Do most people in Germany speak English also?

Question

I'm not planning on only speaking in English, trust me. I want to help my poor German skills while there. Haha. I'm probably going to be an (high school) exchange student next year. I've often heard that if you speak English and someone hears you they might try to rip you off (like if you are buying stuff).

Answer 1

I live in Germany and I wouldn't say most people speak English, although you will find a lot of people who do. Most North Americans assume English is the most common second language in Germany, but it differs from State to State...most of the States in the former DDR (East Germany) speak Russian as a second language (it was mandatory to learn Russian in School), in the Old Bundesländer (West Germany) you will find a high concentration of people that speak English, mainly because of the enfluence of the Allies after the war. You will also find French as a second language in the far North Western German States.

If you're coming as an exchange student you will have to speak German. School leasons are taught in German, except for language classes, and the teachers will not stop to explain something in another language. Not all teachers speak English.

English would be widely spoken in the Metropolitan areas e.g. Berlin, Stuttgart, München, etc. or areas where there is lots of Tourist traffic, when you travel to smaller towns or areas, there will be very few people that speak English e.g. Bayerischer Wald (Bavarian Forest), Harz, or counties close to Poland.

It is true English is a required language in school now and you will find most people under the age of 30 do speak some English, but you should try and learn German...after all it is the official language here and you will find people more preceptive if you can speak a little German...

Answer 2

Having spent the last two years in Germany I can tell you that everyone under the age of 30 speaks English. Its a mandatory class for them now in school. A lot of the older men and women speak english but nine out of ten of them don't like americans anyways so if you try to speak to them in english they will pretend to have no idea what you are saying. If your in Wuerzberg or a city more populated by military almost everyone speaks english. Germany was a blast and I know you'll have fun.

Answer 3

Born and raised in Stuttgart. I know in all the schools in my area and many other places english is a requirement. well like where i live in NJ now, another language is a requirement. It's the same in some other palces in Germany it's just that 98% choose english there. others know english because a lot of tourists come to Germany. Trust me, if you are stuggling speaking your German, the majority of folks there will spare you and speak english if possible.
And no offense to the person who posted german phrases (really i'm not trying to offend you and i completely apologiz eif I do) but those phrase are either stated wrong or spelled wrong. Like, I love you is Ich liebe dich, not sie. If you need any help please DO NOT hesitate to contact me thru email. i'd be more than happy to help

Answer 4

Many people in Germany speak english as well. It is a requirement when they are in school. As far as them trying to rip you off... I'mnot too sure about that. However you may get some dirty looks if you dont at least attempt to speak german. Even if its a bad attempt its better than nothing!!

Answer 5

I've been to germany a few times. Not every one out there speaks English. Try unforgettable languages. Or German for dummies. I'm learning German at the moment. Slowly but surely. They appreciate it if you try and speak the language. They help you as well. I love it out there.

Answer 6

It is now mandatory for Schools to teach Englisch as a Second Language. Even the Dr's speak it, if they didn't learn it in the lower schools, they are taught it in College. If you make an attempt at the Language, you will find that most will respond back in Englisch. The reason for this *we have been told over here* is that they are wanting to practice Englisch. So, we will speak to them in Duetsche and they reply in Englisch.

Duetscheland is a very Proud Country....and so are the people. We have lived over here since 2003 *I lived over here from 1982-1984 as well*.....if you have any questions, feel free to contact me. Germany is so different to live...Check out the Links below.

Ciao!

Answer 7

I have not been to Germany, but if it is like other countries you will find that it depends where you go.

If you are going to touristy places, clubs, restaurants, places like that - you will probably find a lot of people that speak English.

If you go to the supermarket, an "out-of-the-way" pub or cafe, or a department store, you are going to run into people that do not speak English.

I would think that if you cannot speak German well, you don't need to be applying to be an exchange student in Germany. In all likelihood, you will need to know a LOT of German!!!

Answer 8

Why must that be the case? Are there any materials within the US wherein folks talk best German - I am no longer speaking approximately Texas Germans or Pennsylvania Dutch who talk historical varieties of German. No, except US Military bases (with the already acknowledged exceptions) there aren't any locations wherein English is the "reputable" language. However, so much Germans mainly the more youthful ones talk English lovely good.

Answer 9

Yes, we learn it at school. Most people speak English, but some only a very poor.

Answer 10

well, on every school is English the first foreign language the kids learn. most of the people around 20 can speak English. also older people can speak a little bit. so you can communicate...