Is learning a foreign language your New Year’s resolution? You’re not alone! While selecting the language you will learn is a personal decision, we suggest you consider the following!
Spanish
Because Spanish is the second-most widely spoken language in the United States (after English), it will likely come in handy – especially if you live in California, New York, Florida, or Texas, where there are large populations of native Spanish speakers. Being bi-lingual is also a valuable asset in the workforce.
French
French is known as the “language of love” for a reason: It’s associated with culture, history, literature, art, and more. But it’s also a practical language, touted by Bloomberg as the second-most useful foreign language for business. Because it is notoriously challenging to master the French accent and pronunciation, make sure that whatever platform you use has a strong oral or speaking component.
Latin
Learning a new language is hard, but learning an old one? That’s just fun! Latin has been proven to be a valuable tool in improving English reading and writing skills, increasing vocabulary, and even enhancing problem-solving abilities. If you’re interested in history and languages of the past, Latin is one you’ll want to have in your arsenal.
German
Since English is a Germanic language, you may find more similarities than you think. In either case, learning German is a great use of time, even if you’re not going to use it on a daily basis.
Mandarin
If you are seeking a particularly challenging language, Mandarin Chinese could be for you. With 1.2 billion native speakers, Mandarin is the most spoken native language in the world. That said, learning Mandarin is said to take more than four times as many hours as learning any of the languages above, so it will be important to invest in a reputable class or tutor.
Learning a new language is fun, but it can be tedious and challenging. You shouldn’t expect to be fluent within a year. Instead, set a goal for yourself to practice your chosen language a certain number of hours per week. Then, you’ll be well on your way!