Many of us who study foreign languages face one problem. You’ve been learning the language for a long time, got the necessary vocabulary and grammar, but still cannot speak as easily and fluently as you’d like. At a certain level, courses reach the limit and can’t give you what you need. If you want to move past that plateau and reach native levels of fluency, consider working towards fluency with German immersion.
German immersion in the country offers a lot of opportunities for foreigners to both improve the speaking level and acquire useful working experience. This is how you combine learning and work to master German and start talking like a local.
Job Abroad vs. Courses for Language Learning
The educational sector offers a lot of courses where you can study German through immersion. Abundance is great. You can choose individual or group lessons, learn the general language of specialized vocabulary, take a native speaker tutor or not, etc.
The advantages of the German immersion courses are:
- Comfortable atmosphere
- Communication with classmates who have the same language level
- Structural and progressive teaching
- Opportunity to practice speaking, etc.
Though course learning is more comfortable, there are more questions about the value of education these days. Many wonder if paying for courses is actually worth it. Or, if there are better ways. For example, full immersion into the linguistic environment provides you wider opportunities.
First of all, working abroad, you communicate mostly with native speakers. Every hour, day by day, you’re listening to and speaking proper German. Consequently, you improve vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation in the fastest and most natural way.
The topics that you discuss at work are diverse. That means that you can learn more words, phrases, and collocations. Besides, learning German through immersion abroad will help you break the language barrier and improve fluency.
The advantages of learning German through immersion in a job abroad are:
- A full immersion into the language
- Communication with native speakers
- Everyday practice
- Opportunity to overcome your fear of speaking
- Learning in the most natural way as kids do
- Getting a wider vocabulary
However, please mind that learning a language in its country is possible and efficient only when you have already achieved a certain level. If you’re a beginner, first, try to study German with courses or a tutor. You can also use specialized apps like Optilingo. All you need is your smartphone and 20 minutes of free time.
OptiLingo lets you easy lessons easily by targeting high-frequency words and phrases in a way that helps you remember the language naturally and gets you speaking FAST!
Can You Learn German from Work Immersion?
When you take courses (no matter whether they are in your country or abroad), you pay for them. Some language programs cost a fortune but don’t give the necessary results. On the contrary, when you get a job abroad, not only can you learn the language for free, but you can also earn money.
Apart from communicative and monetary benefits, you’ll be able to learn a new profession or improve your own. Experienced specialists who happened to go on a long-term business trip can improve qualifications. Young people who start their careers will get useful experience. Besides, work abroad may help you get a promotion or prospective job at home.
The final plus is a great traveling and cultural experience. A temporary job in German allows you to combine language study, work, earning, and traveling. See a new country, visit the best attractions, and try national cuisine.
Tips on How to Find a Job in Germany for Immersion
An international internship is one of the most popular ways of learning and working abroad. Many German companies welcome foreign trainees. It all depends on the availability of vacancies at a particular time. As a rule, summer is the best season because companies adapt to students. Depending on the hirer, you can pass a paid and free internship. Also, it’s a very convenient way since your employer will help you draw up documents and apply for a visa.
Volunteer programs cannot be called a job since you won’t get a salary for your services. However, it’s another excellent opportunity to visit Germany and improve your speaking skills for free. Charity foundations and organizations pay your accommodation, food, and partially transport costs.
Students can also use the services of international student programs like Work and Travel. Such organizations offer a wide choice of summer jobs. They help find the most appropriate vacancy, accommodation, and draw up documents.
If none of the above-mentioned options satisfy you, try job search sites. This is the most complicated way to find a job in Germany, but you still have great chances.
Besides, Germans love to look for employees on the Internet. Job search sites often provide useful information on how to write resumes, communicate with hirers, pay taxes, etc. Just make a resume, respond to suitable vacancies, and do the paperwork. You’ll also have to look for accommodation and tickets, but the experience and learning opportunities are certainly worth the effort.
Best Temporary Vacancies in Germany
If you want to get a job in Germany to fast track your immersion experience, here are some fields you should check out. Whether you have a special set of skills or you’re looking for general work, you can find a lot of opportunities in these fields.
Highly-Qualified Specialists
As far as we’re speaking about temporary jobs for language learning, finding something suitable for highly skilled specialists can be challenging. As a rule, hirers need full-time employees on such vacancies. However, you can try internship programs. Here, the most demanded specialists are:
- Medical personnel
- IT specialists
- Engineers and people with technical education
Employees without special knowledge
- The hospitality sector is the first in the number of temporary jobs for foreigners. They include fast-food workers, waiters, bartenders, maids, animators, receptionists, and so on. Restaurants and hotels often take foreign employees, especially during summer and holiday seasons. Applicants also like such work, since it’s not very tiring but well-paid (and opportunity for additional income through tips).
- Nurses are in great demand. You can either work with kids or take care of ill and older people. Many hirers require only knowledge of the language and are ready to pay special medical courses. Besides, you’ll most probably live in the family, i.e., there will be no problems with accommodation and rent.
- Language tutors for children camps or courses. This job requires knowledge of some language and the ability to teach it. Usually, hirers are looking for English speaking people. However, if you master some other languages like French, Italian, Spain, Chinese, etc., you can also find a fascinating temporary job while learning German, too.
Consider German Immersion for Fluency
There is no better way to learn a language than practice it with native speakers in the native environment (as long as you approach immersion with the right mindset). A temporary job is a great chance to pay for your stay in the country and, at the same time, earn some money. It doesn’t require large financial investments but provides excellent language learning opportunities. After your time in Germany, you’ll take your skills to a new level and start speaking like a local!
