Explore 7 Best Languages To Learn

Do you love languages and have the desire to learn a new language? Look no further. This article presents some of the best languages to learn today.

There are diverse nations and tribes all over the world. Interestingly, there are seven thousand different languages all over the globe today.

This is why choosing what language to learn may be tricky. Nevertheless, learning a new language is fun.

It improves your brain power, sharpens your memory and creativity, and makes you appreciate cultural differences. You can equally land a job because of your ability to speak multiple languages.

So what are the best languages to learn? Which of them presents you with better opportunities?

This article aims to let you know the best languages to learn so you can build global relevance and be in a better position for opportunities.

Read on.

1. English

Over 1.35 billion people have English as their official lingua franca or second language. It is the most learned language in the world due to the sheer number of its speakers.

Most English speakers live in North America, parts of sub-Saharan Africa, and Europe. The influence of English is evident in academics and business because it dominates the world.

Most website content is written in English. Therefore, as we move closer to a digital world, it would be thoughtful to learn English as a second language.

Furthermore, English has become the world’s lingua franca. For any business looking to go global, it is mandatory to incorporate English to improve brand awareness among many English speakers.

2. Mandarin

Over 1.402 billion people live in China, making it the most populous nation. Many Mandarin speakers are from China, with more than 1.2 billion people understanding the dialect.

However, it is one of the best languages to learn because the country is rapidly becoming an economic powerhouse. Moreover, it ranks as the second most widespread language on the internet.

Its influence spreads across all of Asia and the rest of the world. Therefore, it is a close contender for the primary business language in the world.

It is important to note that the language is not easy to learn, but the benefit of knowing it is worth it.

3. Spanish

The Spanish language is well-spoken by over 559 million people globally, and the United States has the second-largest population of Spanish speakers.

Other regions where the native Spanish speakers are situated are Spain, significant parts of South America, Mexico, Equatorial Guinea, and  Morocco.

The high number of Spanish speakers in the United States and the flourishing Spanish economy can create opportunities for those interested in learning the language.

Lastly, individuals and businesses looking to invest in new markets can take advantage of the high population of Spanish-speaking individuals in major countries like the USA.

Interestingly, learning Spanish is quite easy.

4. German

Worldwide, about 130 million people speak German as their native language. Furthermore, German is the official language in major European countries like Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, and Germany.

German is an essential language in the European Union and is the fourth most widespread language on the internet. In addition, about 750,000 jobs in the United States are provided by German companies.

This makes German one of the best languages to learn. Germany is an economic powerhouse in Europe with the best Gross Domestic Product, and they are also advanced in technology. They are looking to establish their name all over the world.

5. French

Just like English, the French language dominates the world. The language has around seventy-six million native speakers.

About two hundred and thirty-six million people speak French fluently. At the same time, French is the official language in some African countries.

Interestingly, before the rise of the United States and the English language, French was mainly useful for diplomacy. Today, it is the second most spoken language in Europe.

Lastly, one of the best languages to learn is French if you are looking for global tourism, fashion, and art opportunities.

6. Arabic

Popular in the Middle Eastern region and a section of North-Eastern Africa, Arabic is widely used by Over 450 million people who speak the Arabic language. It is also one of the five most spoken languages in the world.

The Middle East is one of the world’s most thriving economies, and its Gross Domestic Product has been increasing over the last five years.

Studies have also shown that more people have been relocating to the Middle East to gain employment due to its economic boost, especially with the exploitation of oil and tourism.

Therefore, Arabic may be the next big thing in the coming future as the economy of the Middle East continues to expand.

7. Portuguese

The language is the third-most spoken European language and the sixth-most spoken world language, with about 270 million native and second-language speakers.

It is spoken in some parts of South America, like Brazil, and a few parts of Africa, including Mozambique, Sao Tome, Angola, Guinea Bissau, and Cape Verde.

The Portuguese language is ahead of French, German, and Italian in popularity and is known to be the official language of eight countries.

It is also an official language in the European Union, the African Union, and the Economic Community of West African States.

In parts of South America, especially Brazil, the Portuguese language can come in handy due to the economic progress contributed by companies of Portuguese origin.

Furthermore, international relationships with Asian countries have welcomed learning the language.

7. Russia

Russia is the ninth most populated country in the world, and the country has one of the most significant landmasses, spanning Europe and Asia, also known as Eurasia.

It is also a powerhouse in world politics, diplomacy and the world’s sixth-largest economy.

About 258 million people all over the world speak the Russian language. It is also the most spoken native language in Europe.

The total number of speakers makes it the eighth most spoken language in the world. Russian is also one of the six official languages of the United Nations.

After English, Russian is the second most common language on the internet. Often, most internet content is translated into Russian for the market in Russia. Russian is one of the most complicated languages to learn.

Yet, it is one of the best languages to learn if you seek opportunities in Eastern Europe, where Russian companies dominate physics and engineering.

What are the benefits of learning a new language?

There are many reasons why people tend to learn more than one language. Some of them include the following:

1. Better opportunities

You may come across a job, business, or scholarship opportunity in a foreign country with essential prerequisites for proficiency in a particular language.

No matter how competent you are, your chances of getting that opportunity may be slim because you do not have basic language knowledge.

Learning a second language can expose you to better opportunities in the future that would be of benefit to your career or business.

Most companies now deal with clients worldwide, so having the ability to speak multiple languages gives you a competitive edge over your colleagues.

2. Travel or relocation advantage

There could be a time when you would have to travel to a foreign country for a specific reason. It could be to advance your education or career. It could also be that you are on vacation.

Going to a country that doesn’t speak your first language may be a big challenge in communicating with the locals of the foreign country.

You may be a victim of fraud and other unpleasant circumstances if you are not careful.

It is essential to learn a second language to avoid having a pool of negative experiences in a new place. This will expose you to a new culture and save you from getting duped.

3. Memory boost

Learning a new language boosts your memory. Research shows that people who speak more than one language are better at processing information with their brains.

They are known for their analytic and problem-solving skills. Furthermore, the conditioning of the brain’s memory helps them recall new words and grammar, which allows them to transition from one language to another when speaking.

Lastly, it is easier for children to learn languages faster than adults because their brains are still developing, and whatever they know, they internalize it faster. This does not mean that adults cannot learn rapidly too.

4. Improved academic performance

Actively learning a new language can help to improve the academic performance of students.

This is because you train your brain to retain faster as you learn new words. Therefore, you can easily withhold information related to your learning and education.

Furthermore, multitasking becomes easy when you learn a new language. The ability to multitask is essential for boosting academic performance.

5. Increases your knowledge of foreign culture

Learning a new language gives you a glimpse of a new culture aside from yours. As a result, you learn to appreciate the culture of other nationalities and tribes.

In addition, you get to learn how to communicate better when you understand the culture that guides it.

Understanding this culture would save you from using inappropriate words and slang which may be offensive.

Learning the culture through language can save you from isolation and depression when you move to a new location different from your own.

You will always find it easy to integrate with contemporary society, and your communication will increase with time.

6. Improves your language skills

Some languages are similar, so learning a new one can expose you to other languages similar to it.

For example, if you have a good knowledge of Spanish, there is an excellent chance that you will understand Portuguese, French or Italian in no time.

FAQs

Should you learn a new language?

Yes. It would be best if you learned a new language, as this would help you become more relevant to yourself and others.

Also, you never know when you may need it. It’s a great way to get yourself engaged during your leisure hours.

How can you learn new languages?

You can learn new languages from YouTube videos or enroll in online courses in the language you wish to learn. Also, some universities offer linguistic studies as a course of study.

What are the reasons for learning a new language?

There are many benefits to learning a new language. They include problem-solving and critical thinking skills, a stronger memory, multitasking skills, better communication skills, and stronger concentration.

Can anyone learn a new language?

Yes. Anyone can learn a new language. All it takes is determination and the willingness to learn.

Conclusion

With the different languages available worldwide, learning at least one new language is wise, as the benefits are enormous.

However, being multilingual is not a yardstick for global relevance, but it will surely add to your skill set.

Furthermore, being multilingual is highly beneficial for those who aspire to work as translators, diplomats, international development workers, tour guides, and travel agents.

In addition, you should learn English if it is not your first language since it is regarded as one of the world’s most widely spoken and adopted languages.

Also, learning Spanish is an excellent option since it relates to Portuguese and French, increasing your language skills.

Perhaps you wish to learn some of the best languages but need motivation for self-learning as you cannot afford to pay for courses. Check out the article on becoming a pro in self-learning.

Thank you for reading.