Learning German is easier said than done. There are plenty of books, programmes, and methods on how to do it successfully, however the most important thing to realize is that it takes both time and persistence.

In a busy world, time isn't always easy to come by--particularly if you are moving to Germany for work. Some companies will include language courses with expat packages, so that is definitely worth inquiring about during negotiations. Even having a brief knowledge of German will exponentially increase the quality of life here, whether it for understanding a changed train schedule, visiting the doctor, asking directions, or reading a menu.

Being forced to learn the language can lead to some interesting situations, so it certainly helps to have patience and a nice dose of humour. The process can be exciting, frustrating, and sometimes downright scary.

Shortly after I arrived in Munich, a linguistically savvy friend visited. She had not studied German, but was eager to learn simple and useful words. We were at a café and she asked me how to order a coffee to go. I could not recall how to tell them she wanted to take it away. Rather than saying anything in English or motioning I told her to say 'Los!'  While it does in some sense mean 'to go', it translates better to 'move it'. One simple word and the barista thought we were rude and impatient. Of course, her coffee arrived in a mug rather than the paper cup she was hoping for. We kept quiet.

Language schools and integration courses

If you're already living in Germany, it's essential to find a good language school. Ask other expats about their experiences. Surprisingly it's not always the most expensive schools that have great teachers. Depending on the type of visa you have, it's also possible that you qualify for discounted integration courses or you may be required to take courses from certified schools. These courses often comprise a large mix of people from various cultures and all walks of life. Attending classes is actually a lot of fun, because everyone unites over facing similar situations and navigating a new culture. Some of my closest friends are from other cultures and we've learned to speak German as a common language. From my experience, finding a school with a small class size was ideal, because it enabled plenty of speaking time.

Meeting native speakers

Hearing locals pronounce the words also helps, though meeting native speakers can be difficult in the beginning. Many foreigners complain that Germans are 'cold' and the social network is more formal.  A fantastic resource for those that would like to do a language exchange is SprachDuo.