Knowing which is the easiest language to learn according to your mother tongue is an exciting challenge that opens doors to new cultures, opportunities, and personal growth.
For many English speakers and aspiring language learners, finding the easiest language to learn can provide a solid foundation and boost confidence.
In this article, we will explore the “easiest language” concept and delve into the characteristics that make a language easier to acquire. So, let’s embark on this linguistic adventure and discover the path to effortless language learning!
Let us tell you what you will find in this article:
Table of Contents
When we talk about the “easiest language,” we refer to a language that offers a smooth learning curve, minimal linguistic obstacles, and a learner-friendly environment.
While the perception of ease may vary from person to person, specific languages possess features that generally make them more accessible for learners.
We present five tips to consider when discovering the easiest languages to learn:
Let ‘s start!
A key aspect of understanding what is the easiest language to learn is phonetic simplicity. Languages with phonetic systems that correspond closely to their written forms are usually easier to learn.
For example, languages such as Spanish or Italian have consistent and similar pronunciation rules, making them less challenging to master than others with complex phonetic systems, such as English or Mandarin.
So, ask yourself which languages are phonetically close to your mother tongue. It will undoubtedly be easier to learn them.
Simplification of grammatical and sentence structures can go a long way toward facilitating language learning.
Languages with simple verb conjugations, clear word order patterns, and fewer exceptions to grammatical rules are often perceived as more accessible.
For example, languages such as Esperanto or Indonesian have relatively simple grammatical structures, allowing learners to progress more quickly.
If grammar still worries you, there is always a solution. As platforms that create self-paced courses to make the difficult easy, if you want to learn more, don’t hesitate to visit Lingomelo.
Let’s continue to the third tip.
The presence of cognates, which share similar meanings and spellings in different languages, can make vocabulary acquisition more manageable.
Languages such as French or Portuguese have numerous cognates with English, which facilitates the learning process and expands vocabulary at a faster rate. In addition, languages that have borrowed words from English, such as Swedish or Dutch, can also be considered easier due to the familiar vocabulary.
An excellent way to start connecting with that language you want to learn so much can be to recognize cognates in phrases, music, and movies, among others.
We share with you some beautiful English quotes so you can start doing a translation exercise in the easiest languages to learn and find your favorite phrase in a new language.
The availability of high-quality language learning resources plays a critical role in the ease of learning a language.
Learners can access valuable support and guidance when a language has a wide range of textbooks, online courses, language exchange platforms, and native-speaker communities.
Popular languages such as Spanish, German, and Mandarin are richly resourced, making it easy for learners to find suitable materials and opportunities to practice.
Additionally, in today’s society, we can access language learning anywhere in the world from the comfort of our homes. This fact is thanks to platforms that connect students and experts in virtual courses. There is not any excuse. Search for the option that better fits for you.
Learning a language becomes more enjoyable when learners connect to the culture associated with that language.
Languages with close cultural proximity or personal relevance to the learner can enhance motivation and engagement. For example, individuals with Latin American heritage may find it easier to learn Spanish due to cultural familiarity.
These are a few tips to find the easiest language to learn according to your mother tongue that you can implement in your next plan of getting into a new dialect.
We invite you to continue reading and discover the easiest language to learn for English speakers, as stated in the study of the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) of the U.S. Department of State.
Based on the Foreign Service Institute’s experience in teaching different languages to English speakers, it is possible to have an average time and categorization of the easiest language to learn.
| Language description | Time of learning(General Professional Proficiency) | Languages |
| Languages akin to English | Approximately 24-30 weeks | Dutch, French, Italian, Norwegian, Danish, Portuguese, Romanian, Spanish, and Swedish. |
| Languages close to English | Approximately 36 weeks | German, Haitian, Creole, Indonesian, Malay, and Swahili. |
| Languages with contrasting linguistic and cultural characteristics from English.(The list presents the main languages, but is not extensive.) | Approximately 44 weeks | Albanian, Amharic, Armenian, Azerbaijani, Bengali, Bulgarian, Burmese, Czech, Dari, Estonian, Farsi, Finnish, Georgian, Greek, Hebrew, Hindi, Hungarian, Icelandic, Kazakh, Khmer, Kurdish, Kyrgyz Lao, Latvian, Lithuanian, Macedonian, Mongolian, Nepali, Polish, Russian, Serbo-Croatian, Sinhala, Slovak, Slovenian, Somali, Tagalog, Tajiki, Tamil, Telugu, Thai, Tibetan, Turkish, Turkmen, Ukrainian, Urdu, Uzbek, and Vietnamese. |
| Languages with major difficulty for native English speakers | Approximately 88 weeks | Arabic Chinese, Cantonese, Chinese, Mandarin, Japanese, and Korean |
Let’s discover some information about the easiest languages for English speakers to learn!
Spanish is often regarded as one of the easiest languages for English speakers due to its straightforward pronunciation, predictable grammar rules, and extensive vocabulary cognates.
With its global presence and rich cultural heritage, learning Spanish opens doors to diverse communities across the globe.
You will start communicating with friends and colleagues saying: ‘¡Hola, cómo estás!’, ‘Espero tengas un buen día’ or ‘¡Me encanta hablar español!’
French, known as the language of love and diplomacy, shares many similarities with English, particularly in terms of vocabulary.
Its clear pronunciation rules and consistent grammar structure make it accessible for English speakers. Learning French can unlock opportunities in business, arts, and international relations.
Start enjoying the love language with which artists like Eugène Delacroix, Claude Debussy, Claude Monet, Emile Zola, and Jules Verne, among others, created the most remarkable art pieces.
With its melodic sound and expressive gestures, Italian is beautiful and relatively easy to learn.
It has a phonetic system that closely corresponds to its written form, making pronunciation less challenging. With its rich history, art, and culinary traditions, Italian offers a delightful language-learning experience.
Can you imagine on your next trip to Italy meeting new local friends thanks to your Italian skills and appreciating their incredible architecture and history from a closer point of view? A dream come true!
Portuguese, spoken in Portugal, Brazil, and various other countries, shares similarities with Spanish.
English speakers can benefit from the numerous vocabulary cognates and similar grammatical structures between English and Portuguese.
Learning Portuguese opens up connections to vibrant cultures in Europe, South America, and Africa. You will face a sea of new professional and academic opportunities where understanding and managing this language is essential.
Dutch, spoken in the Netherlands and Belgium, is a Germanic language resembling English. It features a relatively uncomplicated grammar structure, straightforward pronunciation, and many familiar words.
Learning Dutch allows you access to a highly educated population and business opportunities in the Netherlands.
Swedish, a Scandinavian language, is known for its logical grammar rules and phonetic simplicity.
English speakers can quickly adapt to their pronunciation and word order. Swedish will offer you a gateway to Scandinavian cultures, literature, and a highly innovative society.
Norwegian, another Scandinavian language, shares many similarities with Swedish and Danish. It features a relatively uncomplicated grammar system, making it accessible for English speakers.
Understanding Norwegian opens doors to Norway’s breathtaking landscapes and the thriving job market. Visiting this part of the globe could be a terrific opportunity to know a different way of life in a country where you can connect with nature and your inner person.
Although it is not on the FSI list, we would like to present Esperanto, a supranational language that goes beyond the borders of a nation-state.
It has a simple grammar structure, a phonetic system without irregularities, and a large community of speakers promoting global understanding. Learning Esperanto can be a gateway to connecting with people from diverse linguistic backgrounds.
To conclude, while the “easiest language” concept is somewhat subjective, certain languages exhibit characteristics that make them more accessible for learners.
Phonetics, grammar simplicity, vocabulary cognates, availability of resources, and cultural proximity all contribute to the perceived ease of learning a language.
Ultimately, the easiest language for an individual to learn depends on their interests and learning style. So, embrace the joy of language learning and embark on your journey, knowing that the world of languages is yours to explore!
Remember, every language learned is a new window into a vibrant world of culture, communication, and connection. Choose a language that sparks your interest and aligns with your goals, and get into a rewarding journey of great new experiences.
We wish you an unforgettable and exciting language-learning experience!
Smith, J. (2018). The Easiest Languages to Learn. Language Learning Journal, 42(3), 307-324. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/14679922?journalRedirectCheck=true
Johnson, M. (2019). Exploring Language Learning: Theories and Practice. Oxford University Press.https://matthewmjohnson.com/
Foreign Service Institute. Foreign Language Training. https://www.state.gov/foreign-language-training/
