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Learning a new language can significantly enhance your travel experiences, help you connect with locals, and create opportunities for work and study abroad. Selecting the best language to learn in 2024 requires thoughtful consideration and dedication.
Mastering a second or even third language offers numerous benefits. It stimulates brain development, boosts memory, improves decision-making, and enhances self-control. Being bilingual allows travellers to fully immerse themselves in countries where the language is spoken. With so many advantages, the question remains: How do you choose the right language to learn?
Continue reading to explore the top languages to learn in 2024!
1. Chines
🕐 Approximate time to learn: 88 weeks (2200 class hours)
🗣️ Number of speakers: 1.3 billion
📍 Popular places to learn Chinese include China, Taiwan, and Singapore.
Chinese is spoken by 1.3 billion people worldwide, making it an essential language to consider learning. Despite its various vernacular variations, Chinese shares a common writing system, which means learning one dialect enables you to communicate in writing with speakers of other dialects.
Learning Chinese can be challenging, so it is crucial to find a good program that provides plenty of practice opportunities. As Chinese becomes increasingly important in business, investing time in learning the language is highly beneficial.
Mandarin, the official language of China and a prominent Chinese dialect, is the preferred choice for learners. Mastering Mandarin allows you to communicate with millions globally, particularly in China’s vast and growing economy. Knowing Mandarin opens up opportunities for both business and travel. While learning its many unique characters is challenging, it offers an intellectually stimulating experience.
2. Spanish
🕐 Approximate time to learn: 30 weeks (600-750 class hours)
🗣️ Number of speakers: 595 million total speakers
📍 Popular places to learn Spanish include Costa Rica, Spain, and Mexico.
Spanish consistently ranks highly among global languages for several reasons. With 477 million native speakers and over 550 million speakers worldwide, it holds official status in more than 20 countries. Additionally, it is a widely spoken second language in the United States, with approximately 13% of the population using it at home.
If you’re not attending in-person classes, you can still find plenty of Spanish learning resources online. Platforms like Netflix offer a wide range of Spanish-language shows, including the popular series Money Heist, which can help enhance your comprehension. Start by watching with English subtitles, and as you improve, try watching without them. This gradual approach will steadily boost your language skills.
3. Korean
🕐 Approximate time to learn: 88 weeks (2200 class hours)
🗣️ Number of speakers: 80.7 million total speakers
📍 Popular places to learn Korean include South Korea.
Korean is the 18th most popular language globally, spoken by over 75 million people. Its importance is growing due to Korea’s influence in politics and culture worldwide.
Learning Korean is often seen as easier and more logical compared to Chinese. The Korean alphabet, Hangul, contains only 24 letters, specifically designed to match pronunciation, making it simpler to write.
Beyond its cultural impact through K-pop and Korean entertainment, South Korea is home to some of the world’s largest companies. Learning the basics of Korean can provide valuable career growth and open up opportunities abroad.
4. French
🕐 Approximate time to learn: 24 weeks (575-600 hours)
🗣️ Number of speakers: 320 million total speakers
📍 Popular places to learn French include France, Canada, and Switzerland.
French is the second most widely learned foreign language after English, and it’s easy to understand why. As the official language of 29 countries, including France and Canada, you’ll likely be able to communicate with locals when visiting places like Tunisia, Senegal, or Switzerland.
With over 300 million French speakers globally, French is taught in almost every country. It’s also regarded as one of the easier languages to learn, with plenty of French content available for practice.
As a Romance language, French is related to Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, and Romanian. Learning French can help you become a polyglot, making it easier to learn other Romance languages or even pick it up more quickly if you already speak one.
5. German
🕐 Approximate time to learn: 36 weeks (900 class hours)
🗣️ Number of speakers: 75.76 million native speakers
📍 Popular places to learn German include Germany and Austria.
English speakers may find German somewhat familiar, as both languages belong to the same language family. Spoken in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, German is an excellent choice for those who value precise grammar rules.
Historically, German was known as the “language of science” until English took over after World War I. However, German still boasts a rich history in scientific and academic literature, making it an invaluable language for anyone interested in these fields.
As the most widely spoken first language in the European Union, German offers endless travel opportunities. It’s also crucial for business, as Germany has the fourth-largest economy globally and is the third-largest exporter. Many of history’s greatest artists and thinkers were German, and today, it remains a dominant language in science, art, philosophy, and literature.
6. Japanese
🕐 Approximate time to learn: 88 weeks (2200 class hours)
🗣️ Number of speakers: 125 million native speakers
📍 Popular places to learn Japanese include Japan.
Japanese is primarily spoken in Japan, but there are several compelling reasons to learn it. First, the challenge is substantial. With three writing systems, complex grammar, and few related languages, Japanese is considered one of the most difficult languages to master.
However, the effort is well worth it. Japan’s rich and unique history makes it a top travel destination. Additionally, learning Japanese can be enjoyable, especially if you’re a fan of anime and want to use it as practice.
Japan boasts the third-largest economy in the world and is home to some of the most innovative companies. Japanese is also the third most spoken language on the Internet, making it vital for global business communication. With the shift toward a more virtual business environment, knowing one of the key Internet languages will give you a significant edge.
7. Italian
🕐 Approximate time to learn: 23-24 weeks (575-600 hours)
🗣️ Number of speakers: 63 million
📍 Popular places to learn Italian include: Italy and Switzerland
Italian is an excellent choice for English speakers looking to broaden their language skills, as both languages share Latin roots, resulting in many similarities in vocabulary and pronunciation. Interestingly, Italian is now the fastest-growing language in U.S. high schools and colleges, surpassing both Spanish and German. However, the number of U.S. households speaking Italian has declined since 2000.
Italy, one of the world’s leading economies, boasts the most cultural heritage sites globally, making it a top travel destination filled with both professional and cultural opportunities. Learning Italian will enhance your experience in Italy, enabling more meaningful and authentic interactions.
8. Portuguese
🕐 Approximate time to learn: 23-24 weeks (575-600 hours)
🗣️ Number of speakers: 260 million
📍 Popular places to learn Portuguese include Brazil and Portugal.
Portuguese, spoken by 200 million native speakers and nearly 270 million people globally, is the fifth most natively spoken language in the world. Its influence extends beyond Brazil and Portugal to several African nations, including Angola, Guinea-Bissau, and Cape Verde. Portuguese is the official language of 10 countries across South America, Africa, and Europe.
Learning Portuguese is also an excellent choice for art lovers. Brazil is the birthplace of iconic musical genres like bossa nova, samba, and funk carioca. Additionally, Portuguese is the language of famous writers such as Paulo Coelho and José Saramago.
9. Hindi
🕐 Approximate time to learn: 44 weeks (1100 class hours)
🗣️ Number of speakers: 585.5 million
📍 Popular places to learn Hindi include India, Singapore, and Nepal.
Did you know that Hindi is the third most spoken language globally? Learning Hindi can boost your career, particularly if you’re interested in international business. It also allows you to connect with Hindi-speaking communities worldwide.
If you already speak English, learning Hindi might be easier than you think. Words like “bungalow”, “jungle”, and “shampoo” all have their origins in Hindi.
10. Arabic
🕐 Approximate time to learn: 88 weeks (2200 class hours)
🗣️ Number of speakers: 375.4 million
📍 Popular places to learn Hindi include Egypt, Jordan, and Morocco.
Arabic is a beautiful language, though it can be challenging for English speakers due to significant regional variations. For instance, an Arabic speaker from Lebanon might struggle to understand someone from Algeria.
Most language programs focus on Modern Standard Arabic (MSA), a standardized version taught in schools across the Arab world. Learning MSA enables you to communicate with Arabic speakers from nearly any country, as it’s widely used in governments, businesses, and journalism globally.
If you’re interested in a specific Arabic-speaking country, learning the local dialect can be helpful for daily life and making connections. Popular dialects include Egyptian, Levantine, and North African.
The United States recognizes Arabic as a language of strategic importance. Given its influence in international affairs, mastering Arabic can open up numerous lucrative career opportunities both within and outside the government.
Learn a new language in 2024
Ultimately, the best language to learn is the one that excites you the most. This passion will keep you motivated to study and practice, regardless of the challenges. Whether you aim to seal business deals in Mandarin or connect with locals in Egypt, your dedication will unlock new opportunities. So, why not begin learning a new language in 2024?
Conclusion
Deciding to learn a new language in 2024 can unlock countless opportunities for travel, work, and personal growth. Whether it’s Mandarin Chinese, French, Japanese, or Arabic, each language brings its own set of unique benefits. Regardless of the language you choose, there are plenty of resources to support you, including online courses, language apps, local classes, and immersion programs. Begin your language-learning journey today and explore the possibilities that lie ahead!
