Germany is booming as one of the coolest and most attractive places for young, talented students and professionals across the world. As an expat in Germany, knowing the German language not only eases your way of integration into German society but also improves your career opportunities to a great extent. Also, not to forget, most university programmes, among them the top ones, are taught in German and not accessible without knowledge of the German language. This article helps you understand the necessity of knowing the language and guides you through the various steps and challenges on your way to learn and master Deutsch.
The Importance of knowing the German language as a student
Knowledge of German language as a student in Germany is essential and this is an understatement in fact. The language proficiency comes in handy in all the situations of your life in Germany. Be it daily life activities such as shopping or travelling, making friends and integration in the German culture, entering the job market as a working student, or finding an internship to securing your permanent residency.
Be it a city, town, or a village, it is best when you can communicate in German in the local restaurants, commutes, and tourist locations. Also, in case you are eligible for a working student job – which in our opinion is an advantage and an opportunity to fulfil your financial requirements and network – the knowledge of German is of high importance. This holds true if you are applying for a part-time job at the local grocery store or at a bigger industry of your choice. And if you have fallen in love with the country and want to make it your second home, then bureaucracy, of course, requires that you have a minimum of German language skills to be granted a permanent residence permit.
German language requirements for a student visa
Based on the course you select as a student, you will have to prove your German language skills to secure your student visa. There are broadly two categories in this.
- If your course is to be conducted entirely in English, you will receive a letter from the university confirming that you do not need to know German to enrol and complete the course. In this case, you can submit your visa application without proof of language skills
- If your degree programme is conducted in German, you must submit a certificate of German language proficiency at least at B1 level, which you have received from a recognised institute, for your visa application. Do not be surprised if the visa officer asks you a question of two in German during your interview, which can happen in some cases. Make sure that you inform yourself about the student visa requirements on time.
Methods of learning German
Goethe Institute – German language competence all around the world
Goethe Institutes are the pride of German language education and not only promote language learning but also encourage international cultural exchange. They are present in over 90 countries and offer courses for students in various fragments, levels, batches, modules, and mediums – both offline and online. Due to their widespread offices and the online offering, you can already kickstart your German skills while still in your home country. You can also practice German free of charge with their diverse selection of online exercises and in the Goethe Community. Find out about opportunities for professional development and materials for German learning here.
Please note that many of their courses have limited availability. So, inform yourself thoroughly about the course you are interested in is recommended.
DAAD language courses – specifically tailored towards international students
The German Academic Exchange Service or DAAD (German: Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst), founded in 1925, is the largest German support organisation in the field of international academic cooperation. DAAD offers fantastic opportunities for students to learn German through their seminars, webinars and workshops conducted throughout the year. The latest seminars can be viewed here.
Deutsch perfekt: Learning German the fun way
Designed specifically for language-learners, this German magazine offers training materials, articles, and news on most relevant topics. Special vocabulary is explained in a box next to the articles, to make you enhance your learning experience. With the help of that, you can expand your vocabulary, learn grammar, and discover peculiarities of living in Germany.
You can find more information about Deutsch perfekt directly on their website.
10 career benefits you will get from learning German | Fintiba x Deutsch perfekt
This webinar presents you the German language world as a study and (maybe future) work destination – including all its opportunities and challenges. Learn why it’s worth it to study the German language.
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Five tips to learn German
We have collected some of the proven steps for German language learners and collected the top 5 tips for you.
- Read the newspaper each day. This habit gives you the opportunity to understand the difference between business and casual use of the German language. An additional benefit of this is that you always know what is going on around you 😊
- Listen to German radio. German radio stations are very popular among natives. From the latest news to traffic updates, the radio jockeys show a variety of German language usage.
- Start shoptalk early. The best thing about learning German in Germany is that the natives offer tremendous encouragement and support during your learning curve. Start practising small sentences in supermarkets, restaurants, bars, and commutes. Practice is the key to perfection.
- Travel around Germany. Germany boasts of variety and diversity across the country. While travelling through Deutschland, you not only experience the cultures, traditions and history but also listen to the various dialects of German, which are very interesting to listen to and fun to learn.
- Watch your favourite shows in German. Watch your all-time favourite series and movies in German, for example, Friends, Breaking Bad etc. It is an advantage, especially when you know the dialogues in English, as you will be able to correlate the German translation quite easily and learn new words and sentences each time. Plus, the German voice actors usually do a tremendous job voicing your beloved characters.
Learn German – It will be worth it
Learning is always an experience. Be sportive and learn the language with as many fun tools as possible. The more you enjoy the process, the easier it becomes. This article has emphasised the importance of German language for an expat both in personal life and in accelerating your career in Deutschland. Viel Spaß mit der deutschen Sprache!
Get free language learning offers within the Fintiba Plus package
Our Fintiba Plus package not only includes the required blocked account and health insurances for your visa and residence permit but also provides you with a free German learning offer. Check out our offer and secure yourself a free three-month subscription to the famous magazine “Deutsch perfekt”.
The Fintiba Companion: Guiding your way to Germany step-by-step
Never miss an important step on your journey to Germany. From preparing your university application to mastering your visa application and navigating through daily life in Germany – the Fintiba Companion provides you with relevant information throughout all important stages of your German adventure within a comprehensive checklist – tailored to your individual situation.
Last update: March 10, 2023