Language barrier puts me off moving to Germany

I'm off German descent, living in Ireland.
My great grandfather was from Germany (from Hanover, we think) and have always had a great interest in all things German.

I have seriously considered moving to Germany but I'm afraid that the German language is a real obstacle for me.
Much as I have tried I cannot get to grips with it.
This obstacle prevents me from from considering relocating.

If you really want to move to Getmany Muller, don't let something like language get in the way. That can be learned - preferrably, before you move over there! Have you tried doing German courses, one on one grinds etc?

Smilin : I've tried to teach myself German.
What else have I tried.
My aunt works at the Goethe Institute in Dublin - she is a native German (from Lubeck).
She has tried giving me grinds...to no avail.

Granted, I should probably take up German classes.

I completely agree with SE that languages can be learned but differ in that it might be better to do a decent course here (also with the language to hand and always round you). The EL speaking world rather does have this idea that language learning is somehow difficult or complex. The revelation to a lot of us who've learned here is that it's not difficult per se. The thing it does require is a lot of effort / time input (unless you are one of the fortunate gifted ones).

Like it or not, an "aunt grinding you" is probably just scratching the surface. Teaching oneself is probably tough in isolation and in a non-German country. Think up to six months intensive Goethe to get up and running from scratch, plus your own time. That's reality, particularly if you want all of the skills (and not just the "get by speaking and listening"). Language learning has few short-cuts - can't just press a button on a computer like for a lot of stuff these days!

However, many millions of people across the world can speak more than one language (just like they have learned to drive a car or ski or whatever). Lots of us here have done it - and I've got a lot of role models who inspire me to do what they've done. The way I look at joining them in being able to do it is that there is absolutely no reason I can't join them - with the right conditions, training, support, focussed application of effort etc.

Thanks Swimmer.

I learnt French at school - so I know that I can speak more than one language but, as you correctly point out, that required hours of learning/study.
Whereas now, I have a fulltime job/family life, getting the time to study/learn a new language is limited.
More worrying is that I am now at an age (43) when it is more difficult to learn anyhow.

I take encouragement from your words "lots of us have done it"

Good. I'm the same age as you and can assure you that the "new languages get harder as you get older" is also just a myth. I held my own with very brainy 20 year old students. I had no problem in grasping it, but the workload is a slog. I do do a lot of "self-study" now I'm up and running any try to "teach myself" along side classes. What I find is that it "sticks" better in a formal teaching environment.

As I've said before about the UK (no idea about Ireland), I now think the quality of our home foreign language training is not up to much. Furthermore, learning entirely in the "target language" (and having no instruction at all in English) may seem strange and be a pain at the start, but it definitely pay off as you progress.

I did the integration course here (upto six months, 20 hours a week) and it was brilliant, as I've bored people here with a million times before! Great method and inspiring fellow students, teachers and schools.

Thanks Swimmer : I take a lot of encouragement from someone of my own age, learning how to speak German.
Great achievement, Swimmer, well done.

I will follow your advice and try to knuckle down to it and give learning to speak German, a serious effort.
Thanks

Ta, you are very kind. Yes, in two years, from almost zilch to being able to argue the toss with police / insurance / car drivers etc when I crash my bike or whatever with absolutely no problem, don't even have to think about it, words just come out . I'm one of the German state programme's poster children .

It's a zillion times easier when you can immerse yourself in a country that has the language - completely different ball game. You have everything there from basic ops to practice the language through to German-speaking mates who can tell you anything you neeed to know about the language whenever you happen to need to know it.

I agree it's much easier to learn a language when you're surrounded by it all day every day - that's really what makes it 'click'. However, the man is 43 with a family so he can't just up and leave to Germany without speaking the language at all unless he's got a job over there to support himself and his family. That's why I suggested he learn here first - at least, get a good basic level of German beforehand (if at all possible). But of course you can do it. I always thought bilingual people were kind of amazing but when you do it yourself you realise 'it's not as hard as it seems'. You'll be able to do it Muller - just practice, practice, practice. Listen to German music and watch German tv shows/movies. Meet up with a German group who live in Ireland (there are plenty). Meet up with others who are trying to learn the language. Don't give up - it'll click eventually

Thanks smiling.

From the sound of things it looks like you've adapted pretty well to the language/culture?

Us dubs are adaptable!!!

Well I'm lucky in that my fiance is German so he can correct my mistakes (when he feels like it, that is). It's do-able though. Definitely do-able. There's just a big mental block standing in your way (among other things which are easier to overcome). I'm not perfect in German either - my grammar's hit or miss depending on the day but I know with 1 more year living in Germany and working on the language, I'd have the grammar part mastered and have a good level of fluency. Don't give up on it. Keep at it and you will get there - and do try to meet up with language groups if you're learning in Ireland. They're enormously helpful for developing comprehension and conversation skills plus they're a great source of support (they're all in the same boat as you). Best of luck!