German

Why Study German?

Learning a foreign language will open new opportunities to you: studying abroad, employment options, and learning about cultures other than your own. Studying foreign languages can change your life. Our graduates use their skills in verbal interpretation and analysis, critical thinking, and solving complex problems to succeed in diverse roles in the public and private sectors. Here are some key reasons why you should study German:

German is in High Demand

German is the most widely spoken native language in the European Union and the first language of nearly 100 million people around the world. Another estimated 100 million people speak German as a second or foreign language. Germany’s central location in Europe and strong economy make it vital in today’s world. The rich history of the German language and culture – including the culture of Austria and German-speaking Switzerland – make it central to understanding the past and shaping the future.

Studying German Can Enhance Your Career

Did you know that knowledge of German can give you an average salary boost of 4%, compared with a 2% boost for knowledge of Spanish?  In practical terms, learning German opens doors in both your professional and personal life. Knowledge of German increases your options in nearly any profession, helping you acquire a range of skills that are likely to enhance the quality of both your professional and private life.

Germany is a Leader in Science, Innovation, and Design

Germany is the third largest contributor to research and development in scientific fields, with a history of offering research fellowships to scientists from abroad. After English, German is the second most commonly used scientific language and the second most widely used language on websites. In addition to leading the world in environmentally friendly technology and sustainability, Germany is at the forefront of the design field with innovations in architecture, the automotive industry, product development, consumer goods, information technology, visual communications, and media. It ranks fifth in terms of annual publication of new books, with one tenth of the world’s books (including e-books) published in German.

Germany is at the Center of Europe and Beyond

The largest nation in the European Union in terms of both population and economy, Germany has set the stage for recent European history and the current scenario of complex international decision-making. After the United States, Germany is the second most popular migration destination in the world. Learning German encourages you to travel not only to German-speaking countries, but also to the many other European countries where German is widely spoken, especially in Eastern Europe, but also in several countries in Africa, Asia, and South America.

You will explore German Culture

With knowledge of German, you will not only learn to read German literature in the original language but access a wide range of sources for studies in a wide range of fields, including art history, philosophy, music, photography, graphic arts, design, theater, film, dance, music, and architecture. Germany is home to more than 3,000 museums, which are visited by more than 100 million people each year.