Joburgers encouraged to learn a language

We’ve got a few reasons why learning how to speak German could benefit any Joburger.

From career to personal gain, to just finding out about some interesting things to say in another language, you have every reason to learn to speak German.

The first reason for any Joburger to learn to speak German is because it’s imperative to know about the longest word in the language, Donaudampfschifffahrtselektrizitätenhauptbetriebswerkbauunterbeamtengesellschaft, which is 80 characters long and translates to the Association for Subordinate Officials of the Head Office Management of the Danube Steamboat Electrical Services.

“Learning German can be a challenge, but an entertaining one,” said Benjamin Keuffel, public relations officer at the Goethe-Institut.

Knowing the language is a smart career move, according to Keuffel. “Did you know that German universities offer careers such as pop music, beer brewing or equine science [a specialisation of animal science that focuses on certain aspects of the lives of horses]?”

With the German Academic Exchange service, which has more than 200 bursary options on offer for South Africans, visiting Germany and pursuing a career in making beer need not just be a dream.

Keuffel said knowing the language made the visit more fun. “Speaking German is the key to getting to know local culture and people. The country has a lot more to offer for fans of sports from hiking, climbing and cycling to water and winter sports.

“There are more than 11 000km of skiing tracks to be discovered in Germany and Austria,” he concluded.

So why not learn more about Germany or even learn the language, with the help of experts at the Goethe-Institut in Parkwood and in Maboneng, the cultural institute of the Federal Republic of Germany with a global reach and the aim to educate.