{"id":4528,"date":"2021-04-14T08:52:59","date_gmt":"2021-04-14T15:52:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/english-speaking\/?p=4528"},"modified":"2021-04-17T08:52:10","modified_gmt":"2021-04-17T15:52:10","slug":"most-useful-languages-to-learn","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/english-speaking\/most-useful-languages-to-learn\/","title":{"rendered":"The Most Useful Languages to Learn (by Category)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Learning a new language is never a bad decision. Even if a new language doesn\u2019t help you get a new job or get into your favorite university, it will open your mind and help you with a myriad of other skills. That said, some languages are more useful than others; it all depends on your end goal. So, what are the most useful languages to learn? Read on to find out!<\/span><\/p>\n

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Most Useful Languages for Business<\/strong><\/h2>\n

English is the international language of business. So, if you want to get ahead in the business world and you\u2019re not fluent in English yet, there\u2019s no time like the present! Taking English courses<\/a> or just studying English on your own can help you communicate effectively in the workplace.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, not all businesses use English. So, when it comes to the most useful languages to learn for business, you need only look at some of <\/span>the most spoken languages in the world<\/span><\/a> for guidance. Here are the top 10 most spoken languages in the world:<\/span><\/p>\n

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  1. Chinese \u2014 1.35 billion native speakers<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Spanish \u2014 543 million native speakers<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Hindi \u2014 528 million native speakers<\/span><\/li>\n
  4. English \u2014 460 million native speakers<\/span><\/li>\n
  5. Arabic \u2014 315 million native speakers<\/span><\/li>\n
  6. Portuguese \u2014 258 million native speakers<\/span><\/li>\n
  7. Bengali \u2014 228 million native speakers<\/span><\/li>\n
  8. Russian \u2014 153 million native speakers<\/span><\/li>\n
  9. Japanese \u2014 128 million native speakers<\/span><\/li>\n
  10. Western Punjabi \u2014 118 million native speakers<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    While these are all the most spoken languages in the world, they may not all be the best languages to learn for business. English, Chinese, and Spanish are all excellent choices, as these are the languages spoken at a majority of the largest businesses around the world. Conversely, a language like Japanese or Western Punjabi is mostly spoken in a very specific region. So, unless you plan to look for a job in Japan or Pakistan, you\u2019re better off learning a language that is more common in an international business environment.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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    Best Languages to Learn for English Speakers<\/strong><\/h2>\n

    So, you already speak English fluently, but you want to add another language to your repertoire. If so, the most useful language to learn will largely depend on your goals. Again, moving abroad may require you to learn the language spoken in a specific country or region. Therefore, you will need to do some research to find the best language for you.<\/span><\/p>\n

    One of the great things about speaking English fluently is that you can become an English teacher. In many parts of the world, working as an English teacher is a coveted position that commands respect and high salaries. Additionally, learning a second language can help you understand the needs of your students and communicate as effectively as possible!<\/span><\/p>\n

    To help you find the best languages to learn for English speakers, let\u2019s first look at some of the best places to teach English in the world:<\/span><\/p>\n