Can anyone recommend a good way to (re)learn a language for a work context?

[Pipistrella]

I'm a single parent, at home, trying to brush up on my German so I can use it to get a job in a year or so. I already have GCSE but need to get really good at it.

Tried Duolingo but it's not great, it seems more suited to a tourist - maybe it gets harder later - but is there a more efficient way to really get back into it properly so I can apply for jobs where you need to speak it something approaching fluently?

Has anyone done this - did you need to do a college course? Hoping I can do it at home iyswim. (toddler on lap as we speak!)

Thanks

You would ordinarily need to spend a significant period of time in a country to be able to speak the language to a reasonably fluent level. There are language schools across Europe that offer intensive, immersion courses but these aren't cheap.

Your best bet would probably be to see what is available at your local FE college - there should be 'A' level courses as a minimum. The Open University also runs good language courses. Duolingo is a good tool and if you persist with it, your grounding will be solid which will give you something to build on. When did you do your GCSE?

Where do you live OP? Been learning German so know of a few good places. You could also find a tutor you could Skype with.

I am relearning Spanish, which I used to be proficient in (masters level) but haven't used for nearly 10 years

I can recommend the audio courses by michel Thomas, you can get them on eBay a bit cheaper.
I have been listening in the car on my way to work and find them good.
Also TV/ YouTube and podcasts in the chosen language.

If you have time (unlikely, I know) you could get some advanced grammar books with answers?

A local college course would be good. Language evening classes are normally a couple of hours once a week. The rest of the studying you could do from home in between classes.

I have to say, you're unlikely to get 'really good' in just a year with only GCSE to start with. At best you could get to A Level standard in a year. It's a pretty reasonable level, but it depends exactly what the job would entail.

One problem you might encounter is that fewer evening classes seem to be on offer in languages at the moment (at least where I am), and German is definitely in decline.

Hopefully you'll find something though if you look hard enough.

If you could follow up an A level course with a summer immersion course abroad as suggested by fed up that would be really beneficial... but not cheap.

Good luck!

Is there s German conversation group in your town? I used to go to a French convo group to keep up my French.

Thanks ever so much everyone. I do speak German on and off and am sailing through the basic levels on Duolingo, also I tried taking a Deutsche Welle 'placing' test to try and establish what level I'm at and came out with 87% which I was pleased with - they have a lot of podcasts on their website which I'm intending to try.

I think I was wondering which courses would be looked on with respect by a potential employer - you know, in terms of a qualification - maybe an A level would be the best bet as you suggest.

My sister lived in Germany for 10 years and speaks it fluently but I don't think I have time for that! She had a job translating the legal contracts for the Harry Potter films at one point, I'm not aiming that high but I saw some jobs for language assistants at a local school, you know, for taking the kids in conversation sessions.

I'd like to do that sort of thing. Presumably you don't have to be totally fluent for that?

It's one thing I am actually good at so I'm going to persevere as I know I can do it better than probably anything else - workwise, anyway. It's that or working in Tesco, given my 3 A levels and no degree.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news but language assistants are normally native speakers, so although it depends on the school, it might not be that easy to get a job.

It's great that you find it easy and enjoy it. I'm sure there are lots of jobs you could do, but you might need more training first. A-Levels are definitely well regarded, so trying to get a German A Level qualification would be a good idea.

Oh, dear. Thanks for the heads up.

The advert just said German speaker - it didn't specify native - but I guess it depends who else applied.

There were other jobs mainly things like phone call handling for clients abroad, sort of thing.

Would that be more realistic?

I think that would definitely be realistic. Some sort of bilingual secretary job perhaps?
nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/advice/planning/jobprofiles/Pages/bilingualsecretary.aspx

Some bilingual secretaries have degrees, but depends on the company. You might find something suitable with A-Level German.

Don't let me put you off applying for the role though. It will depend on the school. If it's high achieving, teaches to A Level etc, then I doubt you'd get it. But, if it's more about supporting small groups of weak/reluctant GCSE students, then you'd definitely stand a chance if you show you're good with students as well as the language. You never know unless you try.

Thank you so so much - fantastic advice