Ever thought about picking up another language, besides English, to make your study abroad experience even better? Maybe to watch your favourite show without subtitles or simply for the thrill of it? We’ll give you one more reason.
Learning a foreign language can give you an edge when applying to colleges abroad. It makes your application stand out and shows you’re a quick learner.
However, shortlisting languages that are high in demand and value can be challenging. But don’t worry, we’ve already done the heavy lifting for you.
Key takeaways:
|
Why should you consider learning a new language?
If you plan to move abroad for your studies, English alone won’t get you through. Here’s why you should consider learning a new language:
- Boosts your college applications. A new language means a bonus skill on your college applications. This sets you apart from other candidates. Moreover, language learning demonstrates a student's initiative, zeal, and curiosity, and universities deeply value that.
- Prepares you for studying abroad. If you gain proficiency in the local language of the country you’re moving to, settling in becomes much easier. Whether it’s understanding lectures, socialising, or managing day-to-day life, it helps you every step of the way.
- Offers long-term career advantage. Some of the world’s top companies prioritise applicants with proficiency in multiple languages. So, you might be learning a new language just to move abroad for education. But it can also give you an edge when applying for jobs.
As Renate Latimer, Associate Professor Emerita of German at Auburn University, states in 25 Reasons to Study Foreign Languages:
‘Foreign languages provide a competitive edge in career choices: one is able to communicate in a second language.’
Did you know? According to UNESCO, about half to two-thirds (50%-66%) of the world’s population is bilingual! |
How did we pick the best languages to learn?
While creating this list of the best languages to learn for studying abroad, we mainly considered the following three criteria:
- Global demand: We picked the languages that are spoken by millions across the globe. So wherever you go, they’ll come in handy.
- Relevance: Every language on this list connects to countries with top universities. So, it’s tailor-made for students like you who aspire to study abroad.
- Future advantage: The languages on this list don’t just help when you’re studying. They also give you an advantage when applying for jobs.
Top 10 languages to learn in 2025
Here are 10 of the most important languages to learn for studying abroad in 2025:
Mandarin (Difficulty level: Very high)
Mandarin is the official language of China, the second-largest economy in the world. It’s among the most difficult languages to learn for English speakers. However, it can boost your chances of admission to prestigious Chinese institutions, like Peking University and Tsinghua University.
Mandarin is also widely spoken in several Asian countries, such as Taiwan and Singapore. If you ever want to take up a job in these countries, knowing Mandarin can give you a leg up.
Spanish (Difficulty level: Low)
If you plan to get into Harvard, Stanford, or any other esteemed university in the USA, learn Spanish. It’s the second most spoken language in the country. It’s also the official language of 18 American countries, including Argentina and Mexico.
The best part? Spanish is very easy to learn for native English speakers. The language is highly phonetic, and the sentence structure is similar to English.
French (Difficulty level: Moderate)
Aiming to establish a career in diplomacy or foreign relations? Learning French should be at the top of your list. It’s one of the most important official languages used by the United Nations (UN) and the European Union (EU).
French is also highly popular in Canada, West Africa, and parts of Europe, like Belgium and Switzerland. So, if you’re planning to move to these countries for college, French proficiency is a must.
German (Difficulty level: High)
Some of the world’s best engineering institutes, like the Technical University of Munich, are in Germany. That’s why German is highly recommended for high schoolers, especially those planning to pursue engineering as a career.
This language is also valuable because of its widespread popularity in Europe. Plus, Germany is the world’s third-largest economy and home to top automotive companies, like BMW, Audi, and Mercedes-Benz. So, the overall demand for German is huge.
Japanese (Difficulty level: Very high)
The fifth-largest economy in the world, Japan is a hub of innovation and technology. If you’re looking for the best language to learn for a career in IT or computer science, choose Japanese. It will help you get into the top IT institutes in Japan and learn from the professionals there.
That’s not all, knowing Japanese can also boost your chances of winning university scholarships like MEXT. So, even though it’s not the easiest lingo to pick up, it’s totally worth it.
Arabic (Difficulty level: Very high)
Arabic is the fifth most spoken language in the world and the official language of countries like Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the UAE. Learning Arabic can be a game-changer if you move to any of these nations for higher studies.
While it’s considered one of the more challenging languages for English speakers, mastering Arabic can open doors to exciting career opportunities. It’s especially valuable in sectors like construction, hospitality, tourism, and finance, which are thriving across the Middle East.
Korean (Difficulty level: Moderate)
Korean is the official language of North Korea and South Korea. It has become very popular in recent years because of K-pop and K-dramas. But this isn’t why it’s an important language to learn. One of the top universities in the world, Seoul National University (SNU), is in South Korea. So, speaking Korean can make the admission process easier for you.
Unlike Chinese or Japanese, Korean isn’t too difficult to learn either. Since the language is phonetic, native English speakers can easily master it with consistent practice.
Italian (Difficulty level: Low)
Learning Italian can be especially helpful if you’re a high schooler interested in art, architecture, or philosophy. It can boost your chances of getting into prestigious institutions in Italy, such as Politecnico di Milano and the Florence Academy of Fine Arts.
Italian is also an important foreign language because of its rich cultural significance. Outside of Italy, it’s widely spoken in Switzerland, Vatican City, and San Marino. Parts of Croatia and Romania also use it as their local language.
Russian (Difficulty level: Very high)
Russian is one of the top 10 most spoken languages in the world. Although primarily used in Russia, it’s also popular in various other countries like Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan.
For high schoolers interested in physics, mathematics, or engineering, Russian can be especially valuable. Russia is home to some of the world’s top science universities, including Moscow State University and Saint Petersburg State University. In addition, many useful educational resources are originally written in Russian, making the language a significant asset despite its difficulty.
Hindi (Difficulty level: High)
India is home to some of the most reputable universities, such as the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) and the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). So, if you’re applying to these institutions, knowing Hindi can be helpful. Even though courses are taught in English, it makes daily life and communication much easier.
Apart from this, the country’s economy is also experiencing rapid growth. So, Hindi proficiency can help you not just during your studies but also later in your career.
Top 10 languages to learn, by difficulty
Here’s the table where we've sorted these languages by how difficult it is for most people to learn them. We evaluated the difficulty based on linguistic distance from English (how similar or different the language is) plus the average time required to reach fluency (based on US Foreign Service Institute hour estimates):
| Language | Difficulty level | Estimated hours to learn | Why it’s valuable | Where it’s useful |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spanish | Low | 600–750 hours | Second most spoken language in the USA; official in 18 countries; easy to learn for English speakers | USA, Argentina, Mexico, Latin America |
| Italian | Low | 600–750 hours | Helpful for art, architecture, and philosophy studies; cultural importance | Italy, Switzerland, Vatican City, San Marino |
| French | Moderate | 900–1,100 hours | Key UN and EU language; important for diplomacy and foreign relations | Canada, West Africa, Belgium, Switzerland, France |
| Korean | Moderate | 1,100–1,300 hours | Easier to learn than Chinese/Japanese; helps admission to Seoul National University | South Korea, North Korea |
| German | High | 900–1,100 hours | Recommended for engineering students; access to top universities like TU Munich; strong economic demand | Germany, wider Europe |
| Hindi | High | 1,100–1,500 hours | Useful for daily life in India; helps at top universities like IIT and AIIMS | India |
| Mandarin | Very high | 2,200+ hours | Official language of China; boosts admission chances at top Chinese universities like Peking and Tsinghua | China, Taiwan, Singapore |
| Japanese | Very high | 2,200+ hours | Opens opportunities in IT and computer science; needed for scholarships like MEXT | Japan |
| Arabic | Very high | 2,200+ hours | Widely spoken across the Middle East; valuable for careers in finance, hospitality, construction, tourism | Saudi Arabia, Egypt, UAE, other Arab countries |
| Russian | Very high | 1,100–1,300 hours | Important for science, maths, and engineering; access to Moscow and St Petersburg universities | Russia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan |
3 tips to help you learn a new language faster
There’s no shortcut to learning a new language. However, these tips can make the journey much faster and easier for you:
Set daily goals
Instead of aiming to become fluent by a set deadline, set small, realistic, daily goals. For instance, ‘I will learn 10 new phrases today’ or ‘I will learn how to introduce myself’. This keeps progress consistent and measurable.
Think in the language
One of the best ways to learn a new language is to start thinking in it. Avoid translating from your native language and try to infer meanings directly. This slight mental shift can significantly boost your fluency.
As Beatriz ‘Bia’ De Souza, a student at the University of the Cumberlands, puts it:
‘Do not translate! Try your best to think in the language you are speaking. If you keep translating the sentence you want to say in your brain before speaking, you will take so much longer to improve.’
Immerse yourself
Language learning goes beyond textbooks and classes. Talk to locals, watch shows, listen to podcasts, or use language learning applications in your target language. This will help you pick up the rhythm, tone, and pronunciation of its native speakers.
Fun fact: According to a 2025 meta-analysis published in Royal Society Open Science, people with good musical skills learn new languages better, especially when it comes to hearing and pronouncing sounds in those languages. |
Master a new language and accelerate your career
Moving to a new country for higher education can feel overwhelming. The change is huge and unpredictable. But at the same time, it is also a smart move for personal growth and learning.
The million-dollar question is, can you enjoy the benefits without all the stress? Not entirely. However, mastering the local language is a strong first step. It will help you settle in and give your career a boost.
In today’s blog, we discussed the 10 best languages to learn for high school students preparing to move abroad for studies. For more insightful content on higher education, check out Studyportals!
