10 Best Languages to Learn in 2025: Complete Guide for Career & Travel

As the world grows increasingly connected across borders and cultures, being multilingual is becoming an invaluable asset personally, professionally, and financially. With over 7,000 languages spoken globally, which tongues are worth investing your time to learn in 2025 and beyond?

Certain languages lead the pack in terms of usefulness for travel, business, diplomacy, and preserving cultural heritage. Let’s explore some top languages and how to choose the right one for you.

Why Learning a New Language in 2025 Matters More Than Ever

Learning a foreign language is one of the best investments you can make. It helps you find better jobs, build stronger relationships, and understand the world in new ways. 

Here are more reasons why learning a new language is a smart choice:

• Better global communication: It enables you to communicate with people from other countries and understand different perspectives.
• Stronger cultural understanding: Language helps you enjoy and understand art, stories, and ideas from other cultures better.
• Career growth: Bilingual skills are in high demand, particularly in fields like law, business, customer service, and medicine. It can also increase your chances of promotion, salary raise, and travel opportunities.
• Preserve your roots: Keep your family language and traditions alive for future generations.
• Enhance your mental health: Studies also show that bilingual people have better focus, problem-solving skills, and memory. It can even help delay memory loss as you get older.

So, in today’s world, learning a new language brings big rewards. If you’re asking yourself, “What language should I learn?” Now is the perfect time to read on to explore your options and choose the one that you like and/or that fits your goals the best.

10 Most Studied Languages

There is no one perfect way to answer the question, “What is the best language to learn?” It depends on your goals, interests, and where you want to use the language.

But one way to help you decide is by looking at the most popular languages people are learning around the world. Based on different reports and statistics, here’s a list of the top languages to learn:

English

English is the main language used for business, science, technology, aviation, diplomacy, and entertainment. It helps you get better jobs in multinational corporations, get opportunities to travel or study abroad, and connect with more people worldwide. It’s also usually a prerequisite for higher education globally.

• Number of learners: About 1.5 billion.
• Countries where it's most widely spoken: 60+ countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and India.
• Time to learn: From beginner to conversational (A2-B1): About 200-300 hours of focused study. From conversational to fluent (B2-C1): About 500-700 hours. And for fluency (C2), about 1000+ hours.

If you are unsure of your English proficiency level, consider taking a placement test to assess your skills accurately. It can help determine the appropriate starting point for your language learning journey and ensure that you get the right level of instruction and materials to meet your needs.

French

French offers significant career advantages in diplomacy, international trade, luxury goods, fashion, culinary arts, and tourism. It also can provide a rich cultural immersion into literature, cinema, and history, and it is widely spoken across five continents, making it useful for global travel.

• Number of learners: Around 120-132 million.
• Countries where it's most widely spoken: 29+ countries, including France, Canada, Belgium, Switzerland, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
• Time it takes to learn: From beginner to conversational (A2-B1): 200-300 hours. From conversational to fluent (B2-C1): About 500-700 hours.

Beyond France, French is a key language of global diplomacy, used in international organizations such as the UN, EU, UNESCO, UNICEF, NATO, WWF, and more. This means that French can open the doors to jobs in many multinational companies and NGOs.

7

Korean

Chinese

Chinese, particularly Mandarin, is a powerhouse language spoken by over 1 billion people globally. Chinese is invaluable for accessing the world's second-largest economy and its thriving job market across various sectors, including business, technology, and manufacturing.

• Number of learners: Over 30 million.
• Countries where it's most widely spoken: 30+ countries, including China, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia (Chinese diaspora).
• Time it takes to learn: From beginner to conversational (A2-B1): About 600-800 hours. From conversational to fluent (B2-C1): About 2,200+ hours.

Mandarin proficiency is very valuable for international business, trade, and technology. It gives you an advantage in the job market and helps you connect with one of the world’s oldest and most interesting cultures.

Spanish

Spanish is the second most spoken language globally, after Mandarin. Learning Spanish helps you connect with Hispanic cultures and opens job opportunities in business, media, education, healthcare, tourism, and more.

• Number of learners: Over 23 million.
• Countries where it's most widely spoken: 30+ countries, including Mexico, Colombia, Spain, Argentina, and Peru (and the United States has a very large Spanish-speaking population, too.)
• Time it takes to learn: From beginner to conversational (A2-B1): About 200-300 hours. From conversational to fluent (B2-C1): About 500-700 hours.

Spanish is becoming more important as Latin American countries grow in population and economy. It is very useful for traveling in these countries and Spain, as it allows you to fully immerse yourself in different cultures rich in great music, delicious food, and interesting history.

German

German is the most widely spoken language within the EU. It’s integral to multinational corporations and booming industries like automotive and engineering. 

• Number of learners: Over 15.4 million.
• Countries where it's most widely spoken: 20+ countries, including Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, and Liechtenstein.
• Time it takes to learn: From beginner to conversational (A2-B1): About 200-300 hours. From conversational to fluent (B2-C1): About 500-700 hours.

With Germany holding immense economic influence as Europe’s largest economy, German skills offer exciting job, educational, and collaboration opportunities.

Japanese

Japanese has become a major world language, as Japan is a global leader in areas like innovation, technology, gaming, animation, and pop culture. This country has the world’s third-largest economy, and Japanese knowledge is valued by multinational companies.

• Number of learners: Approximately 3.79 million.
• Countries where it's most widely spoken: 5+ countries, including Japan, the United States (Japanese diaspora), Brazil (Japanese diaspora), Canada, and Peru.
• Time it takes to learn: From beginner to conversational (A2-B1): About 600-800 hours. From conversational to fluent (B2-C1): About 1,100+ hours.

Learning Japanese opens doors to careers in these innovative fields and provides an immersive experience into a unique and fascinating culture. It's beneficial for international business, especially in IT and manufacturing, and for exploring Japan as a tourist.

Arabic

Arabic is crucial for understanding the Middle East and North Africa. It's a language of commerce, diplomacy, and culture in the region. It provides opportunities in the region’s growing economies across sectors like energy, infrastructure development, business services, and more.

• Number of learners: Approximately 4 million.
• Countries where it's most widely spoken: 35+ countries, including Egypt, Algeria, Sudan, Iraq, and Morocco.
• Time it takes to learn: From beginner to conversational (A2-B1): About 800+ hours. From conversational to fluent (B2-C1): About 2,200+ hours.

Arabic is the official language of 24 countries and is important for business and cultural understanding in the Middle East and North Africa.

Italian

Italian is the language of art, music, fashion, cinema, and cuisine. It allows you to fully engage with Italy’s influential cultural scene across design, architecture, literature, and more. Italian also unlocks opportunities in tourism, hospitality, and the culinary arts.

• Number of learners: Over 2 million.
• Countries where it's most widely spoken: 10+ countries, including Italy, Switzerland, San Marino, Vatican City, and pockets in the US and Argentina.
• Time it takes to learn: From beginner to conversational (A2-B1): About 200-300 hours. From conversational to fluent (B2-C1): About 500-700 hours.

Italian is often chosen for its connection to high fashion, design, culinary arts, opera, and art history, and it can open doors to many travelers and professionals seeking opportunities in those sectors.

Portuguese

Portuguese is the sixth most spoken language globally. It’s the language of business in Brazil, one of the world’s fastest-growing economies. Portuguese is also useful for exploring business and travel opportunities related to Angola, Mozambique, and more.

• Number of learners: Over 1.8 million.
• Countries where it's most widely spoken: Official language in 9 countries.
• Top 5: Brazil, Portugal, Angola, Mozambique, Cape Verde.
• Time it takes to learn: From beginner to conversational (A2-B1): About 200-300 hours. From conversational to fluent (B2-C1): About 500-700 hours.

Portuguese is quickly gaining traction, which is beneficial for careers in international business, commodities, and tourism. It also provides a gateway to diverse cultures across South America, Europe, and Africa.

Korean

Thanks to the meteoric rise of K-pop and other kinds of Korean entertainment, interest in learning Korean has skyrocketed recently. South Korea is a world leader in innovation, and knowledge of the Korean language can offer valuable insights into the country’s rich cultural heritage and economic growth.

• Number of learners: Over 10 million.
• Countries where it's most widely spoken: 5+ countries, including South Korea, North Korea, China (Korean autonomous prefectures), Japan (Korean diaspora), and the United States (Korean diaspora).
• Time it takes to learn: From beginner to conversational (A2-B1): About 400-500 hours. From conversational to fluent (B2-C1): About 1,100+ hours.

The rise of K-pop, Korean dramas, and movies has made Korean very popular around the world. But, beyond keeping up with pop culture, knowing Korean can help you find career opportunities in tech, business, and global trade.

Clearly, learning any of these languages can open up a lot of different opportunities, but choosing the right language to begin with is crucial. Let's move on to exploring the key factors that will help you make this decision.

How to Choose the Right Language for Your Goals

Choosing the best language to learn next is an important decision, as it will need you to invest a lot of time and effort. And, with so many options, how do you know which one is right for you?

Here are a few key factors and questions you can ask yourself to come to a conclusion:

Your interests and goals:

The very first thing to consider is your personal interests and long-term goals. Define why you want to learn a new language in the first place.

• Is there a particular culture (music, food, entertainment, etc.) you love or a specific destination you want to visit?
• Is there a particular language that can help you connect better with friends, family, or a partner?
• Is there a specific job or career where knowing a particular language could help you grow?

Choose a language that aligns with your hobbies, career, travel plans, or other personal goals. When your language connects to what you love, it becomes much easier (and more fun) to stay motivated in your learning journey.

Your learning style: 

Some languages may be more compatible with your preferred learning style than others. So you can ask yourself:

• Do you enjoy reading and writing, or are you more of a listener and speaker?
• Would a visually rich language (like Korean or Japanese) keep you more engaged?
• Do you need structured lessons or prefer to explore freely?
• Would trying something new, like a different script or writing system, make you feel excited or anxious?

For example, if you're a visual learner, a language with a different writing system, like Chinese or Arabic, may be more appealing to you than learning languages like German or French.

Availability of resources: 

You can find plenty of resources for learners of common languages like Spanish, French, and Italian, but languages spoken by smaller populations, like Hawaiian, Nahuatl, or Navajo, have far fewer resources available, which is an important thing to consider. 

• Is the language you want to learn available on learning platforms like Promova?
• Can you find free lessons online or affordable tutoring for that language?
• Does the language have plenty of apps, podcasts, books, or YouTube channels you can practice with?
• Would you struggle if materials were limited or harder to access?

The more learning tools you can access, the faster and easier your progress. Choose a language with support that matches your learning pace and budget.

Tip: Promova offers language courses for all the popular languages we listed above, as well as Latin American Spanish, Ukrainian, and American Sign Language.

Level of difficulty: 

It’s no secret that some languages are harder to learn than others, especially if they’re very different from your native language. It’s also important to consider the challenges you're willing to take on without feeling too overwhelmed.

• Do you want to learn a language that’s easier for beginners (like Spanish or Italian)?
• Or, are you up for a real challenge, like learning a whole new writing system like Arabic, Korean, or Mandarin?
• How much time can you realistically commit to learning each week?
• Would you feel frustrated if progress is slow, or would you simply enjoy the journey?

Every language is worth learning, but knowing your limits helps you start strong. Choose a challenge you’ll enjoy, not one that feels overwhelming. 

Now, let's delve into the best ways to learn these languages in 2025.

Tips for Mastering a New Language

Ready to tackle the language you chose? Follow these tips to become fluent faster:

• Set realistic goals: Define clear, achievable language learning goals to track your progress and stay motivated.
• Find a learning method that works for you: Explore different learning methods, such as online courses, Android or iPhone language apps, or traditional classes, and choose the one that suits your learning style.
• Practice regularly: Consistency is key. Dedicate regular time to practice, even if it's just a few minutes each day. Build skills gradually without burnout.
• Immerse yourself in the language: Surround yourself with the language as much as possible. Watch movies, read books, and engage in conversations to immerse yourself in the language and culture.

With smart goal-setting, immersive practice, and determination, language mastery is within your reach.

How to Learn Languages with Promova

As you explore new languages in 2025, Promova offers personalized support and resources:

• Interactive courses in 10+ languages: Our self-paced courses teach English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Korean, Arabic, Chinese, Ukrainian and more through bite-sized video lessons.
• Mobile apps: Download our iOS and Android apps to study languages on-the-go through interactive tutorials, vocabulary exercises, games and quizzes.
• Online tutoring: Expert teachers offer personalized 1-on-1 and small group lessons tailored to your exact language goals via video chat.
• Conversation practice: Attend our free online English speaking clubs to gain fluency through real discussions with language learners worldwide.
• Specialized courses: Level up your Business English, English for Travel, and interview skills with targeted instruction.
• Assessment: Our free placement test evaluates your skills and creates a customized learning plan based on your exact needs.

With Promova, you can comprehensively improve your vocabulary, grammar, writing, listening, speaking, pronunciation, and reading in English and other languages! Our flexible, adaptive platform will guide you to fluency in 2025 and beyond.

Conclusion

The best language to learn in 2025 ultimately depends on your individual circumstances and aspirations. With the resources and guidance available through platforms like Promova, you can embark on your language learning journey with confidence. Take the first step towards becoming a global citizen by mastering a new language—it's a skill that will serve you well in the years to come.