College is the ideal time to study a foreign language.
The time you spend in school gives you opportunities to add a new language to your skillset that benefits your future.
Learning a foreign language can help you dive deeper into your field of study. It also gives you more chances to study abroad and opens up job options that aren’t available to others.
It’s an incredibly valuable skill to give yourself.
Which only leaves one question — what is the best language to study in college?
There are a lot of useful global languages that look great on your resume if you learn them. We’re going to focus on the five best European languages you should consider studying in college. We’ll also reveal what makes each special.
1. German
German is the most spoken language in Europe.
More than 70 million people in Europe are native German speakers. It’s commonly used as the language to speak if two people don’t use the same native language.
With so many German speakers in Europe alone, it’s impossible to deny its usefulness.
How Can Learning German Help Me?
German is the perfect language for scholars, scientists, and businessmen alike. It’s used in many sectors, which makes it a valuable tool for different careers. You really get to know the inner workings of your chosen occupation.
The German book market is the third-largest in the world. Many German books aren’t translated into English and, thus, are missed out on.
For those in the scientific field, German is the second most used language.
Germany is an economic powerhouse, so studying German can help you learn about business.
With all these applications, it’s easy to see why learning German is well worth the time and effort.
2. French
Over 300 million people on five different continents speak French. It’s fifth on the list of most spoken languages in the world.
As far as learning goes, French is incredibly popular. It’s the second most learned language behind only English. In fact, these languages are the only two taught in every single country.
The language of love is good for more than just sounding pretty when you speak it.
Why Should I Learn French?
French is the perfect language to study if you want a deeper connection to the arts. It’s used quite a lot in fashion, cooking, and theater. If you want to go into one of those fields, it’s definitely for you.
Plus, as a, it’s one of the easier languages for English speakers to learn.
3. Portuguese
Around the world, there are a ton of people who speak Portuguese as their native language. Even more than German or French.
Despite that, it’s one of the least studied languages in American universities. Many people claim Portuguese is even easier to learn than other romance languages.
Why Should I Learn Portuguese?
There’s a high demand for people who can speak Portuguese because it isn’t studied a lot. Learning it is a great opportunity to set yourself apart from the crowd. It can be a standout on your resume.
Besides its use in Portugal, Brazilians also speak Portuguese. And Brazil is a country that’s climbing up the economic ladder. New job positions and business opportunities are opening every day.
That will necessitate the need for Portuguese speakers.
You could be one of those people!
4. Italian
Italian is perhaps the simplest language for English speakers to learn.
The phonetics between the two languages are similar and feel familiar for you to speak. Because the words are spelled as they sound, you can read them much easier.
You’ll be able to start speaking it starting day one!
How Can Learning Italian Help Me?
Italian is a fantastic language to learn if you have a love for food and art. You would know the meanings behind the names of your favorite Italian dishes. You’ll be able to understand the stories at the opera.
Not to mention Italy has one of the biggest economies in the world. Where business is booming, opportunities open up.
On top of all that, Italian is simply a beautiful language to speak.
5. Spanish
Spain is a popular tourist destination in Europe. But it’s far from the only place in the world where the locals speak Spanish.
It’s the second most spoken native language worldwide, with more than 400 million speakers. That ranks it above English.
It’s difficult to make an argument for why you shouldn’t study Spanish if you want to open doors for yourself. It’s unrivaled in boosting your career potential practically anywhere in the world.
How Can Learning Spanish Help Me?
Spanish is especially helpful if you plan to go into the medical field as a nurse or physician. Being able to communicate with Spanish-speaking patients will make your job easier.
This language is on the rise in the United States and it shows no signs of slowing down.
Spanish is a romance language, and therefore, one of the easiest to learn. And think of all the opportunities you’ll enjoy by making this language your priority in college.
In Conclusion
There’s hardly a bad reason to study a foreign language while you’re already in college.
It’s good for your career. It can open the door to authentic travel experiences. And it provides new communities for you to potentially connect with.
It may be difficult for you to choose just one language!
Learning any of these five European languages can set you up for a successful future. Consider the profession you want to go into as well as what speaks to your passion.
You never go wrong when you choose to broaden your horizons.
Author bio
Aaron Hunt is the Property Manager for The Urban, a student housing community near Ohio State University.
