best 8 languages to learn in 2020

Despite being stuck at home and apart from the people around you, the world has ended up becoming a much bigger place. 
​
The internet has opened up bigger opportunities for people to go global, right in the comfort of your home— whether it’s going into freelancing, starting an online business, or just trying to meet new people for a cute “quaran-fling”, learning a new language has become more essential than ever.

1. Mandarin Chinese

​If you’re trying to take the business route, learning Mandarin Chinese is the top choice among this list. It’s predicted that China’s gross domestic product (GDP) is set to surpass the US by the year 2029. And as of the moment, it’s the world’s largest manufacturing and trading hub— try finding something that’s not made in China!

Of course, learning Mandarin doesn’t just benefit online entrepreneurs. Mandarin is the second most used language online, and the most spoken dialect in the world. For native English speakers, it’s the hardest language to master, but great language schools such as Polyglot is here to help you learn Mandarin’s intricate hand gestures and unique alphabet.
​

​2. Spanish

Whether you’re trying to get through Money Heist on Netflix without subtitles, or just helping out Dora The Explorer and her lack of basic visual skills, joining 80 million native Spanish speakers worldwide is an easy start to learning a new language. 

With Spanish being used as the official language in over 20 countries around the world, learning past ‘buenos dias’ and ‘como estas’ opens you up to new opportunities not just online, but also when we get back to traveling around the world. With just one language, traveling to Spain, Mexico, Chile, Argentina, or even The Dominican Republic becomes a walk in the park.
​

3. Japanese

We have to be honest, but Japanese is among one of the most difficult languages to learn, especially if you don’t have access to a qualified instructor. This is mainly because it relies on an entirely different writing style as compared to other Asian languages.

But if you’re planning to study, visit, or work with anyone from Japan, learning the language firsthand is greatly appreciated by the locals— you’re sure to gain respect even by just trying to use it in casual conversations. 

Anime binges also become cooler without relying on inferior (sorry, not sorry) dubbed versions. Eww.
​

4. Italian

​Italian is one of the many easier (and more fun) languages to learn, thanks to it sharing many cognates with the English language.

When we get back to traveling, don’t forget to add Italy’s beautiful mainland and countryside to your bucket list; a popular destination for tourists. With so many World Heritage sites in one place, learning this language of the humanities will definitely make your travel experiences more pleasurable. 

Finally, you’ll get to know: is Versace pronounced ‘ver-sah-chee’ or ‘ver-says’? Is it ‘lambor-geeh-ni’ or ‘lam-bor-ji-ni’? If you’re still wondering, take Polyglot’s Italian course and you’ll find out.
​

5. Korean

There are currently 75 million people in the world who speak Korean, of which, 45 million reside in South Korea.

Rising very quickly to the top of the ‘best languages to learn’, Korean is dubbed as one of the most useful languages to master for business, with South Korea quickly jumping from being one of the poorest economies to the world’s 12th largest. Business and leisure travelers are in for a treat by getting into Korean— it’s also essential as most businesses in SoKor still find difficulty in communicating with English.

It’s time to move past just bobbing your head to BTS and finally understand what they’re trying to say.
​

6. German

German is the most widely spoken language in Europe, making it one of the best languages to learn if you’re planning to travel or work in the continent. At present, there are over 95 million native German speakers. 

It’s also one of the three languages used in the European Commission. If you’re planning to do business in Europe, it helps a lot to learn to speak and write in German. In addition, locals will respect and appreciate you more for trying to speak their mother tongue.

Also, just to answer a quick misconception, Amsterdam speaks Dutch. Not German. Just putting it out there in case you need it.
​

7. Arabic

Arabic is listed as either an official or co-official language in over 25 countries. If you’re planning to study, travel, or do business in the Middle East or North Africa, then taking a course on the Arab language is a must. 

Learning Arabic also helps you have more meaningful interactions with people from countries such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, or the UAE. With over more than 420 million native Arabic speakers around the globe, this makes it the 6th most spoken language in the world.

When you do get to learn, visit the Burj Khalifa in Dubai. Send us pictures. Please.
​

8. French

Going against common knowledge, French is not only a type of kiss, but also the language of love, art, poetry, and fine dining.

French words share many Latin origins with the English language, which is also why it’s one of the easier languages to learn. French is spoken in many countries and parts of the world such as France, Switzerland, Canada, the UK, Monaco, Luxembourg, Belgium, and many African nations. It’s also one of the most popular courses that Polyglot teaches!

---

Still curious as to what language to jump into? Send us a message and we’re sure to guide you! Make the most out of the COVID-19 pandemic and enroll in Polyglot’s online language classes today.

learning a new language the fun way