Have you ever considered learning German?

Without a doubt, is learning German an excellent investment in both your personal and professional lives. Some popular reasons why people begin to learn German is to speak with a German family, preparing for an exchange program at a German institution and for a holiday in Germany. However, there are many other good reasons to learn German that many people do not even consider. Here are some that come to mind: 

Germany has the largest population of all European countries and languages are widely internationally. Learning German can connect you with 120 million native speakers around the world, and you will be surprised to learn that German is the 3rd most popular foreign language taught worldwide. Learning German will give you the opportunity to communicate with the German-speaking world over and not only Germans, Austrians and Swiss in their respective countries. 

Germany has one of the strongest economies and is one of the world's largest exporting nations. Germany's international trade performance is proof of the strong demand for German goods. Knowing German creates many business opportunities, not only in Germany but also internationally. Given Germany's commitment to innovation, it is perhaps not surprising that two thirds of the world's leading international trade fairs take place in Germany. 

With ample disposable income and an average of 6 weeks of vacation a year, the German is both time and money to travel. In 2007, Germans spent a record 91 trillion euros on international travel. It is understandable that the best way to exploit the German tourism industry is to speak the language. 

Do not be fooled into believing that the German language is dying. 1 out of 10 books in the world, is available in German, which is further proof that Germany is a land of scientists and academics. Since some of these books have been translated into English, is the only way to take advantage of this information is to learn German. 

German-speaking countries have a very rich heritage. Germans are known for their writers, classical musicians and great philosophers. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Thomas Mann, Franz Kafka and Hermann Hess are just a few writers whose names and works are known internationally. The philosophies of Kant, Hegel, Marx, Nietzsche and many others have had a lasting influence on modern society. Knowing German gives you access to the works of these people in their original languages, giving you a more thorough assessment of their work. Whether you are interested in cultural and intellectual heritage of these countries or not, the fact is that Switzerland, Austria and Germany all offer a very high standard of living, which makes them very attractive for many people. 

You are probably thinking this is all very well, but the German is too difficult to learn. Well you're wrong! If English is your native language, so you already have a huge advantage when it comes to learning German. Modern German and modern English both evolved from the common ancestor of Germanic languages. Also, when you learn the German system of sounds, it's easy to predict how the spoken word is written, and how words are pronounced. Apart from learning German can be lots of fun, especially if you make use of resources like this for free to learn German pod cast.