internet is comprised of German.Sure you can stick with just using English, but there's a whole new world that you have the opportunity to discover when you can speak German.
6. Make more German friends anywhere you go
If there's one thing we can say about Germans is that they love to travel. No matter where you decide to vacation, from Asia to Australia, you'll spot German travelers or residents everywhere. One foolproof way to build stronger relationships if them is to speak German to them (or at least start the conversation there).
7. Expand your career opportunities like never before
As we mentioned before, new opportunities in the job market are popping up in Germany and around the world. As a country with one of the highest GDP's around the world, who wouldn't want to serve consumers that have money and resources to spend?This is why you'll see many offices expanding overseas or divisions dedicated to serving European customers. In a world where people are able to purchase or consume nearly anything online, you'll be gaining an advantage by speaking this popular language.
8. Berlin is one of the hottest cities for entrepreneurs
Virgin has recognized Berlin, Germany as one of the best startup hubs for entrepreneurs and job seekers. As one of the most international cities in Europe, Berlin is diverse, multicultural, and full of talented, creative, and ambitious talent. It also helps that the city is not majorly packed with 3.5 million residents, and it's much more affordable than other hotspots like San Francisco.If you're an existing business owner looking to expand to Europe or a job seeker seeking new opportunities, learn German.
9. Gain the confidence needed to learn more languages (or anything)
Beyond the direct benefits of learning German, the indirect benefits may be even more important. There's a feeling of internal confidence and even external validation that comes from learning any new language. But a seemingly unique one like German will give you the self-confidence to help you learn just about any new skill moving forward.
The next time you decide to learn guitar, start a business, or handle any difficult task, you'll remember: I've been through this before, and I succeeded.
10. One out of ten books are written in German
Based on the praise we gave in #3, it should come to no surprise that Germans love sharing knowledge. In terms of revenue alone, Germany is the top 3 publishing market, and for a country with a much smaller population compared to the USA and China, this is very impressive.
11. Live in a country with one of the highest standards of living
Looking to improve the quality of your life either now or for the future? When you combine the diversity, affordability, and thriving economy of Germany, it's no wonder that it's one of the top places to settle in the world. You have art, creativity, business, technology, and more all available in one place.
Also remember that a fellow German speaking country, Switzerland, is also ranked one of the top places to live in the world.
Your chance to share the major benefits of learning German
We hope you found this roundup useful to decide whether you should learn German. Now it's your turn, what are your favorite reasons that we share and please share some of your own below!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0Delsxdc-c