There could be multiple reasons why you might want to learn a second language, or third... or sixth! Whatever it might be, we believe that learning a new language will open up more of the world to you. Being bilingual can also help you achieve professional and personal goals, whether they’d be a big promotion or a grand vacation abroad. So, what better time than the present to prepare yourself for your next adventure? Here are some languages you should consider learning.
Mandarin Chinese
Mandarin Chinese is the language with the most native speakers, and it’s probably no coincidence because of Asia’s vast and diverse population. Mandarin Chinese is also the largest of the Chinese “macrolanguages,” a grouping of thirteen languages all considered being Chinese based on their shared writing system and literature. Although complex, if you choose this language, you’ll be amongst a vast range of speakers around the globe!
Spanish
Second only to Mandarin Chinese, Spanish has 400 million native speakers around the world. Spanish is also the official language of more than twenty countries and is commonly spoken as a first, second, or third language in many more. Today, approximately thirteen percent of the U.S. population speaks Spanish as a first language, and one study predicts that by 2050, the U.S. could have more Spanish-speaking residents than any other country. Talk about a useful language to sink your teeth into!
German
The most widely spoken native language on the European continent, the language of German opens doors to academic, economic, and political powerhouses. Despite many warnings you’ve may have heard in the past, German is actually a fairly simple language for English speakers to learn. English, another complex language, is derived from German, and both share the same rigid (and sometimes, unexpected) structure, rules, and exceptions. So, why not do yourself a favor and pick up some German?
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