Are you an English speaker looking to expand your language skills and become fluent in a new language? If so, you may be wondering which foreign language will be the easiest for you to learn. Luckily, we’ve carefully selected four languages that we think will be a lot easier for you to learn, and faster too! These particular languages are also perfect if you want to learn a language that’s less obvious and more fun, making you stand out from the crowd.
1. Afrikaans – The Language of Charlestown and Trevor Noah
Imagine making fun of politicians with Trevor Noah in Afrikaans. That would be quite fun! Afrikaans is one of the easiest languages for English speakers to learn, and a must-learn if you plan to visit South Africa or any of its cool neighboring countries. Afrikaans is related to Dutch, but they are by no means identical twins. Afrikaans is its own language and it’s a lot easier to pick up than Dutch.
For one, there is no grammatical gender in Afrikaans, so just like in English, you only need to use one word (the) to talk about both singular and plural things. Additionally, verb conjugation in Afrikaans is almost non-existent, and there are only three tenses. This means there’s no need to differentiate between different past tenses, like “I sang” or “I was singing”.
Aside from the ease of its grammar, Afrikaans also has some really cool vocabulary. It’s a very descriptive language, and its words are unforgettable. For example, the word for a hosepipe in Afrikaans is “garden snake”. And then there’s “color-changing little man”, which is what they call a giraffe. Afrikaans has also borrowed from Malay, Portuguese, and Bantu languages, but it shares many root words with English, making the spelling rather intuitive. This means you can read Afrikaans way before you can actually speak it!
However, you will need to watch out for some tricky pronunciation, like the sound that they make when they roll their R’s. But this should be no big deal for language learners like yourself.
2. Spanish – The Romance Language of the Americas
Spanish is a romance language, and it is widely spoken in many countries, including Spain and Latin America. It is the second most spoken language in the world and the second most studied language after English. Spanish is a great language to learn if you’re an English speaker, as it has a lot of similarities to English.
For example, many Spanish words are very similar to English words, such as “comida” (food), “amigo” (friend), and “mesa” (table). Additionally, Spanish is a very phonetic language, meaning that you can generally sound out words just by looking at them. This makes it easier to learn how to read and write in Spanish.
The grammar in Spanish is also relatively straightforward, with a relatively simple verb conjugation system. There are only two tenses in Spanish, the present and the past, and there are no gender distinctions in articles or adjectives. This makes it easier to learn and remember new vocabulary.
3. Italian
Italian is another romance language that is easier for English speakers to learn. Like Spanish, Italian has a phonetic spelling system, making it easier to recognize words. Additionally, Italian has many words borrowed from Latin and Greek, making it easier for English speakers to understand new words. Italian is also a straightforward language in terms of grammar, with a limited number of verb conjugations and tenses. The sentence structure is also straightforward, making it easier for English speakers to understand and construct sentences. Italian is a beautiful language, rich in history and culture, and is widely spoken in Italy, Switzerland, and San Marino. Whether you are interested in art, music, food, or simply want to be able to communicate with locals when you travel, Italian is a great language to learn.
4. Portuguese
Portuguese is the easiest language for English speakers to learn, with a similar grammar structure and pronunciation. Portuguese has a phonetic spelling system, making it easier to recognize words, and it shares many linguistic roots with Spanish, making it easier to understand new words. Additionally, Portuguese has a straightforward verb conjugation system, with limited tenses and few irregular verbs. Portuguese is also a beautiful language, spoken by over 250 million people worldwide, with a rich culture and history. Whether you are interested in traveling to Portugal, Brazil, Angola, or Mozambique, Portuguese is a great language to learn and will give you the ability to communicate with locals and immerse yourself in their cultures.
In conclusion, these four languages are the easiest for English speakers to learn. Whether you are interested in traveling, learning about different cultures, or simply expanding your language skills, these languages are a great place to start. With straightforward pronunciation and grammar, memorable vocabulary, and a rich history and culture, you are sure to have a fulfilling language-learning experience.