German is one of the world's major languages and the most widely spoken first language in the European Union. Globally, the German language is spoken by approximately 120 million native speakers and also by about 80 million non-native speakers.

German is primarily spoken in Germany (where it is the first language for more than 95% of the population), Austria (89%) and Switzerland (65%). German is also spoken by the majority of the populations of Luxembourg and Liechtenstein. German is the third-most taught foreign language in the English-speaking world, after French and Spanish. The German language is the second most known foreign language in the EU. Study abroad and learn German in Germany along with an activity such as skiing.