Let’s start off by debunking the myth that German is especially hard. Despite all the jokes that are being made about it being an impossible language, if you are an English speaker, you are actually already quite advantaged. German and English share the same Germanic root.

Many language learners attest to having slightly different personalities in different languages. Distinct intonations, accents and gestures are inextricably linked to language. Accommodating this requires an adjustment to the way one naturally behaves in social settings.

Why learn German if no one in your family speaks it? Well, what if people in your family used to speak it? Do you? If you are interested in reconnecting with your roots, there is no deeper and more direct way than by learning the language of your ancestry.

German is an important language in the fields of philosophy, science, history, literature and art. People looking to pursue graduate degrees in these fields often find that being able to read German is a prerequisite. Even if you don’t apply your German skills to such high-minded activities as master’s degrees and doctorates, learning another language is simply good for your brain. Studying a second language has been shown to improve memory, problem-solving skills, abstract reasoning, empathy and even postpones the onset of dementia! There’s really no good reason not to learn another language!