Learning a new language is something a lot of people want to do, but never get around to actually doing. Some people say that they just don't have the time for it. Others think that they simply don't have the aptitude to learn, or maybe that they're too old already to pick up something new. If you're not one of these people are strongly believe that you can and will learn a new language, congratulations! If you have yet to select a language to study, well, why not try to learn to speak German? It's a rich, colorful language that will be sure to exercise your skills, thanks to its complicated letters and pronunciations, and it's the 10th most widely spoken language in the world--wouldn't it be exciting to be among those people who can speak German?

Whether you want to learn to speak German solely for self-improvement or because you are planning a trip to Germany or in other countries like Belgium and Austria, where German is also an official language, it's very important for you to grasp the basics, from vocabulary to the basic phrases like saying "Good morning," "Hello," "Thank you," and so on. When traveling to a German-speaking country, being able to say several key phrases and sentences can get you far; many people like to know that visitors to their country are making an effort to learn the language instead of simply assuming that people everywhere can speak English.

If you're pressed for time and are unable to attend a German language class, you can learn to speak German on your own, if you're really serious about making the effort to learn. Numerous German dictionaries and language textbooks are available in bookstores; even the dictionaries themselves have pages that contain handy phrases as well as German verb conjugation guides. You can also buy learning aids like DVDs and audio CDs which can really help you hear how to pronounce a word correctly; some of these are bundled along with language textbooks.

There are also plenty of websites that help you learn to speak German. Some websites offer free courses and easy access to their resources, while some will actually require a fee and registration. Even if you don't have time to attend an offline German language class, online classes can make it easier for you since you can attend them in the comfort of your home.

With these tips in mind, you can be ready to get started on learning to speak German! All you need is the determination to study, and acquainting yourself with the basics is already a big step towards your goal.