Are you thinking about learning a foreign language?
There are many benefits that come with learning a new language. Not only does learning a new language allow you to communicate with more people, but it can also improve your job prospects, increase your confidence, and improve your memory and brainpower.
But, with over 6,500 spoken languages in the world, how do you know which one you should spend your time learning?
While learning any language is worthwhile, here are some good options to get you started.
1. Spanish
Spanish has over 400 million native speakers around the world and is the official language of 20 countries.
But, speaking Spanish will do a lot more than just open your vacation prospects in South America and Europe.
If you live in North America, this is perhaps the best second language to learn, as 13 percent of US citizens speak Spanish as a first language. In fact, the US has more Spanish speakers than Spain!
Because of this, many employers see it as extremely advantageous if you can speak Spanish fluently.
2. Mandarin
Mandarin is the most spoken language in the world, with over 1.3 billion native speakers.
If you’re looking to climb the corporate ladder, learning Mandarin is one of the smartest moves you can make. This is because China’s GDP is set to take over the US’s in the next 10 years, and China is already the world’s largest trading nation.
However, learning Mandarin is more than just a business opportunity. There are so many speakers worldwide, that you’ll undoubtedly get a chance to practice it both at home and abroad.
If you want to start learning Mandarin as soon as possible, be sure to check out Mandarhythm.com.
3. French
By learning French, you’ll be able to do a lot more than just order a croissant in Paris.
French is actually the official language of 29 countries. A handful of these countries are in Europe, but many are also in Africa and one country in South America (French Guiana) lists French as an official language. And, let’s not forget that there are also many French speakers in Canada.
While there’s a lot of controversy over whether or not French is an “important” language to learn, there’s no doubt that it’s one of the most beautiful languages in the world.
4. Arabic
Arabic is another great language to learn if you’re looking to expand your career opportunities.
If you’re interested in intelligence work, refugee work, or diplomacy, learning this language will help you stand out from other job candidates.
With its right to left script and dozens of dialects, Arabic is certainly a challenge to learn. But, it’s definitely a worthwhile venture.
5. Portuguese
Brazil is said to be the next frontier for South American business, which makes Portuguese a very valuable language to learn.
And, in addition to Brazil and Portugal, Portuguese is the official language in several African countries. This means you’ll have plenty of new travel options at your fingertips when you learn Portuguese.
Plus, Portuguese is a romance language, so if you already know Spanish or French, learning this language should be a breeze.
Learning a Foreign Language: Which One Will You Choose?
As you can see, there are many foreign languages that are worth your while.
In the end, however, you shouldn’t learn a foreign language just to get ahead in life. If you really want to learn a new language, it’s important to choose one that you’re passionate about, as this will help you stick with it.
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