German taught programs can be harmful longterm

Summary

The video offers practical advice for students considering studying in Germany, highlighting the differences between German-taught and English-taught programs. It emphasizes three key steps for success: securing admission, excelling in your education, and landing a good job. While German-taught programs may be easier to enter, they can pose challenges in terms of academic performance and future job prospects, especially for non-native speakers. English-taught programs are often a better choice for students aiming for strong grades and career success. The speaker urges students to seek advice from credible sources with real-world experience in Germany.

Takeaways

• 😀 Getting admission to a German-taught program may be easier with B1 or B2 German proficiency, but it's just the first step to success.
• 😀 For non-German speakers, succeeding academically in a German-taught program can be very challenging, especially when dealing with technical terms.
• 😀 German-taught programs can lead to low GPAs for students with inadequate language skills, negatively impacting future job prospects.
• 😀 English-taught programs offer an easier academic environment for students focused on fields like engineering, IT, AI, and robotics.
• 😀 Global job markets increasingly demand strong technical skills, and English proficiency is often more valuable than a high level of German.
• 😀 The quality of academic performance (grades) in your program is crucial for job success; a low GPA can hinder your career opportunities.
• 😀 If you're considering studying in Germany, don't rely solely on advice from people who haven't worked in German-speaking environments or haven't experienced the challenges themselves.
• 😀 You should seek advice from people with long-term experience in both German-speaking environments and German-taught programs, not just those who have only studied the language.
• 😀 Admission to a German-taught program might be easier initially, but succeeding in later stages (academic performance and career success) can be much more difficult if you're not proficient in German.
• 😀 Many companies globally offer English-speaking job opportunities, particularly in engineering and IT, so mastering your technical field in English might be a smarter strategy.
• 😀 Use common sense when choosing between German-taught and English-taught programs; the ‘easier’ choice upfront may lead to greater difficulties later on.

Q & A

What are the three crucial steps to success in Germany or Europe as mentioned in the script?

The three crucial steps are: 1) Getting admission to a program, 2) Performing well in education (grades and extracurriculars), and 3) Securing a good job and excelling in it.

Why is getting admission to a German-taught program easier compared to an English-taught program?

German-taught programs are easier to get into if you have a B1 or B2 level of German because the language requirement is lower compared to the proficiency needed for English-taught programs.

What is the primary challenge faced by students in German-taught programs?

The main challenge is performing well in exams and assignments due to the language barrier. Writing exams and understanding specialized terminology in German can make it more difficult to achieve good grades.

How does a low CGPA affect job prospects for students in German-taught programs?

A low CGPA from a German-taught program can hurt job prospects, especially when applying to international or English-speaking job markets. Companies may prioritize candidates with higher grades and a better academic record.

Why might English-taught programs be a better option for certain students?

English-taught programs are often easier for students to excel in academically, as they don't have to struggle with learning specialized terms in a foreign language. This can lead to better grades and career prospects, especially in international job markets.

What risks do students face when opting for German-taught programs without strong language skills?

Students may struggle to keep up with the coursework, face delays in graduation, or end up with lower grades due to the difficulty of understanding and completing tasks in German, which can also impact their long-term career prospects.

What should students consider when seeking advice about studying in Germany?

Students should ensure the advisor has significant real-world experience in a German-speaking work environment (not just language teaching experience) and has directly participated in a German-taught program themselves.

How has globalization impacted the necessity of learning German for international job markets?

Globalization has made many job opportunities in Germany available in English, especially in fields like engineering and IT, reducing the necessity of advanced German language skills for securing jobs.

What advice does the speaker give about the relationship between program difficulty and long-term career success?

The speaker suggests that although it may be easier to get into a German-taught program, it can be more challenging in the long run due to academic difficulties and job prospects. Conversely, more challenging programs (like English-taught ones) may lead to easier career success in the long term.

Why does the speaker criticize advisors who haven't worked in a German-speaking environment?

The speaker criticizes such advisors because they lack practical experience in real-world German-speaking environments, making their advice potentially misleading or not fully informed. Students should seek advice from those who have lived and worked in Germany for a significant time.