Do you think it is as difficult for Germans to speak English as it is for English to speak German?

Answer 1

Dont know why. It is where modern English derived from......

Answer 2

I have taught Modern Languages both in UK and in EU countries. My German students found English much easier to learn than vice versa. Their English was quickly excellent and free from mistakes. My English students found German very difficult, particularly the grammar and the way words merged together.
On balance I found that the languages which came the most easily to English speaking students were Italian and Spanish, then French, with German in fourth place. The Germans found less difficulty with English than with Romance languages, probably because of the common Germanic roots and relatively similar words.

Answer 3

I'm German and I don't think English is difficult to speak, but that's probably because I started to learn it at the age of nine. I had classes in French and Russian later and they were much more difficult for me than English.

Answer 4

I am from Romania. I learned german and english at school. I think it is easier to learn english. Nowadays you can't survive as a foreigner without knowing english. Everywhere you go, english is the main spoken language. You can learn the accent from tv. I think it is easier for Germans to speak English.

Answer 5

I don't think it's us Brits being pig-headed but the fault of the yanks for trying to push themselves into every part of the world. Getting back to the question at hand I speak English (mother tongue) French and Spanish (used for my work) Russian (because it's there) and just started German (fancied learning a new language) I'm 42 and don't have a problem learning other languages, I don't think it gets harder the older you get but some people find learning languages easier than others.

Answer 6

Here's the problem, when you learn a language after about age 12, the language is stored in a different part of the brain. You then struggle with the language and have an accent, period.

You can learn many languages, as a native speaker, before age 12 (appx), but after 12 it's always hard.

The advantage Germans have is that most of them have heard and used english most of their lives.

What do you call someone who knows 3 languages? Trilingual
2 Languages? Bi-lingual
1 Language? American

Answer 7

Yes, I do. But I also think German (speakers) are more relaxed about using their English. They don't try too hard and have a tendency to just "let it out" which is very cute. Many bilinguals I know would rather use their mother tongue but a German speaker is likely to refuse; preferring to practice their English.

Answer 8

No. Germans find it easier to speak English because they are not as pig-headed as native English speakers and have acquired the knowledge that not everyone speaks German.
Hello UK, come and join us in muti lingual Europe. By the way I'm a Brit, before you start moaning.

Answer 9

Yes. Both are grammatical minefields, but at least German has more precise rules than English.

It's probably slightly easier for English to pronounce German more accurately than the other way round though.

Answer 10

they say English is the hardest language to learn. I learnt french for 3 years at school, and German for 3 months, i found German to be a very easy language to learn.

Answer 11

i think its hard for anyone who cant speak the language and try to pick it up. but once you get the hang of it.i guess, then its easy..

i personally think that Germans would find it easier to speak english because its more common and they have many means of practicing. furthermore, its taught in most schools as a 2nd subject. german isnt taught in most schools unless you want to take it as an extra subject.