I don't "need" it really, I just have this desire to learn the language. I didn't like spanish so I'm not taking a 3rd year of it. But I think that knowing another language is important and opens your mind to different styles of communication.
To restate the question: Whats the best way to learn German? Online program? Community College?
Ich will Deutsch lernen!!!
Oops, sorry, I've been neglecting the thread I started - how stereotypically ENFP of me! Great ideas, no follow-through! DOH!
The reason why I asked the question is because your requirements determine the best way to learn. If you want to learn how to speak fluently, for example, an online program would be a bad idea because you learn through passive acquisition - mainly reading and listening with some writing. Speaking fluently requires active acquisition, which is only accomplished through taking classes and finding a native speaker with whom you can communicate on a regular basis.
If you had said you needed it for a job, I would have suggested a year abroad, preferably more, if possible. You can become fluent only if you go to the actual country, live there, and breathe in the culture. You hear native speakers, and you have to practice. Be wary of people who want to speak English. Be polite but firm and say you are here to practice German.
Since you mentioned that you do not "need" it per se, you could get away with attending community college classes. Just be wary of the fact that community colleges may have large classes, which makes the "student talking time" go down dramatically. For example, if you have a class with 10 pupils (and that is small, but I assume not as many people want to learn German) and the class lasts ninety minutes a week, you get to talk only NINE minutes a week, assuming there is equal speaking distribution and the teacher is absolutely silent, which never *EVER* happens.
On the other hand, if you are just doing it for the hell of it, it is not really essential to speak fluently, so community classes could be a cost-effective measure. Lack of motivation could be a problem, however, especially if the other students do not need German for professional purposes.
Another possibility could be going to a language school. This is preferable if you really want intensive one-on-one or small-group training. However, the downside is that it is extremely expensive.
If you are willing and able, working as an au-pair or in an internship abroad would be another opportunity. Then you get paid for your experience abroad as opposed to having to pay for it. Another possibility is getting a scholarship to teach English abroad or to apply to a language school in Germany. Then you could teach English while having the opportunity to learn the language in person.
So it is definitely not the case that you have to be rich in order to stay abroad. You just have to be motivated and willing to put in a little time and effort.
Online classes would be best for someone who is studying a subject that requires reading and analyzing German texts. Then only passive acquisition is needed. It could also be good for people who want a cost-effective method to get a 'taste' for the language before they embark on a trip to a country or do something more expensive.
I hope this helps!
