Not sure if learning German helps you in the UK. If it is just about learning a foreign language, I would pick Spanish. it's much easier than German (not so many funny exceptions from the grammar rules)
Fact is, the more languages you know, the easier it becomes to learn the next one.
But if you stick with German and run into problems, just drop me a msg and I'll try to explain.
-DG
I know English, obviously, Russian and currently learning Japanese.
I was not recommending German because I live here. My recommendation was based on facts and my personal keen interest in European trade.
Statistics speak for themselves. Germany is Britain's biggest trading partner. Between January 1st and August 31st 2010 German import and export all together was about 47 billion pounds. Spanish trade same period was under 1/3th of that, about 15 billion pounds.
From this point of view it's quite clear which language is more important, if the goal in studying a foreign language is it to be an asset in job searching. The British companies are going to need more and more German speaking employees.
Source: https://www.uktradeinfo.com/index.cfm?task=topPartners
Kari
This is supposed to be one of the easiest ways to learn a second language. It's used by many Corporations and Goverment agencies. Learn Spanish - Learn French - Language Learning - Rosetta Stone
I only speak English and some constrution worker Spanglish.
Fabe
Best of Luck to you my friend in your quest for a new job!Thanks for the replies guys! Kari, lorddenis and Jimbo. You folks with your multiple languages impress me no end. Think I will pick up the Assimil basic German when I get my last pay on Friday, as Jimbo recommended. It will be a start and I've read good things about it. If all goes well, maybe sit some official exams in the future. Now that I'm unemployed and the way the job market is in the UK right now, I have plenty of time on my hands. So I might as well spend it educating myself.
I'll hopefully drop in here with an update on how I'm going.
Cheers folks!
I don't doubt that, Kari. I went from a different POV : since in Germany learning English (at least the basics) in school is mandatory for grade 4 and up, it might be more beneficiary to learn an easier language first. But of course it still makes a difference if you're trading and are able to speak German or not. Usually people respect that you're trying at least.
I speak German, English, French Dutch and Spanish...not all as fluently but I can swear in at least 25 languages
-DG
I most sincerely hope all Germans reading this understand I don't want to offend anybody or anything, but a sad fact is that the amount of people, per capita, in Germany who can speak and understand English is not nearly as high than in most other European countries (not counting France, Spain and Italy). I have no idea is it because of German educational system, or something else, but it's a fact, easily tested.
A most common answer when asking if somebody speaks English is "Nein", simply and short. For instance I have a lot of family and friends visiting from Finland and before retirement customers and other work related guests from non-German speaking countries. Trying to make it easier to my guests, I always ask in restaurants, shops etc. if the personnel can speak English, so my guests could communicate directly with them. It's surprisingly often when the answer is this one word. Nein.
It is also surprisingly often I've heard the answer "Aber warum? Ich bin doch Deutsch!" (But why? I am German!")
Kari
P.S.
A trivial funny fact: In Western Europe, English is less known, spoken and understood in Italy, Spain, all French speaking regions (France, parts of Swizerland and Belgium) and all German speaking regions (Germany, Austria, parts of Swizerland). These countries or regions are also the only ones in Western Europe where all foreign TV and film is dubbed to local language, instead of showing original versions with subtitles as in the rest of the Western Europe.
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