How to integrate successfully in Germany

It is no big secret: if you want to fit in, you need to master the local language. If your German language skills are lacking, it is necessary to devote time to learning the language.

Accept the idea that you are a foreigner in the country and that you will have a lot to take in, once you’ve settled.

You need to understand that, in Germany like anywhere else in the world, becoming integrated requires effort to adapt to the daily, cultural, social, and even political life of the host country. This is still the ideal that every immigrant wishes to achieve. In order to reach this goal, don’t isolate yourself too much from local people. Talking with them is a great way of improving your level of German and at the same time, it is the key to fitting in naturally. Try to make as many contacts as you can, whether with English-speaking people who have been living in Germany for a shorter or longer time, with people from foreign countries or else with Germans, who are very welcoming towards international expatriates.

In order to speed up the integration process and gain self-confidence, you should also take a language course. German courses are especially designed for an international, non German-speaking clientele and are suitable for individual students, groups or professionals who wish to develop skills specific to their work. They will help you to achieve considerable progress in little time. Soon, you will be more comfortable with talking to local people; the course will allow you to become familiar with the German language and give you the means to communicate in everyday life. Taking a German course is an enjoyable way of meeting other foreigners who wish to fit successfully into German society, just like you!

Elected best language travel agency in Europe in 2010, ESL – Language Studies Abroad is the specialist in the organisation of language courses abroad, offering courses in more than 20 languages, 200 destinations in 45 countries on 5 continents! In order to meet the needs and expectations of German learners in Germany, ESL has purchased the established IH schools in Berlin and Freiburg.

If you have children, you have a critical choice to make: choosing their new school. Most institutions apply the German system. This method will undoubtedly help your children to make rapid progress in German and to understand the country from the inside.

However, you should consider sending your children to a summer camp to learn German. Thus, any fears about moving to a foreign country with a different language will be dispelled before you even settle in Germany. It is a judicious way of reassuring them while ensuring easier integration.

In the workplace, the major cultural difference resides in the place of the individual and the collective. In Germany, collective success is more important than individual success. Performance is held in high esteem. As for time management, it is very different to some other European countries. For instance, it is important for Germans to build a project step by step, after having discussed it with all of the collaborators first.

In order to get ready for your professional career in Germany, business German courses are the perfect solution for acquiring knowledge specific to your sector of activity and then making a career in Germany.

Finally, knowing that Germany is one of the countries where expatriates integrate best - according to a survey carried out by Expat Explorer1 - may reinforce your decision to move there. 65% of expatriates join a local association, which helps their integration. And still according to the survey, three quarters of expatriates learn German.

Find out more about the language programmes offered by ESL – Language Studies Abroad and ESL Schools online and do not hesitate to contact them in order to get a free quote for your tailor-made programme.

ESL Schools

Grand-Rue 42

Po Box 1206

1820 Montreux 1

Telephone : +41 (0) 21.621.88.88

Fax : +41 (0) 21.621.88.89

E-mail : [email protected]

Website : www.esl-schools.org

ESL – Language studies abroad (Head Office)

Grand-Rue 50

Case postale 1204

1820 Montreux 1

Telephone : +41 (0) 21.962.88.80

Fax : +41 (0) 21.962.88.81

E-Mail : [email protected]

Website : www.esl-languages.com