The Top 10 Best Languages to Learn (And Where to Learn Them!)
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Duolingo streak going strong β¦ but still not confident speaking? Choosing the right language can completely change your study abroad experience and future career opportunities. Here are the top 10 most useful languages to learn β and the best places to learn them abroad.
Top 10 Best Languages to Learn
So, which languages are actually worth your time and effort? Here are the top languages to learn based on global demand, career opportunities, and real-world usefulness.
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Language #1: Spanish
Spanish consistently ranks among the most useful languages to learn, especially for U.S. students. Itβs spoken across Europe, Latin America, and growing communities worldwide β meaning youβll actually use it both professionally and in everyday life.
According to the , Spanish is spoken by more than 600 million people globally, making it one of the most widely spoken languages in the world. The about 600-750 class hours to reach professional working proficiency.
Popular places to learn Spanish through 91ΧΤΕΔ include:
- AlcalΓ‘ de Henares
- Alicante
- Barcelona
- Buenos Aires
- Madrid
- ²ΡΓ©°ωΎ±»ε²Ή
- Monteverde
- Palma de Mallorca
- San Juan
- Santiago
- Santiago de los Caballeros
- Seville
Key applications:
- Business across Latin America
- Healthcare & public service careers
- Music, film, and global pop culture
- Travel opportunities across 20+ countries
Language #2: Chinese
Mandarin Chinese is often considered one of the best languages to learn for global careers, particularly in technology and international business.
Language database that Mandarin has more than 1.1 billion speakers worldwide, making it the most spoken language on Earth! The about 2,000 class hours to reach professional working proficiency, categorizing Mandarin as a very difficult language to learn.
Popular place to learn Mandarin through 91ΧΤΕΔ:
Key applications:
- International business
- Technology industries
- Supply chain management
- Global economics
Language #3: French
French remains one of the top languages to learn thanks to its global reach across Europe, Africa, and international institutions.
The that French is spoken by more than 320 million people worldwide and continues to grow rapidly. Similarly to Spanish, the 600-750 class hours to reach professional working proficiency.
Popular places to learn French through 91ΧΤΕΔ include:
Key applications:
- Diplomacy & international relations
- NGO and humanitarian work
- Arts, cinema, and culture
- Science and research sectors
Language #4: Arabic
Arabic is one of the most strategically important global languages β and one fewer U.S. students choose, making it especially valuable professionally.
, Arabic is used daily by more than 400 million speakers. The about 2,000 class hours to reach professional working Proficiency, meaning Arabic is a very difficult language to learn.
Popular places to learn Arabic through 91ΧΤΕΔ include:
Key applications:
- Diplomacy & foreign service
- Journalism
- International business
- Global policy careers
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Language #5: Japanese
Japan continues to lead innovation in robotics, gaming, and advanced technology β making Japanese a powerful language for STEM-focused students.
roughly 125 million Japanese speakers worldwide. Similarly to Mandarin and Arabic, the it would take about 2,200 class hours to reach professional working proficiency.
Popular places to learn Japanese through 91ΧΤΕΔ include:
Key applications:
- Robotics & engineering
- Gaming industries
- Technology innovation
- International business
Language #6: German
German is highly beneficial for students pursuing careers in engineering, sustainability, science, or international business within Europe. As a leading language of research and innovation, German supports academic and professional opportunities across global industries.
that there are more than 150 million German language speakers globally. The that German requires around 30 weeks to reach professional working proficiency.
Popular place to learn German through 91ΧΤΕΔ:
Key applications:
- Engineering & manufacturing
- Philosophy & academia
- Sustainability innovation
- International business
Language #7: Portuguese
Portuguese is increasingly recognized as one of the good foreign languages to learn due to ΅ώ°ω²Ή³ϊΎ±±τβs economic influence and the global reach of Portuguese-speaking countries across Europe, South America, and Africa. Learning Portuguese also provides access to opportunities in ±Κ΄Η°ω³Ω³ά²΅²Ή±τβs growing technology, startup, and sustainability sectors within the European Union.
that more than 270 million people speak Portuguese across the globe. The it would take 600-750 class hours to be proficient in Portuguese.
Popular places to learn Portuguese through 91ΧΤΕΔ include:
Key applications:
- Renewable energy & sustainability
- International business
- Environmental policy
- South American diplomacy
Language #8: Korean
South Koreaβs global impact in entertainment, electronics, and innovation has made Korean one of the fastest-growing languages among students.
, Korean is spoken by about 80 million people worldwide, and the it takes around 2,200 class hours to be proficient in the language β making it a difficult language to learn.
Popular place to learn Korean through 91ΧΤΕΔ:
Key applications:
- Electronics engineering
- Media & entertainment industries
- International business
- Diplomacy
Language #9: Italian
Italian benefits students interested in creative industries such as fashion, design, architecture, and the arts. Learning the language deepens cultural understanding while supporting careers connected to global heritage and luxury markets.
that there are more than 65 million Italian speakers across the globe. The believes it would take around 600-750 class hours to reach professional working proficiency.
Popular places to learn Italian through 91ΧΤΕΔ include:
Key applications:
- Fashion & design
- Architecture
- Art history
- International business
Language #10: Russian
Russian is a valuable language for students interested in global politics, international relations, science, and regional studies across Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Learning Russian helps students develop strong analytical and cross-cultural communication skills while gaining insight into a region that plays a major role in global history, energy markets, and geopolitics.
, there are more than 250 million Russian speakers in the world and the estimates that it would take around 44 weeks or 1,100 class hours to reach professional working proficiency.
Popular place to learn Russian through 91ΧΤΕΔ:
Key applications:
- International relations & diplomacy
- Political science and security studies
- Energy and environmental policy
- Literature, history, and cultural studies
Learn Languages Abroad with 91ΧΤΕΔ
Language apps help you memorize vocabulary. Studying abroad helps you live the language.
When you study abroad with 91ΧΤΕΔ, youβre practicing daily β ordering food, navigating cities, making friends, and building confidence. So, if youβre still deciding βwhat language should I learn,β start with this question instead: Where do you want your global experience to take you?