Is There Really A Point Of Learning German?

Question

I keep hearing from various sources that citizens of Germany speak near-perfect English and don't like foreigners trying to speak German if it isn't perfect. I was thinking of studying the language in college so I could try it in Germany but after hearing this, I'm not sure if it'd be a good use of my time.

Any personal insight on this?

Answer 1

They DO NOT speak near perfect English, especially outside the big cities.  In the villages you'd have real problems to find people who'd understand you, especially in the Southwest, where French is the obligatory second language at school, not English.

And Germans. like most US Americans, like people at least to try and speak their language. They think it's rude and arrogant for visitors to assume that  the natives will speak their language, and just shout at them very loudly if they don't.

Apart from anything else, German literature is phantastic, and most translations don't do it justice.

Answer 2

It is true that we dont like perfect german.

But this is only true if u had 4 years german and still cant speak any correct sentence.

we expect the other to learn with a will

if u had some years german and cant speak any correct sentence then it shows you have no will and we wont apreciate it

If u are new then any effort will be apreciated

German is a very difficult language.If u dont need it in the future you should concentrate on something else

but if u must learn a foreign language then i would advise german or french

french is the language of the love and german is the language of the kings and knights..choose

Answer 3

What you need to take into account, other than whether Germans want you to learn their language are the following:

1. Whether you want to do it

2. How useful it would be

It is true that some Germans disapprove of you speaking their language if you've learnt it for a long time and still can't speak it, but they will give you a chance.

As well as this, not all Germans speak English, and I admire anyone who is English who learns a foreign language because to be honest, there aren't that many.

And finally, German isn't only spoken in Germany. It is spoken in Austria and Switzerland as well, and is useful in the world of business.

I hope this was useful.

Answer 4

For sure

After 18 years I taught myself with the  help of my friends and now I can have conversations and understand what is being said around me.

Sure many may speak English but just think here in the US do you not appreciate when a foreigner speaks English to you and not in another language first?  It makes a good impression and ice breaker that you are trying and it will get you far more help.

It is not true that they do not appreciate it if it is not perfect. The fact you try means a lot!!

Answer 5

I have been to germany and found this to be mostly true. Except for some older people everyone I encountered spoke good english. I only used it for ordering food and stuff.

A better and more practical language would be mandarin chinese.

Answer 6

well im teaching myself basic German for my trip there this summer. and i feel pretty good learning the language. its a conversation starter even in English. i just say something in Germany around a girl in school and they usually ask about it. i feel very happy learning the language. but i don't think i will know it as well as a college student studying it. so it might be a waste of time for you. but as for me, its makes me feel good and its a confidence booster. theres my personal insight.

Answer 7

While most Germans speak English well (I've been to Germany and Austria before), they do appreciate your trying to speak the local language. Like others have already said, Americans would not like it if people just tried speaking Spanish or French to them like they'd already understand.

Learning a second language (even German) is always useful. And since Germany's economy is pretty great, you should take advantage of this situation.

Answer 8

Most Germans do speak excellent English.Those who are still learning will want to practice their English on you.They do not appreciate and will not cooperate with any attempt you make to practice your German on them.You might want to at least learn a few German insults.It really gets to them when you insult them in their own language.They don't expect it.