Updated 1/18/2022
New year, new me. And why not a new language? Learning a new language is on a lot of people’s to-do lists for 2022. Deciding to learn a new language is fairly easy, but actually doing it can be challenging. Especially when you have so many languages to choose from -where do you even start? Here we will take you through some of your best options, to help you choose your new language.
What are the best languages to learn in 2022?
Learning a new language seems to have become more popular and accessible in recent years. There certainly are a lot of benefits of language learning. It’s a great way to expand your personal horizons, connect with new people and cultures, and become more eligible for international job opportunities. The pandemic has made it extra clear, that having an extra language on your CV can be extremely helpful in your search for employment. There’s no doubt, that knowing any of the following 5 languages as a second language will be very helpful in your career!
Getting to a conversational level takes some time, so let’s not waste another minute! Here are the 5 best languages to learn this year.
#1 Mandarin Chinese
What are the top reasons to learn Mandarin?
First of all, it’s the most spoken language globally (aside from English), with around 1.12 billion speakers. One 7th of the world’s population speaks this language!
Secondly, Chinese is the second-highest in-demand language besides English. China is well-known as the world’s fastest-growing economy. So knowing this language is definitely beneficial for your international business dealings. Furthermore, Chinese culture is definitely worth your attention.
And guess what: according to a 2015 study, learning and using Mandarin activates both the right and left sides of your brain! This is particularly interesting, as languages like English are only processed in the left side of the brain. Only tonal languages, like Mandarin, are shown to engage with the right side – specifically with a part of the brain that processes music. How fascinating is that?
How hard is it to learn Mandarin?
A lot of people consider Mandarin Chinese to be a complicated language. This is mostly because the characters may seem complicated to read and write. In this previous article, we tried to break down the basics of the language to make it more approachable. We also talk about the fact that there are actually a lot of similarities between Chinese and English grammar. Chinese even seems simpler in many cases!
When it comes to pronunciation, speakers of Romance languages may have a harder time. Although, Weicong Liang, a Chinese instructor, notes that it seems easier for his British students. He also estimates that most students can handle everyday situations in Chinese after just 6 months. Some of them can even directly enter a Chinese university after one year of study. Get started yourself by reading some tips on how to master this language.
#2 Spanish
What are the top reasons to learn Spanish?
The language of Cervantes. The language of romance. The official language of 21 countries. These reasons should be enough to show you the opportunities, the knowledge, that this language can bring along. Need more?
What about being able to communicate with 543 million people worldwide? Besides that, the future of the Spanish language is quite promising. According to the Cervantes Institute from the U.S. Census Bureau, the USA will become the largest Spanish-speaking country by 2050, with 138 million speakers. In addition, no matter the industry you are in, speaking this language can make a real difference and unlock plenty of career opportunities.
How hard is it to learn Spanish?
In this article, we tried to help make it a little easier for you to learn Spanish. In case you already speak a Romance language, memorizing new words will be quite simple. Native English speakers are in luck too – a whopping 30% of the English vocabulary has Latin origins!
According to the US Foreign Service Institute, it will take you about 24-30 weeks (600-750 hours) to achieve proficiency as an English-speaking person. Access to a Spanish-speaking community or the interaction with a native speaker will definitely help you get there.
Good news! At Swap Language, you can find a native language exchange partner for free. Or you can start with some simple common phrases. What are you waiting for?
#3 Russian
Why is Russian one of the best languages to learn in 2022?
Aside from English, Russian is the most spoken language in Europe. As a speaker of this language, I can assure you that you will never get lost around Europe by commanding it. A Russian-speaking person will always be there around the corner. We cannot deny the fact that Russia is an important player in the economic and political scene.
Moreover, Russia ranks the 3rd lowest in Europe on English proficiency. So if you wish to work in/with a Russian company, your potential business partners, customers, or future employer will really value the fact that you speak Russian. This makes it one of the best languages to learn in 2022.
How hard is it to learn Russian?
Honestly, Russian is known to be difficult for some people. The first step is to get well acquainted with the Cyrillic alphabet, and you’ll have to get used to the fact that you have to read some Latin letters differently. For instance, Russians read “P” as an “R”, among others.
A lot of learners will want to put emphasis on pronunciation. Rather than sticking with textbooks 24/7, a better solution is to imitate what you hear. And at this point, a language exchange partner will surely be a blessing. Find someone now for free on Swap Language.
#4 German
What are the top reasons to learn German?
Even if you don’t dream of reading Goethe’s Faust in the original language (which I doubt you do), there are plenty of other reasons to learn this language. It’s estimated that 135 million people around the world speak standard German! It is also one of the top languages in international science communities – so if you’re in the world of science, consider learning German. With German companies being located worldwide, this language can really make you attractive to employers. German work culture is quite infamous as well, as they are known to work less but produce more. Learning German could be a step towards getting a job in Germany and bettering your own work-life balance!
How hard is it to learn German?
Let’s be honest here, German grammar has a bad reputation. Learners consider it unpleasant and confusing at times, and even some Germans agree that their language is rigid But don’t be intimidated! Language isn’t only about grammar. Fortunately for English-speaking learners, a lot of German and English words are quite similar. And German grammar is very formulaic, meaning, once you understand the patterns, it will become a lot easier. According to the US FSI, it takes around 36 weeks (900 hours) to reach professional working proficiency.
#5 French
What are the top reasons to learn French?
Ah, the language of love – and diplomacy! French is spoken by around 267 million people worldwide and is still used as a lingua franca in many international political institutions and sporting organizations.
Speaking French gives you the opportunity to make connections, travel, and do business on five continents. Consequently, let’s not forget that the Francophone part of Africa has become an attractive and promising option for investors. In addition to that, French is a big plus for those that move in the worlds of hospitality, visual arts, fashion, etc. And on a personal level, French is a fantastic language to learn if you are very interested in art, literature, architecture, history – the list goes on and on.
How hard is it to learn French?
The US FSI determines that English-speakers can learn to speak French proficiently in about 24-30 weeks (600-750 hours). It’s estimated that 45% of all English words have a French origin, and although tricky at some points, French pronunciation is way easier to command than the English one. In fact, once you master the specific “R” and get used to identifying words when someone speaks really fast, things will seem way easier!
What is the most useful language to learn?
If you are an economic migrant or international student, you might consider learning the language of the country you chose to live in – even if it is not on this list. It would certainly make your stay easier and bring a lot of value to your life.
There is such an unbelievably big selection to choose from in the world of language learning. And of course, once you learn a new language, there’s no way back. Your life and way of thinking and perceiving the world will probably change forever.
Good news for multilingual people: the more languages you’ve got under your belt, the easier it seems to be for your brain to learn a new one! Regardless, go for the language that feels right for you, and don’t be scared by other people saying it’s difficult. Follow your instincts, and remember that bumps in the road are part of the journey. We will help you avoid burning out by navigating some of the most common mistakes 🙂
And don’t forget: Consistency is the key!
