Table of Contents
Introduction
Choosing the right language to learn can be a strategic decision—whether it’s for career advancement, travel, or personal growth. At Translation Excellence, we work with hundreds of language pairs and understand that learning difficulty varies depending on grammar, pronunciation, writing systems, and how closely related the language is to English.
In this blog, we’ll explore language learning difficulty, highlight easy and hard languages to learn for English speakers, and share helpful tips for beginners.
Language Learning Difficulty and What Affects It
Language learning difficulty varies depending on several factors, including:
- Grammar complexity
- Pronunciation systems (e.g., tonal languages like Mandarin)
- Writing systems (e.g., Arabic script vs Latin alphabet)
- Vocabulary overlap with English
- Cultural context and exposure
Languages that are structurally and culturally closer to English are generally easier for native speakers to learn.
5 Easiest Languages to Learn for Native English Speakers
If you’re wondering which language is the easiest to learn, these are excellent starting points. According to FSI and our experience at Translation Excellence, these languages rank among the most accessible:
1. Spanish
- Phonetic spelling
- Shared vocabulary with English
- Widely spoken across the globe
2. Norwegian
- Very similar sentence structure to English
- Pronunciation is relatively straightforward
- Considered one of the easiest Germanic languages
3. Dutch
- Shares many cognates (similar words) with English
- Easier grammar compared to German
4. Swedish
- Logical grammar rules
- Languages similar to English
- Clear pronunciation
5. Indonesian
- No verb conjugation
- Uses Latin alphabet
- Many learners ask: “Is Indonesian easy?” — and the answer is yes!
These are ideal languages for beginners because they require fewer hours to reach a functional level. For instance, how long does it take to learn a language like Spanish? Around 600 hours for basic proficiency.
Related: Easiest Second Languages for English Speakers
Top 5 Hardest Languages to Learn
On the flip side, some languages present significant challenges, especially to English speakers. Here are the most difficult languages to master:
1. Mandarin Chinese
- Uses thousands of characters
- Tones dramatically change word meaning
- A common question: “Is Mandarin hard to learn?” – Yes, especially due to Chinese tones difficulty
2. Arabic
- Complex writing system with connected letters
- Verb forms are highly irregular
- Arabic language difficulty increases due to its many dialects
3. Japanese
- Three different writing systems (Hiragana, Katakana, Kanji)
- Sentence structure is very different from English
4. Korean
- Unique alphabet (Hangul) is simple, but grammar and honorifics are challenging
5. Hungarian
- Complex cases and suffixes
- Not closely related to English
These are the hardest languages to learn to speak and write, with Mandarin and Arabic often topping the list as the most hardest languages to learn.
Why Some Languages Are Easier Than Others
You might wonder, why are some languages easier? Here’s why:
- Languages that share words with English are easier to pick up.
- Belonging to the same language family (e.g., Germanic) helps.
- Familiar sounds and grammar rules reduce learning effort.
That’s why languages similar to English like Norwegian or Dutch are often easier.
Related: Most Popular Languages to Learn in 2025 (and Why?)
How Long Does It Take to Learn a Language?
Language proficiency levels and learning hours vary depending on the language:
- Category I languages (Spanish, French): ~600–750 hours
- Category II languages (German): ~900 hours
- Category III/IV languages (Mandarin, Arabic): ~2200+ hours
These are general benchmarks for reaching professional working proficiency.
Foreign Language Learning Tips for Beginners
Whether you’re learning Spanish or Japanese, here are helpful language learning tips:
- Use apps like Duolingo or flashcards like Anki
- Practice daily conversations with native speakers
- Focus on grammar basics early
- Listen to podcasts or music in your target language
- Stay consistent and make learning fun
These simple tips can make a big difference, especially for language learning for beginners.
Final Thoughts from Translation Excellence
Deciding which language to learn depends on your goals, timeline, and interest. Whether you’re choosing an easy language like Swedish or a difficult language like Mandarin, the journey is rewarding.
At Translation Excellence, we’re here to help you navigate language complexity—no matter where you’re starting from. Our team of expert linguists and interpreters ensures clarity across cultures and industries.
Need support with a complex language project?
Contact us today to learn how we can help.
FAQs:
- What is the 1 easiest language to learn?
- What is the no. 1 difficult language?
- What is the simplest language in the world?
- What is the closest language to English?
- Which language is best to learn?
Related: German is Easier than You Thought
