The Easiest Languages to Learn for English Speakers
Learning a new language is a great way to expand your knowledge and experience the world from a different perspective. Whether you are preparing for your next trip abroad, furthering your education, or just making conversation more entertaining, knowing more than one language can open you up to new ideas and cultures. In particular, English speakers have it easy because of the languages that are closest to their native tongue. Here are the top 7 easiest languages for English speakers to learn.
- Spanish
Spanish is one of the most popular languages for individuals who want to learn a second language, and for good reason! Spanish is the second most spoken language in the world, and with 300 million native speakers, there are plenty of resources to access in order to perfect your Spanish. Furthermore, Spanish is a Romance language, meaning many of its roots have evolved from Latin and similar sources. As a result, English speakers should find Spanish relatively easy to learn; afterall, both languages are based on the same alphabet and many of the phrases sound similar—think, “el perro” and “the dog.”
- French
Another Romance language based on Latin, French is spoken in many countries, and is the language of love. Also, French has thousands of English cognates. A cognate is a word that sounds and looks the same in both English and French, but with a different meaning. So if you know the word “essence” in English, you’d also know it in French. Furthermore, French grammar is relatively simple, making it a great language for English speakers to choose.
- Italian
Italian has many similarities to French and Spanish, so English speakers should be comfortable with some basic phrases. As with those languages, Italian is a Romance language so its pronunciation, the spelling of its vocabulary, and the structure of its phrases make it easily accessible to English speakers. Plus, Italian is used in many famous works, including opera and literature, thereby increasing its reputation around the world.
- Dutch
Dutch is a great choice for English speakers to learn quickly, since its roots come from a Germanic language family, which English is also part of. As a result, Dutch has many similar grammar and pronunciation aspects to English. Plus, since Dutch is the official language of The Netherlands, many English words have been adopted and integrated into the language, so English speakers should feel right at home when speaking Dutch.
- Norwegian
Norwegian may technically be in the same language family as English, but it still has a unique sound. Norwegian grammar is relatively similar to English, and many of its words were adopted from English, particularly related to business and technology. As a result, many English speakers feel more comfortable with Norwegian than other Germanic languages.
- Swedish
Like Norwegian, Swedish is also part of the Germanic language family and draws many of its words from English. Swedish is associated with the culture of Scandinavia, so English speakers have access to additional cultural activities and events when they learn the language. Even more, many English words have been adopted into Swedish, so if you know “internet” in English you can recognize the same word in Swedish.
- Portuguese
Similar to Spanish, Portuguese is a Romance language, so it shares many of its roots with English. Furthermore, the pronunciation of its words make it easier for English speakers to comprehend, and the grammar is more uncomplicated than many of the other romance languages. Therefore, Portuguese has become a popular option in recent years for individuals who want to learn a language but don’t want to spend hours honing its grammar.
Learning a new language can be incredibly rewarding and opens your world up to new experiences. As an English speaker, you have a few great options that allow you to learn the basics quickly and can have you conversing in a foreign language in no time. The top 7 easiest languages for English speakers to learn include Spanish, French, Italian, Dutch, Norwegian, Swedish, and Portuguese. Each language has its own unique culture and style, so take the time to research each one and see which one will be most beneficial to your life and goals.
A Guide to Language Resources
Once you have decided which language to start your education, the next step is finding what resources you need to become a fluent speaker. Here are a few of the best recommended language resources:
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Language Software: Companies such as Rosetta Stone, Babbel, and Duolingo are some of the most popular language software applications available. They offer courses that teach you the basics but can also take you through a more advanced level of understanding.
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Books: Many beginners pick up language books, such as Teach Yourself and Berlitz books, as a great place to start. These books often include audio for pronunciation and conversation practice.
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Mobile Language Applications: There are also many great language applications available for smartphones, such as the iStart Language series by AllSet Learning, that provide everything you need right in the palm of your hand.
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Travel: Of course, if you’re fortunate enough to take a lot of trips abroad, nothing compares to spending some time immersed in a culture and conversing with local people.
No matter what your goal is in terms of becoming a proficient language speaker, there are plenty of resources available to help you get there. Pick the language you are interested in, look into the type of resources available, and work hard to reach your target. You will be speaking a second (or even third!) language before you know it.
