The German language is a leading world language, mother tongue of almost 100 million speakers. The German-speaking countries – Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Liechtenstein – form the largest language area in Central Europe. It is an important language of trade, with Germany being the third largest economy in the world. Germany's influence has been growing steadily since the fall of the Iron Curtain in 1989. German is a commonly used language in Eastern European countries and its influence has increased since the enlargement of the EU. There are about 17 million learners of German in the world – you could be one of them. Knowledge of German can be vital to international work in the areas of science, engineering, business and tourism. German also holds the key to a deeper understanding of where our modern world has come from and where it might be going. Through its authors, philosophers, composers, painters and scientists, German-speaking Europe has not only been at the crossroads of history for the past 800 years, but promises to remain one of the most important world cultures in the future.

A knowledge of German and a familiarity with the cultures of Austria, Germany and Switzerland can enhance a wide range of career options. People who demonstrate an open and informed attitude to the world are rightly preferred for many business and governmental positions, and skills in German are likely to prove particularly attractive as New Zealand's trade and tourism relations with Europe continue to grow. Diplomatic service, teaching, journalism and library and information services are further areas in which German has proved to be a highly useful course of study. The exchange programmes with the universities of Konstanz and Freiburg provide an excellent opportunity to study at a German university and to plan ahead for a career in a German-speaking country.