Goethe Institute: Promotion Agency

Europe Dept: BERLIN - Spaniards, Portuguese and others from countries hit hard by the debt crisis are flocking to learn German in hopes of getting jobs in Europe's biggest and strongest economy, according to data obtained by The Associated Press Tuesday, according to Winnipeg Free Press. The number of Spaniards seeking to learn German with their local branch of the Goethe Institute rose by a staggering 35 per cent in 2011, to 9,000 from 6,500 the year before. Neighboring Portugal saw a 20 per cent increase to 2,230 students and two men leave the Germany's culture and language promotion agency, the Goethe Institute, in Berlin Tuesday, March 6, 2012. New figures show a surge of interest in learning German in the countries hardest hit by Europe's economic woes as Spaniards, Italians and others look to Europe's biggest economy in search for jobs. The Goethe Institute, show that the number of Spaniards seeking to learn German in 2011 rose by 35 percent from 6,500 to about 9,000. The data, obtained by The Associated Press Monday, show that the number of those taking classes with the Goethe Institute Lisbon in Portugal rose 20 percent to 2,230. In Italy, the number was up by 14 percent, while in Greece it rose 10 percent. AP Photo/Markus Schreiber Figures from Germany's culture and language promotion agency, the Goethe Institute, show that people in southern Europe where unemployment is high, particularly among the young are clamouring to learn German. Other official data show immigration to Germany from Spain, Greece and Portugal is up sharply. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.