Learning a new language increases one’s employability and career prospects. This is well-known. But there are so many other benefits to learning a new language!
German is one of the best languages to learn for so many reasons we will get into in this article. But for many, it can seem like a daunting language, and even the idea of signing up for classes feels like a challenge.
How do I find a German tutor? How can I learn German at home? What benefits are there to learning German? How can I be an effective student?
If you are looking for a fun, rewarding language that can open new doors for you all over the world, then read on and find out why you should study German.
Establish Your Why
First things first: why are you pursuing German?
If you do not have a compelling reason to be absorbed in your studies, you will most likely find it extremely challenging to be a good student.
Whether it’s for fun, for immigration, for studies, for your career, or simply to be able to enjoy German media, your reason needs to be strong enough for you to overcome frustrations and challenges.
University Studies
Did you know that tuition at almost every university in Germany is completely free? Even for international students! And the universities that do charge tuition cost about 3,000 Euro (INR2,43,768.00) per year. This might sound like a lot, but the average cost of tuition in India is anywhere between 4 and 20 lakh for a top-tier program!
Although the free-tuition German universities also charge for things like enrollment and administrative fees, it is still extremely affordable; and allows you to study in Germany, adding valuable experiences to your life and CV.
In order to study in Germany, you need to be proficient enough in either German or English so that you can understand the professors. And, although it’s not necessarily a requirement to know German, you might be missing out on valuable information if you don’t know at least the basics!
“The German language is so sonorous, isn't it? Beautiful language...the language of poetry. Angry, angry poetry.”
―
Career Moves
Germany has a culture of paying well and providing residents with valuable benefits. If you are able to work in Germany, you can become part of that culture.
Having a good job in Germany can guarantee you a healthy salary (check online for average salaries for your industry), as well as access to social programs that ensure a comfortable quality of life.
Even if you do not plan to work in Germany, you can still advance your career by knowing German. There are so many influential German-based companies in just about every industry that knowing German can allow you to build relationships with renowned companies and experts worldwide.
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Furthermore, if you are an entrepreneur, Germany is booming for startups. It’s a receptive market ready for the next big thing, which you can provide!
Lastly, there is a plethora of information that is available only in German. Think of all the engineers, artists, scientists, and more who used the German language. Their lines of thinking live on in other German speakers today, and you can gain access to it by learning the language.
For Fun and Leisure
If you are an art and literature lover, then you will love having the ability to enjoy a whole new variety of media as a German speaker.
Germans are not only known historically as engineers and doctors but also as great writers and musicians. To truly understand the inspiration and meaning behind their works, you are best off learning the language they were thinking in when they made the piece. You’ll have a better understanding of the culture and its true meaning.
Or perhaps you’re more interested in modern German interactions. German is the 4th most abundant language found on the internet. There is a whole world of books, TV and movies, music, and more that only appears in German! By knowing the language, you can also socialize with other German speakers from all over the world and make new connections.
And of course, a vacation in the area of Europe anywhere near Germany will be so much more enhanced if you can speak and read the language! You’ll be able to veer away from the beaten tourist path and find hidden gems with the confidence that comes with being able to communicate with anyone you see.
Finding A Tutor
The best way to succeed in your German language studies is to ensure you have a good tutor. Every student has a unique learning style, and finding a tutor who can teach in that style is key.
There are many different requirements to consider when selecting a tutor, but here are a few of the key ones to consider:
Budget
Depending on your budget, there are a few different paths to pursue when looking for a tutor.
A private tutor who is not associated with a specific institution typically costs between INR100 and INR600 per hour, depending on their level of experience.
Whereas a tutor who is certified with a specific institute might cost INR1000 per hour or more.
There are apps and at-your-own-pace courses online that will cost considerably less since you don’t receive the same personalized care that you would with a tutor. These vary widely in price according to the program, but some can be as low as INR500 per month.
Finally, there is the free method. You will not be able to have any private instruction, but you can still learn quite a bit on your own! Use various internet sources, including YouTube, dictionaries, and forums to help you pick up the basics. Some apps also have free versions so you can still have a guide in your language journey.
”Nicht in die ferne Zeit verliere dich! Den Augenblick ergreife. Nur er ist dein.“
Translation: “Don’t lose yourself in distant times! Seize the moment. Only that is yours.”
– Johann Christoph Friedrich von Schiller, German writer
Availability
Of course, it’s obvious that you need to ensure that you and your tutor are both available at the same time. If you sign up for an in-person tutor who will come to your home, you will need to ensure that any other housemates know that they need to be mindful during that time.
If you need to travel to your tutor’s location, ensure you take your commute into account when setting up the time.
And if you select a third location, like a cafe, be sure to have a backup location in case your usual place is suddenly unavailable.
If you are using an online tutor, ensure you have access to a reliable internet connection at the time you need it. Again, this might mean traveling to another location with wifi - and be sure to have a backup location! Check your connection at least 15 minutes before the meeting begins to make sure everything is working properly.
Teaching Method
It’s important that your and your tutor’s personalities mesh well. If you need an authoritative tutor who won’t hesitate to let you know if you aren’t performing as well as you should be, you’ll want to make sure your tutor can deliver.
Oppositely, make sure to not choose a tutor like that if you are more sensitive and need a gentle guide to help you learn.
On top of that, be sure that your tutor teaches the kind of lessons you need, whether it’s beginner, advanced, intensive, refresher, test prep, or business vocabulary.
Performing the Search
Depending on what’s most important to you, you need to weigh these three factors in order from most important to least important.
If you have a strict budget, only search for teachers within that budget. If you have strict availability, that will be your #1 priority. If you need to learn a certain type of German (like business German) then you will need to ensure you find teachers who offer that skill set.
Luckily, you can search by all these criteria and more on Superprof. Find online and in-person German tutors near you who fit all of your needs at once!
It’s easy to find German classes in Bangalore.
German Courses
A private tutor will obviously be able to spend more time with you one-on-one, but sometimes you need a different type of education.
Courses can offer certificates of completion that are recognized by international organizations. This means that you will have a weighty token of your graduation from the program. It might be more difficult to find a private tutor who can offer the same type of guarantee, but it’s not impossible!
There are many institutions that offer intensive, immersive, and specified German language courses.
DAAD (Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst) scholarships to study in Germany are offered to German and international students of all levels, as well as academics and researchers.
-TopUniversities.com
Certification
If you pursue a course in German, ensure that the institute you choose adheres to a curriculum based on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
An institution that does not have the proper certification is likely overpriced and will not be a good investment, since any certificate you earn will not mean very much.
Test Prep
If you simply need a course that will help you prepare to pass a test like the Test DAF or the DSH for University, or ZDfB, Widaf, and BULATS for business, you can find a course that is created specifically for these reasons.
These courses might run about INR22,500-28,000 for the entire program.
You can also simply take an exam practice test to see if you would be benefitted from the exam course, which can cost around INR12,000.
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What You’re Gaining
To reassure you that you are making the best choice, let’s talk about some of the mental and physical benefits of learning German.
Mental
It’s obvious that learning a new skill exercises the brain and makes you more intelligent. But, did you know can also delay the onset of diseases like Alzheimer’s?
Activating the brain in new ways creates stronger brain function that can slow down the aging process.
You can also feel the mental benefits of learning how to think in new patterns and understand others more innately. The brain skills used to understand how a new language works also makes you a better communicator to people in the language(s) you already know!
Physical
Studying something as complex as a language long enough to really understand it is a long process. Along the way, you will gain advantageous habits that allow you to learn effectively, and which you can keep with you to apply to learning anything else you come across!
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Your ability to remain attentive in order to absorb information well will increase, as will your time-management skills. The process of learning the language will also strengthen your self-discipline and dedication abilities.
And of course, knowing another language boosts your confidence!
However you choose to learn German, know that you are paving the way for great success in your future. There are no downsides to knowing how to communicate with more of the world!
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