5 Big Mistakes with Learning a Foreign Language – German for Nurses

In our increasingly interconnected world, learning a foreign language is almost a professional necessity. Whether you’re a native English, French, or Italian speaker, learning more languages is always a net positive for your livelihood.

According to the World Economic Forum, 92% of European students are learning a foreign language, with at least 80% being in the EU. However, trends are somewhat different in the US, UK, Canada, and Australia, where English, the lingua franca of our age, is spoken natively. Only 6.2% of Canadians speak languages other than English and French, with only 20% of US students learning a foreign language.

The cause for these percentages is multilayered. The older we get, the more likely we are to learn new languages simply out of professional necessity. Learning German is a great example of how acquiring a second language can dramatically improve your professional prospects in Germany and its neighboring countries. We’re here to discuss the mistakes and confusion surrounding learning new languages, the benefits of doing so, and how you can find work as a certified nurse in Germany with Jobs OneGlobe.

Perks of Learning a Foreign Language as a Healthcare Nurse

The best way to approach learning new languages is to see it as a hobby or a fun divergence from your everyday obligations. Learning a new language isn’t easy, but it is rewarding and worthwhile. While you may speak English well and think you’re “good to go” for international employment – think again.

Many countries around the world feature employers and legal systems which require you to speak their languages natively. Germany is a great example of a country with a diverse demographic but whose society is based on the German language despite that. According to World Data, 90.1% of German residents speak German natively, with 9.9% speaking it as a second or third language.

If you want to live and work in Germany, especially in the healthcare sector, you’ll need to prove your German language proficiency. Presenting potential employers with an A2/B1 certificate is a must, regardless of which other languages you speak as someone looking for work in Germany. A great way to start down your path toward German language proficiency is by using OneGlobe Language Learning. This will enable you to learn at your own pace and familiarize yourself with German through bite-sized daily tasks, speaking exercises, and various other lessons.

Start speaking GERMAN with OneGlobe Language Learning!

Let’s break down some key benefits of learning a foreign language, German in particular in this case:

• Learn how to multitask more effectively
• Improve your CV for new career opportunities
• Familiarize yourself with new cultures and peoples
• Improve your long-term memory
• Make decisions faster
• Become a better learner in other areas
• Improve your career and networking prospects
  
  

While learning new languages is a net positive, many people go about it the wrong way. Starting off your learning experience poorly can reflect on your resolve to learn and lead to you abandoning foreign languages altogether. Let’s discuss how you can avoid that and stick to learning a foreign language for longer.

Big Mistakes to Avoid When Learning Foreign Languages

1. Being Overwhelmed by Grammar and Writing

Many language learners make the mistake of starting on the wrong note when it comes to foreign languages. What’s the best way to start learning a language? Using helpful digital learning tools like OneGlobe Language Learning powered by Mondly is a better way to start than by going deep into grammar from day one.

Grammar, while important for writing and speaking comprehension, is daunting no matter how talented you are as a learner. Start with digital learning tools which promote small exercises which will introduce you to a new language through short phrases and practical sentences. Then, you can go back and recontextualize what you’ve learned by delving into grammar.

2. Avoiding Speaking Exercises

Learning the proper pronunciation of different words and phrases while learning a foreign language is extremely important. While you can use textbooks and online tools to learn a foreign language, you’ll still need to practice speaking. This is difficult if you don’t have someone to talk to, which is why OneGlobe Language Learning is there to help you out.

By using it, you will gain access to Mondly AR, a language learning tool with its own dedicated chatbot AI. The app features voice recognition and a wide variety of speaking exercises for you to enjoy. This will help you overcome your fear of speaking a foreign language and bring you a step closer to gaining your proficiency certificate in German.

3. Being Overly Critical Toward Yourself

No one can speak a foreign language fluently as soon as they start learning it. That’s why you need to eliminate this notion from the get go and focus on the learning process itself. Don’t judge yourself too harshly and don’t get discouraged by the fact that others speak better than you.

It’s important to let your mind accept new words and phrases organically over a longer period of time instead of rushing through the process. Learning a foreign language will take patience and dedication, but it can pay off in spades once you get the hang of it.

4. Focusing on a Single Learning Method

Once you start learning a foreign language, you’ll need to diversify your learning materials as much as possible. Learning only from textbooks or only from YouTube videos or TV shows won’t get you anywhere near a commendable proficiency level. Instead, you should use several different learning methods in parallel to memorize more and learn more quickly. Here are a few great methods to try out:

• Use OneGlobe Language Learning
• Write notes into notebooks
• Use language learning textbooks
• Visit a local language school
• Enjoy foreign-language media
• Join language learning social media groups

5. Learning Sporadically and Without a Goal

To learn a new language properly and in the shortest amount of time, you need a clear goal in mind. Why are you learning German right now? Do you want to find a job in Germany and move there permanently? This can be a great goal to work toward and it will motivate you to learn a bit more every day.

Learning for the sake of learning a foreign language won’t really get you closer to a proficiency certificate. You’ll need to dedicate yourself to a goal and stick to it if you want to learn German or any other language out there. Think of a good reason to start learning and write it down somewhere as a reminder. Whenever you’re not motivated to learn, read your reason out loud and you’ll find more energy to learn a foreign language.

Becoming a Healthcare Nurse in Germany with Jobs OneGlobe

As you overcome your fears and doubts about learning a foreign language, new job opportunities and prospects will open up to you. Becoming a healthcare nurse in Germany is an amazing way for you to use your newly-acquired proficiency certificate for professional purposes. Prospecting employers and healthcare institutions in Germany are always on the lookout for passionate, dedicated nurses from abroad. It’s why Jobs OneGlobe is here to assist you on your journey toward a better, brighter career.

1. Start by creating an account on Jobs OneGlobe as a job candidate
2. Next, create your CV by using our professional CV builder with up-to-date information
3. Finally, apply for healthcare nurse job listings on Jobs OneGlobe – it’s that easy

Wrapping Up and Learning a Foreign Language

The best way to start learning a foreign language is to simply start somewhere. You won’t know how good you are at speaking German until you try learning simple words and phrases and building on your knowledge from there. We recommend using OneGlobe Language Learning due to its plethora of benefits and features for daily learning.

This will help prepare you for your A2/B1 language certification exams in German, which is a requirement if you want to become a nurse in Germany. Let future career prospects become your motivators and stick to learning a foreign language for a few weeks at least.

You’ll quickly discover how helpful being bilingual can be, and how many new personal and professional opportunities will open up to you. Use Jobs OneGlobe to find job vacancies abroad once you’ve learned a new language and want to put it to good use!