The Best Languages to Learn to Improve Your Job Prospects

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Welcome to DAY 2 of the Thanksgiving Blog Series.

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Written by Priyanka S

Edited by Minna Chow

Designed by Parniyan Haidari

Learning a new language has various benefits: it increases your brain’s efficiency, delays brain diseases, it helps you appreciate and understand the languages you already know better, makes you sound and feel smarter, helps you when traveling, and—the most pragmatic of all—it increases your job prospects. Here are the best languages to learn to help your job prospects tremendously.

1. Spanish

This is one of the most commonly spoken languages in the world with over 400 million speakers — 6% of the world’s population. It is an official language in 20 different countries and is the most popular second language among people in the United States. Spanish is also spoken as a first or second language by 15% of the populace in the European Union. It is globally regarded as one of the easiest languages to learn.

2. German

It is the most spoken language in Europe and it is spoken as a native language by over 100 million people. Germany has the largest economy in Europe and leads the automobile and tech industries. It is the largest European trading partner with the US, which makes it an important language for international business and work prospects. Berlin is, indeed, the hotspot for startups, with a new startup created every 20 minutes. Furthermore, tuition is free in most German universities.

3. Arabic

It’s the 5th most spoken language in the world, with 300 million speakers, with the status of official language in 20 countries. Learning Arabic will make you stand out, as only 1% of college students learn Arabic. With natural resources abound, the Middle Eastern countries like Qatar, Kuwait, and the UAE - where the language is spoken prominently - are set to heavily influence the global economy in the coming years.

4. Mandarin

Learning Mandarin can be very useful since China is the world’s largest trading nation and its economy is set to overtake the American economy by 2029. Companies all over the globe are trying to tap into the Chinese market and knowing Mandarin will give you an upper hand. Most of the businesses seek to establish their market first in China when trying to go international.

5. French

Other than English, French is the only language spoken in 5 continents, and an official language in 29 countries. It is universally well-known and highly valuable.

With the changing state of modern Africa, the French-speaking African population is one of the fastest-growing in the world. By 2025, it is said that the language will surpass German to become the most-spoken language in Europe. It is a favorite among polyglots, which means there are tons of resources available. That it is a truly beautiful and romantic language is just the cherry on top. It is, indeed, the language of love!

These are the 5 languages that are highly in demand now. Choose a language that piques your interest, and immerse yourself in it. Learning a new language is a wonderful addition to your resume and also a worthwhile challenge. Happy learning!

SOURCES:

Babbel.com, and Lesson Nine GmbH. “How Many People Speak Arabic Around The World, And Where?” Babbel Magazine, www.babbel.com/en/magazine/how-many-people-speak-arabic.

Babbel.com, and Lesson Nine GmbH. “How Many People Speak Spanish, And Where Is It Spoken?” Babbel Magazine, www.babbel.com/en/magazine/how-many-people-speak-spanish-and-where-is-it-spoken.

“GERMAN LANGUAGE STATISTICS.” German Language, www.germanlanguageguide.com/german/facts/stats/.

Kafchinski, Joseph E. “Foreign Trade: Data.” U.S. Top Trading Partners, 21 Apr. 2009, www.census.gov/foreign-trade/statistics/highlights/top/index.html.

Ministère de l'Europe et des Affaires étrangères. “France Diplomacy.” France Diplomacy - Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/.