Top 10 Foreign Languages to Learn

Learning a second or third language is essential. The ability to speak two languages is known as bilingualism. It enhances memory, self-control, and decision-making. Beyond the physical benefits, bilingual travelers easily socialize in countries where they speak the language. The benefits cannot be overemphasized, so knowing how to say more languages gives you a better opportunity.

If you are choosing a language, it’s necessary to consider your interests, travel, career goals, and education. But if you are still confused about which language to learn, this article has a list of languages to select from and learn.

1. Chinese

Chinese is one of the most commonly spoken languages in the world. It is spoken in some form by 1.3 billion people, so it is a good choice of language that should be included on your list. Although Chinese is composed of different languages, they use the same writing system, so learning one will still help you communicate with speakers of other languages through the written word.

Chinese is often seen as one of the most difficult languages to learn, which makes it difficult to select a great program that permits many chances to learn. However, there is a high rate of learning the Chinese language in the business world, which makes learning the language worth the effort.

Mandarin is the Chinese language and the official state language of China; it’s the most spoken language option for those studying Chinese. You can talk about so many people worldwide by learning Mandarin. A fundamental understanding of Mandarin creates lots of business and travel opportunities.

2. Spanish

Spanish is almost the highest on the list, and for splendid reasons: it has 477 million native speakers and above 550 million speakers in total; it is the official language of over 20 countries; and it is the unofficial second language of the United States, where about 13% of the people speak Spanish at home.

While the economies in the United States and the United Kingdom aren’t as strong as those in China, they are still booming, making English one of the best languages to learn for the future if you want to make a career in international business.

3. English

Though English is not the native language in most countries, it is widely spoken as a second language worldwide. It is seen as an official language in 39 countries globally, which means it can be a default language if you intend to travel the world. It has a culture widespread on the Internet, top-notch English-taught universities, and the USA’s influx of tourism.

It’s helpful in the following areas:

Useful for travel: 5/5

Number of speakers worldwide: 1,500 million

Useful for education and career: 5/5

Useful for business: 4/5

Opportunities for learning abroad: 4/5

4. French

French is the world’s second most learned foreign language after English; it is straightforward to see why. France and Canada are inclusive. French is the official language of 29 countries, meaning if you visit Senegal, Tunisia, or Switzerland, you can communicate with the local indigenes.

With over 300 million French speakers worldwide, the language is taught in all countries. French is also seen as one of the easiest languages to learn, and the vast presence of French content gives almost unlimited access to materials for learning.

French is a Roman language, meaning it’s related to Portuguese, Spanish, Romanian, and Italian. Learning French will be very important if you wish to be a polyglot, making learning others easier.

5. German

Although it is not easy, people who speak English might discover that German appears to be a little more familiar than other languages. The reason is that they are in the same language family. The language is spoken in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. German is a unique choice for people who enjoy strict grammar rules.

German was once seen as the language of science” before English replaced it after World War I. Although German still has a concise history of scientific and academic literature, it’s a great language to learn if you are interested in it.

German is a widely spoken first language in European countries, creating continuous travel opportunities throughout the continent! German is a very beneficial language for business, as Germany ranks as the 4th biggest economy in the world (in GDP) and the third-largest exporter. Some of the greatest artists and thinkers in the past were from Germany, and it is still a leading language in science, literature, art, and philosophy today.

6. Japanese

Though Japanese is primarily spoken in Japan, there are also many reasons to learn the language. With three writing systems, complex grammar, and virtually no linguistically related languages, Japanese is among the most complicated languages to learn.

It is easy to see why it’s worth the effort, although Japan is a well-known travel destination because of its concise and unique history, and it’s not difficult to encourage yourself to learn.

Japan is the third-largest economy (by GDP) and has some of the most innovative companies on the planet. Japanese is also the third most spoken language on the Internet, allowing essential business communication from home, wherever it might be! With the current move towards a more virtual business environment, learning one of the main languages of the Internet will distinguish you later.

7. Italian

Italian will feel familiar to English speakers who intend to acquire more language skills. English and Italian words and sounds share much of the exact Latin origin. Italian is also one of the fastest-developing languages in US high school and college enrollment; it supersedes Spanish and German. At the same time, enrollment in Italian courses is up.

As one of the top-growing economies worldwide and home to the most cultural heritage areas, Italy is a travel destination with professional opportunities and culturally rich experiences. Being exposed to Italian will create a more influential and authentic experience while you spend time in Italy.

8. Portuguese

With 200 million native speakers and almost 270 million total speakers, Portuguese is the fifth most natively spoken language globally. Its reach goes above that of Brazil and Portugal. Portuguese is spoken in a few African countries, like Angola, Guinea-Bissau, and Cape Verde. It is the official language of 10 countries, covering South America, Africa, and Europe.

However, apart from the numbers, learning Portuguese is a beautiful option for people who appreciate the arts. Numerous musical genres, including samba, bossa nova, and funk carioca, originate in Brazil. Portuguese is the mother tongue of writers like Paolo Coelho and José Saramago.

9. Hindi

Hindi is the third-most spoken language globally. If you are searching for work in international business or any industry, learning to speak Hindi can be useful for building your career and connecting with Hindi-speaking communities globally.

If you speak English fluently, learning Hindi could be much easier than you think. Words such as “jungle,” “bungalow,” and “shampoo” are all derived from Hindi.

10. Arabic

Arabic is a lovely language that is quite difficult for English-speaking people to learn. The reason is that it varies widely based on where it’s spoken. An Arabic speaker from Lebanon might not understand a speaker from Algeria, and vice versa.

Many programs will teach you Modern Standard Arabic, or MSA. This is a standardized version of the language taught in schools around the Arab world and will help you communicate with Arabic speakers in almost any country. MSA is spoken in most businesses, governments, and journalistic practices worldwide.

The United States has approved Arabic as a language of technical importance. As a result of its frequency in international affairs, knowledge of Arabic creates lucrative positions in and outside government.

Final Piece

Finally, the best language to learn is the one you are most interested in, which will encourage you to study and practice despite the challenges you face. So whatever your dream or purpose for wanting to learn a foreign language, just be aware that your efforts will create more opportunities.

ALSO, READ How to Learn a Foreign Language Easily

Originally posted 2024-01-05 00:25:04.