Do I need to be able to speak German?

If you're considering studying in Mannheim for your year abroad, but can't speak a single word of German, this post will hopefully ease any worries you may have!

First of all, most people in Mannheim have at least a basic understanding of English so you should be able to get by fairly easily. Certainly in banks, pharmacies, and at university, not speaking German shouldn't be too much of a problem. In shops and restaurants, it's unusual to find someone who doesn't speak any English even if their knowledge is limited to the basic stuff you'd need to carry out a transaction.

This doesn't, however, mean that you should make no attempt to learn German while you're here. Even just learning how to say hello, thank you, please and goodbye is a nice touch and demonstrates that you're willing to make at least a bit of effort to speak the language of the country you're staying in!

Although English is a major language at the university, and many classes are taught in English rather than German, it's also possible to take language classes alongside your other modules and classes. These are available even for complete beginners! There is a small registration fee, and places fill up fast, but if you're looking to really make the most of your time here and impress future employers it's definitely worth it.

For those of you who would be taking part in an Erasmus exchange, you should also get access to the Erasmus + Online Linguistic Support system, which offers online classes to help you with your German! It's really good as a supplement to other language courses you might take, or even on its own if you don't want to commit to a full language course.

In conclusion, no, you don't need to speak German to live and study in Mannheim. However, making the effort to learn at least a few key words and phrases will not only make life easier for you, but is a nice gesture for the German people with whom you're trying to communicate. So take the opportunity to develop your language skills while you're here and really make the most of your experience!

Photo gallery