How to?
Hamburg is always very welcoming towards immigrants. But for better integration & communication German language is the key.
- How to learn German? Can be answered by the VISA type you hold.
- So people who came on family reunion VISA, tend to have more time when they are new, hence can learn German as full-time at any school. Sometimes these language courses for spouses are sponsored by the State of Hamburg.
- Students in Germany can learn German along with their degrees within their institutes. The process can be little slower as compare to full-time but it's worth it when you have language and a degree at the end during job hunting later.
- People with Job Search Visa can also learn German full-time if they want and find jobs in parallel.
- People with Full-time Job Visa have the least time to learn German, but it's not impossible, there are many places that offer language courses either in the evening or at weekends. That might sound tough especially when you have a family here in Germany but it comes with great advantages as well.
Tips & Tricks
Your way in Hamburg:
- Germans NEVER make fun of you, when you make mistakes in speaking German. You will always be appreciated. So never your lose confidence.
- Start with shopping in German, change the language of all your online shopping apps to German.
- Try to read advertisements on the way wherever you are.
- The key to learn any language is to start thinking in it, e.g. try to make a scenario in your head in which the whole conversation is in German.
- Install dictionary app to search for words with articles and example e.g. dict.
- To improve speaking, conversation with Native speakers is often beneficial.
- To improve listening, radio/News is best source, e.g. Deutsche Welle (DW).
- There are many language Cafes in Hamburg where people from all over the world come to improve their German.
- Another tip could be to start watching TV in German.
- Children books is also a good source for beginners.
- Follow German influencers.
- Viel Erfolg!