{"id":81841,"date":"2020-09-28T15:43:54","date_gmt":"2020-09-28T15:43:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/staging.expatinfodesk.com\/?page_id=81841"},"modified":"2024-02-09T07:41:50","modified_gmt":"2024-02-09T07:41:50","slug":"language","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.expatinfodesk.com\/destinations\/berlin\/language\/","title":{"rendered":"Language Guide – Berlin"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row type=”container” padding_top=”” padding_bottom=”” el_class=”three-top-tips” css=”.vc_custom_1599875304748{margin-left: 0px !important;border-right-width: 0px !important;padding-right: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;border-right-color: #ffffff !important;}”][vc_column width=”2\/3″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Language Guide for Expats<\/h2>\n

Despite the fact that the German language does resemble English, for the majority of language students, German is the hardest of the Western European languages to learn. If you are a first-time learner of a foreign language, or if you have only studied Romance Languages, you might find it takes longer than you had anticipated to get up to speed in German.<\/p>\n

However, learning as much of the language as you can in any foreign country in which you are living is always the best course of action. You\u2019ll be able to make a wider circle of friends, and knocking down the language barrier is the single best way to overcome culture shock, homesickness and feelings of loneliness.<\/p>\n

That being said, English is the unofficial, international language. Berlin is Germany\u2019s capital and as such has plenty of native English speakers roaming its streets, as well as a considerable number of English-speaking Germans. Almost all major businesses have websites, telephone prompts and customer service representatives who speak crisp, clear English. Even some shop owners know the basics!<\/p>\n

BEFORE MOVING<\/h3>\n

If you\u2019re looking to learn as much German as you can before arriving in Germany<\/a>, depending on the amount of time you have and your resources, you have some options:<\/p>\n

Take a German language course at your local university, adult education center, or language school. An example of a language school would be Berlitz, which has locations worldwide and offers classes in a wide variety of languages.\u00a0http:\/\/www.berlitz.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n

Use a computer-based language course, such as the wildly popular Rosetta Stone (http:\/\/www.rosettastone.com\/<\/a>), or other types of courses that fit your learning style.<\/p>\n

Cobble together your own curriculum based on tapes, language learning books available online or at your local bookstore, and German conversation groups in your area.<\/p>\n

AFTER MOVING<\/h3>\n

Once you\u2019ve arrived in Berlin, your classroom options increase exponentially. Following are some German language schools in Berlin (which is also a great way to meet other new arrivals).<\/p>\n