Why learn German?

• Germany is an economic powerhouse, the largest economy in the European Union, and the fourth largest economy in the world
• Business Opportunities: Many global companies have a strong presence in Germany and most leading German companies operate in the US; German language competency is a sought-after skill when these companies hire
• German companies, such as BASF, Bayer, and Siemens, have a strong presence in Texas; Texas is Germany’s top trading partner in the US. Houston is central to German businesses in industries like energy, logistics, and medicine.
• Germany is a leader in technology, engineering, and scientific research.
• Educational opportunities: Germany has world-class universities and tuition is free; German universities and the German government sponsor many educational opportunities for undergraduates, graduate students, and post-docs
• Germany and the German-speaking countries have a rich cultural tradition reflected in music (think Beethoven, Mozart, Bach but also Techno), in literature (think Kafka, Goethe, Thomas Mann), in philosophy (think Kant, Hegel, Nietzsche), in architecture (the Bauhaus movement, for example), in the visual arts, in theater, opera, and in film. Grimms fairy tales have inspired many Disney movies and German influence on American popular culture and food can be seen in the “hamburger,” “sauerkraut,” “bratwurst” and the very Texan “chicken-fried steak” which has its origins in “Schnitzel.”
• Other popular German, Austrian, and Swiss imports (products and ideas!) include Haribo gummy bears, Kinderschokolade, cars (Audi, Mercedes, Porsche, VW, and BMW), the Teddy bear, the Christmas tree, health insurance, kindergarten, Oktoberfest, Rolex watches, Lindt chocolates, Weizenbier, Adidas and Puma sportswear, Nivea cosmetics, Birkenstock sandals, and so much more.
• Tourism: the German speaking-countries are a favorite tourist destination for travelers from the US; German tourism is a major contributor to the US economy (Germany is the sixth largest country of origin for foreigners visiting the US)
• German and English are related languages that share a common root. English-speaking learners of German will find many familiar-sounding words such as Bruder/brother, Mutter/mother, Buch/book, Katze/cat, Haus/house, Wasser/water and will be relieved to find out that unlike English, German has a reliable, regular spelling and pronunciation system.

Transferrable Career Skills

Learning a new language has significant benefits beyond acquiring the ability to communicate and connect with people in the new language. This is an important skill in and of itself that puts you at an advantage professionally and that will most definitely enrich your personal like. But you will also gain cultural insights, both on the new culture and on your own, as you step outside the familiar. By learning German you will enhance your communication and critical thinking skills. Other cognitive benefits of learning a new language include enhanced adaptability, tolerance for ambiguities, enhanced problem-solving skills, and, of course, resilience. Language learning also boosts creativity. These are skills that employers value and seek out in their new hires!

For more information on how language learning changes your brain (for the better), take a look at this blog.

For more information on why adaptability is an important and desired career booster, take a look at this brief synopsis.

Take a look at this worksheet provided by UH Career Services to identify additional transferrable skills you are developing in your classes.