Learning languages is fun, it trains your memory and looks good on your CV. Also there are plenty of reasons and opportunities to learn and apply German:
German and English are both Germanic languages and thus have a lot in common
Numerous words are pronounced the same or similarly in English and German (e.g. Hand, Museum, Telefon, Musik, Tourist, Haus, Maus, Finger, Glas…)
German is the official language in Germany, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein and Switzerland
Worldwide there are around 130 million native German speakers and around 1.5 million people in 42 countries belong to a German-speaking minority
In the EU, German is the mother tongue of almost 20 per cent of its citizens and is therefore the most widely spoken first language in the EU.
In addition, over 10 per cent of Europeans speak German as a foreign language. This puts German in second place after English among speakers in Europe and also as a scientific language
Goethe-Institut
The Goethe-Institut is the leading organisation for promoting knowledge of German language and culture. The opportunities for learning at the Goethe-Institut are versatile and advanced, ranging from language courses to social media and much more.
Practise German free of charge
On the website Practise German free of charge you will find interesting articles and resources for every language level – you can improve your German language skills with the help of Deutschtrainer apps, online games, video sequences, podcasts and many other exercises.
Books, newspapers and films are great resources for learning German, in the digital library Onleihe you can borrow German-language e-books, audiobooks, magazines, newspapers and films for free.
Are you about to sit your A-Level or Advanced Higher German exam and would like to enhance your knowledge of cultural topics? Here are some useful links to German-language websites about the German language and society:
Would you like to improve your German with the help of a language course? In addition to courses and exams for adults, the Goethe-Institut in Glasgow and London also offer certificates and online lessons for young learners.
In addition to the Goethe-Institut, there are a number of other providers such as BBC, Deutsche Welle, Zeit Sprachen, Tandem and Co. with creative online teaching offers. From learning exercises and German news to apps and podcasts, there is something for everyone here.
BBC
The free of charge learning platform Bitesize offers great learning videos and exercises, sorted by grade and subject. The resources will help you with your German homework and exams.
Journalism in combination with language training – the website Deutsch Perfekt provides you with a selection of texts, exercises and audio samples to expand your German language skills.
This free online platform is addressed to motivated German learners who would like to improve their language skills. You can choose your courses depending on the language level and topic. In addition to grammar, games and audiovisual materials, you will also receive practical information about living and working in Germany and Austria.
Deutsche Welle (DW) is the international broadcaster of the Federal Republic of Germany. Here you will find a wide range of activities to improve your German skills. You can find slowly spoken news, online German courses, listening tasks, videos, podcasts and much more. Deutsche Welle can also be found on Instagram, TikTok and other social networks.
Would you like to learn German flexibly on the go? Then try the free podcasts from CoffeeBreak Languages. The topics are explained slowly and easily comprehensible depending on your language level in German and English.
With this language learning app, you can talk to tandem partners from all over Germany and improve each other's language skills via text message, audio and video chat. Download the app and register for free. You can choose your tandem partner based on language, location and interests.
With Duolingo, you can practise your German spelling and listening comprehension in a playful way. You undergo different levels and collect experience points. Once you have completed all the exercises of one level, you can then move on to the next one.
