9 Things to Know About Studying German – Your Questions Answered!
Are you interested in studying German? Are you wondering whether you could become fluent in less than a year? Do you want to get to know the German culture for real? If you replied yes to these questions, here are 9 things you need to know about studying the German language.
Cactus offers outstanding German language courses for adults and juniors. If you have any questions about any of our courses please call us on +44 1273 830 960 or contact us. Our team of multilingual experts will be happy to answer any questions you may have.
How do I start studying German?
Any second language learner knows how scary it can feel to start studying a new language. The best and the most effective option is to take a German course for beginners. This way you will see that you are not alone. Everyone else in the class will know pretty much nothing about the language, like you! Isn’t it exciting?!
We offer courses for beginners in various locations across Germany and in Austria. We also have options in the UK, in case you don’t feel ready for a full immersion programme yet. And if none of these options currently work for you, you can choose to take private classes with us. Pretty much anywhere in the world.
There are also some other ways to start studying a language. There are plenty of apps and websites which you can check here. Not only they are free, but very popular and you will learn some new words and useful expressions. Of course, a bilingual dictionary is a must for learning a new language. You can also download the German Language Kit with everyday expression you might need.
Why study German?
Well, not only does Germany have one of the coolest cities in Europe (Berlin), but German is also spoken in 3 different countries in Europe. It is the official language of the strongest business countries making speakers of the language that much more employable, and circa 15 million people speak it as their second language!Germany Courses in Germany.
Here are a few reasons why you should consider studying German:
✅ You can make friends with German speaking people, for real.
✅ You can experience the German culture from the point of view of an insider
✅ It would look great on your CV!
✅ It is in the same language family as English, you will be surprised to see how similar they are.
Where can I study German?
As mentioned, you could start learning German language online or in your home country. The best way is to immerse yourself in the language and spend time where people speak it on a daily basis. With our immersion programmes you can study German in a wide range of locations.
If you decide to go and learn German at one of our schools in Germany, you will not regret it!
How do I learn German fast?
If you want to learn German fast, we recommended a full immersion programme. You will not only learn the language in a traditional classroom setting, but you will get the chance to meet German speakers in real life situations. Also, you will listen to other people speaking, to the radio, the tv, the announcements on the train and so on. In other words, you will have the possibility to practise your newly acquired skills in the real world. Learning a language in the country where it is spoken is the best and quickest way to do it.
Some people prefer to start with an online course. Then try an immersion programme when they feel ready, which is also a great option.
Can I learn German in 6 months?
Every language can be acquired in under a year, to a certain extent. No second language learner will tell you that it is an easy task. You will need to put in a lot of effort and if you truly commit yourself you can reach your goal in under a year.
The level of German you have when you start will also determine how much you can progress. If you are a complete beginner you could get to an intermediate level in around 6 months. Another influencing factor is your native language. Everybody can become fully proficient in any language, but it might take a little bit more time and effort for those whose native language is very different from German. In any case, the most important factor is your dedication and commitment.
Taking a course that offers 20 to 30 sessions per week will increase your progression rate. In addition to that, you should try to practise your skills every day, therefore it really helps to be in a German speaking environment.
So, to reach your goals you have to be a little bit strict with yourself but don’t forget to have fun while you are at it!
How do I become fluent in German?
You will need patience as well as time and consistency. It’s also important to recognise that in order to learn you will have to make mistakes. The more mistakes you make, the more you will learn from your mistakes, and the quicker you will progress.
You can also practise with German speaking friends. If they speak English (which they probably will) ask them to make the effort to speak only in German with you for one or two hours of the time you spend together. Some of them may have the tendency to switch to English. Be patient and remind them that it is very important for you to practise your German as much as possible. Don’t be afraid to ask them to slow down a little if you don’t understand and to repeat if you need them to. After a while you will find speaking in German with them becomes easier and feels natural.
You can also watch German TV, especially kids TV shows and cartoon. YouTube videos are also great and you can start listening to music in German. There is a great variety of ways for you to practise German and get closer to your goals.
If you do all this in addition to a German Course in a German speaking country, you will see some pretty amazing results within 6 months.
Is it too late for me to start learning German?
No, it is never too late to start learning a language! Yes, is appears to be easier for children to acquire new language skills but no study has even shown that older adults cannot become fluent in a new language! And, it is never too late for new experiences, to meet people with similar interests. It is never too late to study German.
You choose how, when and where to study German. Studying German can be fun and at Cactus we ensure that all of our courses guarantee progression but also that the process is fun and enjoyable. Otherwise you will not achieve the results you want.
Often your attitude towards the language will affect your results. Much more so than your age! To make learning even more enjoyable we offer some 50 plus courses dedicated to the students over the age of 50. They combine the language classes with cultural and recreational activities, to enhance your experience and to learn more about the foundations of the language and the culture of the country, as well as the language.
So many German courses! Which one should I go for?
Well, that is a question that only you can answer. We have a wide variety of courses for different types of students. Depending on your goals and the time you can commit to the process of learning a new language.
If you don’t have much time, the best option is our private classes, which are tailor-made to your needs and goals and are timetabled to fit in around your schedule. Alternatively, if you want to learn with others you can take an evening language course in the UK.
However, if you have more time, the best idea would be an immersion course in a German Speaking country. We have standard and intensive courses from 15 to 30 lessons per week. This means you can spend your free time practising your German, making friends and have conversations with those who live there.
It’s also a great opportunity to enjoy other activities during your stay in a German speaking country. Take a cookery class, or a dance course or watch a sporting event live! Anything that can help you meet more people and discover the culture will provide you with more chances to use German in real life situations.
What about studying German online?
It is possible to study all levels of German with a real life tutor via our virtual classroom environment. Online lessons operate along the same lines as the face to face classes with student to student interaction, speaking practice and clarification from the tutor. Online courses are a great way to continue your language learning from the comfort of your own home. You can study anytime, anywhere, with online lessons.
Are you looking to start studying German? Do you dream about exploring Germany whilst learning the language? Cactus offers a variety of excellent German language courses for adults and German language camps for juniors, for those looking to start an immersive language experience.
Studying German with Cactus is just the beginning! Going away soon? These Basic German Phrases will help you on your way and you can also Download our FREE German Language Kit .
How to Book a German course and start studying German?
Please check our How to Book page for more information on the simple secure and easy online booking process. Check the link to find more information about any of our German courses – 9 Things to Know About Studying German.
For information on the 9 things to know about studying German or German courses, please call us on +44 (0) 1273 830 960 or contact us. Our multilingual team will be happy to answer any question you may have before you start a summer adventure.
Cactus language offers the following types of language courses:
Evening language courses: 23 different languages in 11 UK locations
Language holidays: worldwide immersion courses in the country of the language
Junior language camps: immersion programmes for children and teens across the world
Private tuition: tailor-made and corporate language training solutions throughout the world
TEFL: teacher training courses for both English and other languages all over the world
Online courses: 23 languages online and for teacher training