The 10 Best Languages to Learn in 2026 (And Where to Start)

Why learn a new language in 2026?

Multilingual people are well rewarded in a connected world. Whether you want a promotion, plan to move abroad or want to understand a new culture, a second or third language is one of the best investments you can make in yourself.

Research from Harvard Graduate School of Education shows that bilingualism strengthens executive function, improves memory and may delay the onset of dementia. A study published by the National Institutes of Health found that learning a language physically changes the brain.

According to ACTFL, demand for bilingual workers in the United States has more than doubled in the past decade. Here are the ten most valuable languages to learn in 2026.

1. Mandarin Chinese

Speakers: 1.1 billion+ | Difficulty: Hard (Category IV)

Mandarin has more native speakers than any other language, and China is still the world's second-largest economy. If you work in international trade, finance or tech, even conversational Mandarin gives you a big advantage.

Polyglot Steve Kaufmann, who speaks over 20 languages, has said Mandarin was one of the most rewarding languages he ever tackled. LTL Flexi Classes offers 5 free Mandarin classes with native-speaking teachers.

2. Spanish

Speakers: 500 million+ | Difficulty: Easy (Category I)

Spanish is the second most spoken language in the world and the fastest-growing language in the United States. In healthcare, education, law, and social work, Spanish fluency is increasingly a requirement. Duolingo research shows Spanish has the highest completion rates among learners. Try discounted 1-on-1 lessons on Preply.

3. Japanese

Speakers: 125 million | Difficulty: Hard (Category IV)

Japan is the world's third-largest economy and a leader in robotics, automotive engineering and gaming. Japanese uses three writing systems, but you can memorize hiragana and katakana in a week. Omniglot has excellent reference guides. Grab 5 free Japanese classes from LTL Flexi Classes.

4. Korean

Speakers: 80 million+ | Difficulty: Hard (Category IV)

Korean has seen the biggest jump in learner interest over the past five years, driven by the Korean Wave. South Korea is home to Samsung, Hyundai, LG and SK Hynix, and Hangul, the Korean alphabet, was designed to be learnable in a single day. Start with 5 free Korean classes from LTL Flexi Classes.

5. French

Speakers: 320 million+ | Difficulty: Easy-Moderate (Category I)

French is spoken in 29 countries across five continents and is a working language of the UN, EU and NATO. Africa's French-speaking population is projected to reach 700 million by 2050. UNESCO highlights French as key for global education. The Complete French Course on Udemy takes you from beginner to conversational fluency.

6. German

Speakers: 130 million+ | Difficulty: Moderate (Category II)

Germany is the largest economy in Europe and the fourth-largest in the world. Many PhD programs in Germany are tuition-free but require German proficiency. Benny Lewis learned German to fluency in months by speaking from day one. The Complete German Course on Udemy covers everything from the alphabet to business German.

7. Arabic

Speakers: 400 million+ | Difficulty: Very Hard (Category IV+)

Arabic is spoken across 25 countries and is one of the six official languages of the United Nations. Fluent Arabic speakers are in high demand across diplomacy, intelligence, energy, and journalism. Explore 1-on-1 Arabic tutoring through Preply.

8. Italian

Speakers: 85 million+ | Difficulty: Easy (Category I)

Italy is a global leader in fashion, automotive design, food and architecture. Many people find Italian one of the most beautiful-sounding languages, and it's one of the easiest for English speakers to learn. Start with the Complete Italian Course on Udemy.

9. Portuguese

Speakers: 260 million+ | Difficulty: Easy-Moderate (Category I)

Portuguese gets less attention than its size deserves. Brazil is the largest economy in Latin America and has a fast-growing tech startup scene. If you already speak Spanish, Portuguese is quite accessible, with about 90% lexical similarity. Browse our coupon listing for Portuguese learning options.

10. Cantonese

Speakers: 85 million+ | Difficulty: Very Hard (Category IV+)

Cantonese is still very important for business in Hong Kong, Macau and Guangdong province, and Hong Kong is one of the world's most important financial centers. Learning Cantonese also helps keep the language alive. LTL Flexi Classes offers 5 free Cantonese classes taught by native speakers from Hong Kong.

How to choose a language

• What is your career goal? Tech: Japanese, Korean, or German. Diplomacy: French or Arabic. Trade: Mandarin or Portuguese.
• Where do you want to live or travel? Pick the language that matches your travel or relocation plans.
• How much time can you commit? Category I languages (Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, French) reach conversational level in 6-12 months. Category IV languages (Mandarin, Japanese, Korean, Arabic, Cantonese) typically require 18-24 months.

Research from MIT suggests adults can still achieve high proficiency at any age with structured instruction and regular practice.

Tips for getting started

Combine structured courses with real conversation

The EF English Proficiency Index shows that countries with the highest proficiency emphasize communicative practice over rote memorization.

Set small, specific goals

As we wrote in our guide to the power of language learning, the momentum from early wins keeps learners going through the plateaus that always come.

Use multiple resources

Our article on the seven key benefits of language learning breaks down how different types of practice strengthen different cognitive skills.

Find a community

Our review of LTL Flexi Classes explains how small-group live classes combine structure with real classroom energy. You can also find live tutoring on Cambly or try Preply's multi-language platform.

Start learning today

Browse our full collection of language learning coupons and deals to find discounted courses for every language on this list.