Embarking on the journey of learning a new language can be incredibly rewarding. It’s a gateway to new cultures, broader perspectives, and enhanced career opportunities. However, with a world of languages at your fingertips, deciding where to begin can feel daunting. If you’re an English speaker wondering which language will be the most approachable to learn, you’re in luck. The reality is, some languages present a smoother learning curve for native English speakers due to their linguistic proximity and shared historical roots.
The ease of learning a language depends on several factors, including your native language and any prior language learning experience. Languages closer to English often share similarities in sentence structure, vocabulary, pronunciation, and even writing systems. These overlaps can significantly reduce the initial hurdles and accelerate your progress. Factors like motivation, learning methods, and time dedicated to study also play crucial roles in how quickly you achieve fluency. While it’s important to remember that language learning is a personal journey with varying timelines, understanding which languages offer a head start can be incredibly motivating.
If you’re eager to dive into language learning and want to choose a path of less resistance, this guide is for you. Based on data from the Foreign Service Institute (FSI), we’ve compiled a list of 17 of the easiest languages for English speakers to learn, ranked from the most accessible to those that require a bit more dedication. This list serves as a general guideline, acknowledging that individual experiences may vary.
1. Frisian
Considered one of the languages most closely related to English, Frisian stands out as exceptionally easy for English speakers to pick up. Historically, Frisian was the primary language of Frisia during the Middle Ages. Today, while Frisia as a political entity no longer exists, Frisian, encompassing three main dialects, is still spoken in parts of the Netherlands and Germany.
The linguistic kinship between English and Frisian is evident in their shared sentence structures and vocabulary. For example, the English greeting “Good morning” translates to “Goeie moarn” in West Frisian, showcasing the clear phonetic and lexical similarities.
Despite its ease for English speakers, Frisian is spoken by a relatively small community of around 500,000 people. Unless you plan to immerse yourself in the Frisian-speaking regions of the Netherlands (Friesland province) or Germany (Saterland or North Frisia), the practical reasons to learn Frisian might be limited.
2. Dutch
Dutch, like Frisian, boasts a close relationship with English, making it another highly accessible language for English speakers. The vocabulary overlap is particularly noticeable, with numerous words being identical or very similar in both languages. Think of words like “plastic,” “water,” and “lamp”—they remain unchanged in Dutch. The main challenge for English learners often lies in Dutch pronunciation, which can present some unfamiliar sounds.
Flemish, spoken in the Flanders region of Belgium, is essentially Dutch, with minor variations in pronunciation, vocabulary, and idioms. Speakers of Dutch and Flemish generally understand each other without significant difficulty.
With approximately 24 million speakers worldwide, Dutch is a valuable language, particularly if you’re interested in living or working in the Netherlands or other regions where it holds official status, such as Suriname, Aruba, and the Dutch Antilles.
3. Norwegian
Norwegian, or “Norsk,” shares Germanic roots with English, simplifying the learning process for English speakers. A significant portion of Norwegian vocabulary resonates with English, and unlike some Germanic languages, Norwegian pronunciation is generally quite straightforward.
Sentence structure in Norwegian closely mirrors English, although not always identically. For instance, “He comes from Norway” becomes “Han kommer fra Norge,” demonstrating structural parallels.
Spoken by around 5 million people, primarily in Norway, Norwegian offers a fascinating linguistic journey into Old Norse heritage. Fluency in Norwegian opens doors to Norway’s rich literary tradition and captivating mythology.
4. Spanish
Despite belonging to the Romance language family, Spanish is remarkably easy for English speakers to learn. This ease stems from the substantial Latin influence on English vocabulary. Spanish employs the same alphabet as English, and many words are pronounced phonetically, aligning with their spelling.
Spanish sentence structure, while similar to English, offers more flexibility, allowing for varied word order without altering meaning. This flexibility can be liberating for learners accustomed to the stricter syntax of English.
For those seeking a language to enhance travel experiences and boost career prospects, Spanish is an excellent choice. It ranks among the most spoken languages globally and holds the position of the second most spoken language in the United States, boasting approximately 534 million speakers worldwide.
5. Portuguese
Portuguese, spoken by around 234 million people across the globe, is the official language of Portugal, Brazil, and six African nations, including Angola, Cape Verde, and Mozambique. This widespread presence makes Portuguese a highly practical second language.
Like Spanish, Portuguese originates from Latin and uses the English alphabet, providing a familiar foundation for English speakers.
It’s important to note the distinctions between European Portuguese and Brazilian Portuguese. Pronunciation, vocabulary, and even grammatical nuances can differ. The choice between learning European or Brazilian Portuguese should align with your intended use and geographical focus.
6. Italian
Italian, another Romance language, presents a manageable learning curve for English speakers. English has absorbed a wealth of Italian vocabulary, particularly in areas like food (gelato, panini) and the arts (diva, solo, finale, fiasco). You likely already possess a foundational Italian vocabulary without realizing it.
Italian and English share similar sentence structures in many contexts, and Italian pronunciation follows logical rules. Once you grasp these rules, reading and pronouncing most Italian words becomes intuitive.
Italian is the primary language for approximately 64 million people. While not as globally widespread as Spanish or Portuguese, Italian is spoken in various countries beyond Italy, including Switzerland, Croatia, Slovenia, and Argentina.
7. French
French ranks among the world’s most spoken languages, with around 77 million native speakers and 203 million second-language speakers. It holds official language status in 29 countries, including Switzerland, Luxembourg, Seychelles, and Rwanda.
French pronunciation, with its nuanced sounds, can be slightly more challenging for English speakers compared to Spanish or Italian. For instance, “Et toi?” (And you?) is pronounced “Ay twah,” and “Pouvez-vous?” (Can you?) sounds like “Poo vay voo.”
However, French shares substantial vocabulary with English due to historical linguistic exchanges. English speakers who dedicate time to understanding basic French pronunciation rules can typically learn French relatively efficiently.
8. Swedish
Swedish is spoken by approximately 10 million people, primarily in Sweden, with a smaller community in Finland, where it’s also a national language.
As a Germanic language, Swedish is considered relatively easy for English speakers. While pronunciation might require some practice, Swedish grammar and sentence structure are not overly complex.
Learning Swedish does present some unique aspects, such as mastering its three additional vowels and becoming comfortable with compound words. Examples include “jordnötter” (peanuts, literally “dirt nuts”) and “kofångare” (bumper, literally “cow catcher”).
9. Romanian
Romanian might be an unexpected addition to this list. Despite being surrounded by Slavic-speaking countries, Romanian is a Romance language, sharing significant vocabulary with Italian, Spanish, and French.
For example, “La revedere” (goodbye) resembles Italian “Arrividerci,” and “Scuză-mă” (excuse me) echoes French “Excusez-moi.” Romanian is also largely phonetic, meaning pronunciation closely follows spelling.
Romanian grammar and the presence of diacritics (marks added to letters) present some challenges. However, overall, Romanian, spoken by about 30 million people mainly in Romania and Moldova, is surprisingly accessible for English speakers.
10. Danish
Danish, a Germanic language spoken by around 6 million people, primarily in Denmark, shares straightforward grammar and familiar vocabulary with English, similar to Norwegian and Swedish.
For example, “Gode tidende” resembles “Good tidings,” and “dyre” (expensive) is akin to “dear” in its pricey connotation. However, Danish pronunciation is considered more challenging than other Scandinavian languages, adding a layer of complexity.
Despite pronunciation hurdles, learning Danish is invaluable for those planning extended stays in Denmark, offering deeper cultural immersion and richer connections.
11. German
German, as its name suggests, is a Germanic language with significant overlap with English. Shared features include alphabet, sentence structure, and vocabulary. Common German words like “Wasser” (water), “Apfel” (apple), and “Fisch” (fish) closely resemble their English counterparts.
German pronunciation, particularly lengthy compound words like “Fremdschämen” (cringe) or “Verschlimmbessern” (to worsen), can pose difficulties for English speakers.
While perhaps not as immediately graspable as Dutch or Norwegian, German is a highly useful language, spoken by over 100 million people across Central Europe, including Austria, Switzerland, and Luxembourg.
12. Indonesian
Indonesian, with over 40 million native speakers and 150 million non-native speakers, is a widely spoken language. As an Austronesian language, it differs from the Germanic and Romance languages on this list, yet it’s surprisingly accessible to English speakers.
Indonesian’s phonetic nature, where words are spelled as pronounced, simplifies learning. Sentence structure is similar to English, and grammatical rules are relatively simple.
Pluralizing nouns in Indonesian is straightforward; simply repeat the word or add a modifier. “Anak” means “child,” and “anak-anak” means “children,” illustrating this simplicity.
13. Malay
Malay, spoken by over 200 million people in Southeast Asia, is another Austronesian language closely related to Indonesian. In fact, a similar form of the language is used in Indonesia, Brunei, and Singapore.
While Malay and Indonesian speakers generally understand each other, differences exist in spelling, pronunciation, and vocabulary. Malay tends to incorporate more English loanwords, while Indonesian has more Dutch influences.
Malay is considered one of the easiest Asian languages for English speakers due to its simple grammar and pronunciation. While vocabulary acquisition is necessary, Malay is a valuable language for anyone spending time in Southeast Asia.
14. Swahili
Swahili, a Bantu language, is a highly useful language in East Africa, including Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and Tanzania. Estimates vary, but Swahili is believed to have around 16 million native speakers and up to 80 million second-language speakers.
Familiarity with Swahili might already exist for Disney’s “The Lion King” fans, with words like “rafiki” (friend) and “simba” (lion) originating from Swahili. Pronunciation is generally easy, and many words resemble English equivalents, such as “polisi” (police) and “baiskeli” (bicycle).
While differences exist, Swahili is an excellent starting point for English speakers interested in learning African languages.
15. Filipino Tagalog
Filipino Tagalog, an official language of the Philippines and another Austronesian language, presents a mixed bag for English learners. Pronunciation is relatively straightforward, and vocabulary borrows from English, Spanish, and Malay.
However, Tagalog sentence structure and verb focus differ significantly from English, making it a more challenging language on this list. Like any language, practice is key to overcoming these hurdles.
Spoken by approximately 45 million native speakers, Tagalog fluency, even at a basic level, greatly enhances experiences in the Philippines.
16. Afrikaans
Afrikaans stands out for its ease of learning for English speakers, characterized by familiar vocabulary and uncomplicated grammar. Drawing heavily from Dutch, Afrikaans shares numerous roots with English, leading to instantly recognizable words. Afrikaans grammar is remarkably logical, lacking complex verb conjugations and gendered nouns. Its syntax closely mirrors English, making sentence construction intuitive. Furthermore, its phonetic spelling system ensures pronunciation is straightforward. Afrikaans is an ideal language for quick acquisition.
Beyond its ease, learning Afrikaans offers a fascinating gateway to South African culture, history, and its diverse population. Whether for travel, business, or linguistic exploration, Afrikaans provides unique insights into a vibrant region.
17. Esperanto
Esperanto, a constructed language, was intentionally designed for international communication. Its ease of learning for English speakers is by design. Esperanto grammar is exceptionally regular and simple, with no exceptions and consistent verb conjugations. Its vocabulary blends words from various European languages, many of which are familiar to English speakers. Phonetic spelling ensures intuitive pronunciation.
Learning Esperanto is not only easy but also opens access to a global community of speakers fostering cultural exchange and international friendship. Whether for travel, networking, or cultural exploration, Esperanto offers a unique and enriching experience, facilitating connections and access to literature and media within its vibrant global community.
Worth considering in honorable mentions for harder languages might be: Haitian Creole, Welsh, Russian.
If these languages seem too easy and you crave a greater challenge, explore our list of the top 17 hardest languages to learn for English speakers.
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