<p>In your opinion, would it be "worth it" to study abroad in a language-oriented program if you are a beginning speaker? Or is that sort of money better spent when you are more advanced in that language?</p>
<p>I'm just trying to make some decisions for this summer. I need to learn German or Spanish, however I am a beginner in both. While there are programs for beginners in these countries, I can't help but wonder if such an experience would be more useful for someone looking to polish off their secondary language skills via immersion, or if this sort of thing really IS beneficial for beginners, given a month or so stay in the country.</p>
<p>It depends how much of a beginner you are, but I think you need at least a ‘scaffold’ upon which you can build your language skills. </p>
<p>I went to Germany for a week of immersion after 2.5 years of learning part time (two hours a week or so of lessons, term time only) and I found it very beneficial. I also went to France after 1.5 years of learning French at a similar intensity, and I think it was less useful. </p>
<p>I wouldn’t say that I’m a natural linguist by any means though, and I’m sure that others will be along shortly with their opinions.</p>
<p>I am a beginner in both, currently…maybe a bit more advanced in German, as far as vocab, basic conjugations, sentence structure, and pronunciation goes. </p>
<p>I would agree that you need a structure of the language to build up on. German is difficult at the beginning when you learn pronunciation and basic grammar. Take it for a year and then sign up for an intensive course in a smaller town where you can get to talk to people and not run into English-speaking tourists all the time.</p>
<p>I’ve studied both languages both here & abroad. German, to be blunt, is a waste of time unless you plan to get a PhD & do German language based research. But Spanish is worthwhile even as a beginner. If your question involved Chinese (any dialect) then my answer would encourage a year or two of study here before going abroad.</p>
<p>If you are a beginner, you will learn A LOT. So, your base as a beginner, however little it may be, is a fantastic starting point (compared to someone who has never learned to say ¿Qué tal? or Wie geht’s.</p>
<p>Totally worth it. Highly recommended. Go for it. And both German and Spanish are very useful languages.</p>