German at Kingswood is very much alive and kicking, which is not the case nationally. Numbers taking GCSE German almost match those taking French. With fewer pupils in the UK acquiring German language skills, now is the best time to learn German so that career prospects can be enhanced. The study of German gives pupils access to a diverse culture and fascinating history. Modern German and modern English both evolved from the common ancestor language Germanic and since the language is spelled phonetically it appeals to those who find spelling more challenging. German is a language heavily influenced by Latin and the patterns within language are logical.  It appeals often to more scientific and analytical minds.

German is the most widely spoken language in Europe and the mother tongue of 90-95 million people in Europe. German is the official language of Austria, Germany, parts of Switzerland, Luxembourg and Eastern Belgium; it is also spoken widely in northern Italy, eastern Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark, eastern France, parts of Poland, the Czech Republic, Russia, and Romania. Indeed, there were debates in the USA during its infancy as to whether German ought to be the official language.

While learning German can connect you to 120 million native speakers around the globe, remember that many people also learn German as a second language. It is the third most popular foreign language taught worldwide and the second most popular in Europe. Commercially, learning German makes sense as Germany’s economy is the strongest in Europe. Germany is the UK’s most important trade partner in Europe. Germany's economic strength equals business opportunities. Multi-national business opportunities exist throughout the European Union and in the Eastern European countries.  Given the Germans' commitment to innovation, it is perhaps not surprising that two-thirds of the world's leading international trade fairs take place in Germany.

German is not only a language of the past. As prolific researchers and scholars, German speakers produce nearly 80,000 new book titles each year.  By learning German one can experience a rich culture. Germany is frequently referred to as the land of "Dichter und Denker" (of poets and thinkers). This reputation is rightly deserved, if one considers the German contributions to the Arts.  Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Thomas Mann, Franz Kafka, and Hermann Hesse exemplify this whilst Mozart, Bach, Beethoven, Strauss and Wagner have enriched the world through their music.  Modern society has been heavily influenced by German philosophers and scientists; for example, Kant, Hegel, Marx, Nietzsche, Freud and Jung.

Friends at Schiller Gymnasium, Munster

The Brandenburg Gate

http://www.schillergymnasium-muenster.de/