The German language for studying in Germany

Which language is better, German or English?

German generally gives its non-native speakers an initial impression of a complex language that takes an eternity to master. You may have heard of a poem by Mark Twain that scares many people learning German:

"If he had known what it cost me to acquire my art, he would also have known that it would break any collector to buy it. [...] A person who has not studied German can have no idea of what a bewildering language it is". He also cited several examples like "Adjektiv-Deklination", "Kasus", "Geschlecht" to explain how horrible this language is. "If it is to remain as it is, it must be gently and respectfully laid aside among the dead languages, for only the dead have time to learn it."

While this may be true, at least for grammar, we just want to tell you that there is nothing you cannot do if you work hard! Look at the people around you, your German teacher, and the former students who come from your home country — they also went through these difficulties and managed to master this language! Don't you want to become like them in the future?

Besides the grammar examples cited by Mark Twain and mentioned in this article, there must be many other reasons why German is still considered a complicated language. One of them, for example, is pronunciation. Most learners are used to the "soft" pronunciation of English. So it is difficult for them to change their way of speaking another foreign language. But you might find that after 2 years of practice, you will reach a certain level and find the method that works for you to speak German. Another reason should be the "false friends" between German and English, which will confuse you, especially at the beginning of learning German. You will know exactly what we mean if you see the following examples:

• das Gymnasium = secondary school ; le gymnase = die Turnhalle
• brav = well-behaved ; brave = tapfer
• das Baiser = meringue ; le baiser = der Kuss
• das Büro = office (the room, the place) ; le bureau = der Schreibtisch
• hier = here ; hier = yesterday

Of course, these two languages cannot be compared so simply with just a few sentences. As an experienced German learner, I can say that it is difficult to start learning the German language, but once you get used to the pronunciation and grammatical structure of this language, you will find German easier and easier. Moreover, it will be easier to learn German if you have a good foundation in English, because these two languages are very similar. After one year of learning German, you will thank yourself for your wise decision!

Can I study in Germany without the German language?

Yes, it is possible to study in Germany without German

Many students wonder if it is necessary to speak German to live and study in Germany. To answer this question, we checked whether there is the possibility to study in Germany in English: in Germany there are 66 specialized fields in 215 German universities, spread across more than 154 cities, offering approximately 2,000 programs in English. This means that, without German language skills, it is still possible to attend your desired German universities.

Tip: Visit the EDUBAO university portal to check if your university offers programs in English and what degrees must be submitted for your university application.

But what about life in Germany? Will there be difficulties living in Germany without speaking German? According to statistics, the number of Germans who don't speak English increases with age: Only 3.1% of people between 20 and 29 years old don't speak English, while 39.4% of people between 60 and 69 years old say they don't know English; among people over 70 years old, this figure reaches 56.9%. So there won't be major language skill problems if you are surrounded by rather young people in Germany. However, the following two points must also be taken into account:

Administrative procedures in Germany: an international student must complete certain bureaucratic procedures after arriving in Germany, for example with the health insurance company to activate their health insurance, the residence registration office to declare their residence address, the foreigners' registration office to extend their student visa, etc. If some employees don't speak English, which happens quite often, especially in small German towns, your procedures will be complicated. EDUBAO suggests you learn a few basic words in German in case this happens to you.

Job search: during their studies in Germany, many international students consider working part-time to reduce the financial burden on their parents. Without knowledge of German, it will be difficult to find part-time jobs, and even some small jobs like being a waiter in restaurants also require knowledge of German. If you plan to stay in Germany after graduation, the German language is also an asset to increase your chances of finding a job there. With the exception of positions requiring less communication, such as software engineering, or positions at an international company where employees communicate in English, German skills are always required for your application. Even if some positions only require English, you will also see that "German is a plus" in the job description.

So EDUBAO suggests you learn German even if you don't need it for your studies. There are more and more interesting ways to learn German, especially when you come to live in Germany and are surrounded by an authentic language environment.

What level should your German be for everyday life and academic life?

For everyday life, it is not necessary to speak advanced German, but basic conversation is already sufficient. Being able to speak German, you can settle in faster, make more friends, or participate in more programs or workshops that can only be conducted in German. You will be able to communicate more effectively and, above all, you will have the chance to discover the country from a different angle than the one you know through English. By speaking the language, you engage more deeply with the culture, which allows you to establish a personal connection with the country.

As for academic activities, it all depends on whether you are following a course in English or in German. If the former only requires you to be excellent in English, the latter is much more demanding in terms of German language skills. You will need advanced German and, most of the time, academic German. As a student who has completed secondary education, you must take the testAS, after which your German must be certified at least at B1 level. However, it is difficult to study in a foreign language, so the more familiar you are with the language, the better you will study.

Note: German dialects — don't be shocked when you arrive in Germany

Dialects are part of all spoken languages in the world. Dialects can be reflected in pronunciation, rhythm, or word usage. For example, Bavaria, Hamburg, the Rhineland, and Berlin all speak independently of each other. You will get to know the regional variations by talking to local residents. Instead of being afraid of not understanding German dialects, be excited because, through these different dialects, you can discover interesting aspects of the German language.

Also, don't worry about dialects becoming a huge communication obstacle at the beginning. Although they may sometimes forget to speak to you in Hochdeutsch (standard German), most Germans will try to do so because they know you are a foreigner. Everything takes time and practice, so relax and try to get used to the German language in your region quickly. Don't be afraid of making mistakes, because they are part of every learning process.

German language level: Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)

According to the CEFR, the German language can be divided into 6 levels in total. CEFR stands for "Gemeinsamer europäischer Referenzrahmen für Sprachen", which translates as "Common European Framework of Reference for Languages". It is a common framework used in Europe to define the language levels of European languages, including English, German, Italian, Spanish, etc. There are 3 levels: A, B, and C — level A is basic and level C is advanced. Each level is divided into 2 sub-levels: A1, A2; B1, B2; C1, C2. This framework is always used in many articles about the German language to describe language skills.

You have often heard that B1 is the starting level for studying in Germany. But what is the B1 level and how do you know if your German is at this level? The answer is in the following paragraph, which is a detailed description of the CEFR.

Note: As a student who has completed secondary education, you must take the testAS, after which your German must be certified at least at B1 level. However, it is difficult to study in a foreign language, so the more familiar you are with the language, the better you will study. At this point, more preparation is necessary for you to reach B2 level. And to be more practical, C1 level is strongly recommended. At C1 level, you can easily convey your ideas in any situation and engage in your new learning environment where you will be surrounded by native speakers and complex terminologies. For some German universities and certain study programs (particularly humanities study programs), C1 level in German is a "requirement" for your university application, if you wish to study in German.

Conclusion

If you want to study in English, there is no problem, because Germany offers a whole range of degree programs that are in English. However, it would be better to know the basics of the German language for everyday conversations outside of campus. In the next article, you will learn more about German language certificates and some tips for learning German well. So, stay tuned for our article and have fun learning German!