Catapult Your Global Dreams By Learning These European Languages

English, Mandarin, Hindi, Spanish, French, Arabic, Bengali, Russian, Portuguese and Indonesian are the top 10 widely spoken languages in the world. We have more than 1 billion English speakers, out of which roughly 35 per cent are native speakers and 75 per cent are non-natives. The mention of Mandarin as the second and Hindi as the third most widely spoken language after English is natural given the population of China and India.

Spanish and French are the two most widely spoken European languages with 530 million and 280 million speakers respectively. But that’s about the numbers. If we look at the language's popularity and demand with a utility lens of business and job opportunities, the bounty of fortune falls in the lap of European languages given the fact that NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization), Red Cross, UNESCO (United Nation Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation), WHO (World Health Organisation) and many other prestigious organisations have headquarters in Europe.

German, Dutch, French, Swedish, Danish and Spanish are the six most useful European languages to choose from. Learning German will certainly help you land high-paying jobs because most of the leading automobile companies such as Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi and Proche are German brands. French and Spanish are popular languages that will help you travel well and get to know the culture of Europe. Swedish, Danish and Dutch are popular languages for business.

If you’re interested in learning a language, read this article to know more about the six European languages that could benefit you immensely. You can learn most of the languages online on Udemy, DuoLingo and Language Patheon. If you’re interested in offline classes, an online search will help you locate one near you.

1. German

German is the official language of Germany, Liechtenstein and Austria. It is also the official language of Luxembourg and Switzerland. The German language is thriving. It has a wide range of vocabulary and a rich history. It is spoken by over 100 million people worldwide. If you plan on attending a University in Germany or working for a German company, it would be good to learn this language. You might need to know the German language in order to study or work in Germany.

Germany is home to some of the most famous automobile companies and universities in the world. The German companies offer amazing perks, thanks to economic prosperity and technological advancements. You’ll be able to land important jobs with great salaries and benefits because Germans prefer staying in their countries and attracting talents from outside with handsome rewards.

Also Read: Online German Courses & Certifications

2. French

Also known as the language of Romance, French is used by almost 280 million people to communicate matters important and trivial. You’d be surprised to know that more than 40 per cent of modern English words can trace their origin to French. After English, French is one of the most important diplomatic languages given that it is the official language of 29 countries in the world.

It is the second most popular choice of language learning in the EU (European Union). It will help you communicate better while travelling Europe and also give you a chance to explore the beauty of French literature and culture. Europe. Learning French is gaining an extra edge to secure good paying jobs not just in Europe, but in other countries as well.

Also Read: All You Need To Know About French Language Certifications: DELF And DALF

3. Spanish

Spanish or Español, originated from Castile, a region in central Spain and that’s why it is also known as Castellano. It is a unique language which makes certain Spanish words difficult to be translated into any other language. Spanish is spoken by more than 500 million people throughout the world.

It is the energy and rhythm of this language that attracts the learners. Knowing Spanish along with your other skills and specialisation will help you get great paying jobs. It will also help you navigate your travels through Europe and other countries with ease.

4. Danish

Spoken by almost 6 million people, Danish is the official language of Faroe Island and Denmark. Danish is similar to Norwegian and Swedish languages, meaning you can understand the other two languages if you learn Danish.

What makes learning Danish so useful is that it is taught only in a few schools and there’s good demand for Danish speakers across Ireland, Portugal and Malta. With just 6 million people speaking the language, it gives you more opportunities to get high-paying jobs in roles that require fluency in Danish.

5. Swedish

Swedish is a North Germanic language spoken widely in Sweden and parts of Finland. There are almost 10 million Swedish speakers and 90 per cent of them live in Sweden. Less number of Swedish speakers outside Sweden means more job opportunities. Swedish is similar to Danish and Norwegian languages and also influenced by French.

Learning Swedish will help you get good opportunities in universities and companies not only in Sweden but in countries like Malta, Spain, Portugal and Greece. Learning a language just adds one more extra skill that pays you well.

6. Dutch

If you’re surprised to know that Dutch is one of the six most useful European languages to learn, let us give some facts to flame your curiosity. It is easier to learn Dutch if you already speak and write English fluently. Apple, banana and pear in Dutch are Appel, Banaan and Peer respectively.

There are just 23 million Dutch native speakers and this creates a problem for businesses in Europe. It would be interesting to learn this language as Dutch speakers and writers can get good job opportunities with leading companies. There are instances where companies get really competitive and offer great packages to people who know what very few do.

Learning a new language is good. It is a great mental exercise that helps you communicate with people across the world. It also offers you a competitive edge when it comes to important positions in the diplomatic world, art and humanities sector, and corporate sector as well.

It would be unwise to reduce any language merely to its utility value. Languages are more than just syllables stitched together, they have a beauty of their own and a history too. Millions of people express their opinions and feelings thanks to these languages. To truly enjoy the process of learning a language, choose something that appeals to you. To find which one you like the most.

Happy Learning!