Why Learn German?
German language is central to Western Europe as the language of the Federal Republic of Germany, Austria, and the largest portion of Switzerland, as well as Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, areas of Northern Italy, Eastern Belgium and Eastern France. Approximately 94 million people are native speakers of German.
The German-speaking world has made enormous contributions to world culture, whether in the areas of music, art, literature, philosophy, education, or science. To cite just a few, the myriad of musicians like Beethoven, Wagner, Bach; writers like Johann Wolgang Von Goethe and Thomas Mann; eminent scientists like Wilhelm von Humboldt and Albert Einstein; distinguished social scientists like Max Weber; the father of psychoanalysis Sigmund Freud and the philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche.
Links
Facts about Germany
- Germany, together with France, is the major driving force in a consolidating Europe. German is more important than ever as the first language of business, diplomacy and tourism in Eastern Europe, and is essential if Americans want to compete in the emerging Eastern European market.
- Germany has the third-highest GNP in the world, and is economically the most important member of the European Union. It invests heavily in Eastern Europe, Asia and Latin America.
German companies provide jobs for approximately 500,000 American profesionals and employees in the U.S.A..
- Twenty-five percent of all Americans claim German ancestry. This heritage is felt throughout the country, in holidays like Oktoberfest, in culinary and holiday traditions.
