Traveling to a foreign country can be an exciting and enriching experience, but it can also be challenging if you can't speak the local language. Knowing even just a few basic phrases in the local language can go a long way toward connecting with locals and making your trip more enjoyable.
We'll explore the best languages to learn for travel and provide language learning tips for travelers. So, get ready to find out about the best languages for traveling internationally and start planning your next adventure.
How learning a language makes travel more meaningful
Learning a new language can make traveling a more meaningful and rewarding experience. Not only can it help break down communication barriers, but it can also provide insight into the local culture and way of life.
Firstly, speaking the local language can make travel easier and more enjoyable. Simple tasks like ordering food or asking for directions become much easier when you can communicate with locals in their own language. This can lead to a more authentic travel experience as you are able to connect with locals on a deeper level and gain a better understanding of the local customs and traditions.
Learning a new language also provides a window into another culture. Language and culture are closely intertwined, and by learning the language, you are also gaining insight into the way of life and values of the people who speak it. This can lead to a greater appreciation and understanding of the country you are visiting.
Finally, learning a new language is a valuable skill that can benefit you in many areas of life, not just when traveling. It can open up new job opportunities, help you make new friends, and even improve cognitive function.
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14 best languages to learn for travel
Here are the 14 best languages for traveling:
1. Spanish
Spanish is an incredibly important language to learn for travel. It is the second-most spoken language in the world, making it a valuable language to know for travelers. With over 20 countries speaking Spanish as an official language, including Spain, Mexico, and much of Central and South America, knowing Spanish can be a huge asset while you’re off seeing the world.
Learning Spanish is relatively easy compared to other languages. Its grammar is straightforward, and its vocabulary is largely derived from Latin, making it easy to recognize words and understand their meanings. In summary, Spanish is an important language to learn for travel due to its widespread use, its ability to help you connect with locals, and its relative ease of learning.
- Best place to learn: Costa Rica
- Recommended program: Spanish Immersion Programs | Learn Spanish in Latin America by Maximo Nivel
2. French
Put your French skills to good use by touring boulangeries while you’re traveling.
French is an important language to learn for travel for several reasons. Firstly, it is an official language in 29 countries, widely spoken in Western Europe, Africa, and Canada, so knowing French can be useful for those traveling to these regions. French is also considered one of the most romantic languages and is often associated with high culture. It is the language of literature, art, and cuisine, and knowing French can provide a deeper appreciation and understanding of these areas.
Finally, learning French is a valuable skill that can benefit you in many areas of life, not just when traveling. It is one of the official languages of the United Nations and is widely used in the fields of business, education, and diplomacy. Whether you're traveling to Paris, Montreal, or any of the other French-speaking regions, knowing French can greatly enhance your travel experience.
- Best place to learn: Morocco
- Recommended program: ISA Study Abroad in Meknes, Morocco
3. Mandarin
Mandarin is the most spoken language in the world, making it a valuable language to know for travelers. With over 1.3 billion speakers, Mandarin is the official language of China and Taiwan, making it a great choice for travelers to these regions. Knowing Mandarin can provide a deeper appreciation and understanding of Chinese culture.
China is a country with a rich history and unique traditions, and knowing Mandarin can help travelers gain a better understanding of these areas. Learning Mandarin can also benefit you in many areas of life beyond travel. China has become an economic powerhouse in recent years, and knowing Mandarin can open up new job opportunities and business partnerships.
- Best place to learn: Singapore
- Recommended program: LTL Language School || Learn Chinese (8 Cities)
4. Arabic
Arabic is the fifth most spoken language in the world and is the official language in over 20 countries, including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Morocco. It is one of the best languages to learn for travel, as popular tourist destinations in the Middle East and North Africa operate in Arabic.
Arabic is a language with a rich cultural history. Arabic literature, music, and art are revered around the world, and knowing Arabic can provide a deeper appreciation and understanding of these areas. Furthermore, the Middle East is an area of increasing global importance, and knowing Arabic can open up new job opportunities in the future.
- Best place to learn: Egypt
- Recommended program: Arabic Language Intensive Program (ALIN) at AUC
5. Hindi
You can’t go wrong by learning Hindi if you’re planning a trip to India.
Hindi is a critical language to learn if you're planning on traveling to India. It's one of the more commonly spoken languages of India and is spoken by over 500 million people worldwide, so knowing Hindi can really come in handy when communicating with locals.
Another cool thing about learning Hindi is that it can give you a better appreciation and understanding of Indian culture. India is a really diverse country with a rich history, amazing food, and Bollywood films loved around the world.
Knowing Hindi can help you better understand and appreciate all of these things. It is also a stepping stone toward learning other Indian languages and even Sanskrit if you’re interested in pursuing a more spiritual path someday!
- Best place to learn: India
- Recommended program: Hindi Intensive Course (One-to-One Lessons) by Indo Vacations
6. English
As the most common foreign language, there's no doubt that English is one of the top languages to learn for international business. With English spoken in 94 different nations and entities, this language is understood by 15% of everyone on the planet, and that number is rising daily.
There are over 942 million English speakers worldwide. However, only about 400 million people worldwide, including people from the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, are native speakers of this language.
Still, English speakers are widespread throughout the globe. If you want to study English, you might check out IES Abroad English programs. Imagine studying English down under in Sydney, Australia.
Several of the world's most prestigious organizations have made English their official language. As a result, English is crucial for businesses to succeed globally. You must communicate in English if you want to grow and expand your business internationally.
- Best place to learn: United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand
- Recommended program: IES Abroad: Study Abroad & Intern
7. Thai
Thailand is a popular tourist destination known for its beautiful beaches, vibrant cities, and rich cultural heritage. Knowing Thai can help travelers navigate the country more easily and communicate with locals, which can enhance their overall travel experience. In addition, Thai is the official language of Thailand and is spoken by about 60 million people worldwide.
Learning Thai can be a gateway to understanding the culture and traditions of the Thai people and can help travelers connect with locals on a deeper level. But why do people want to learn Thai? Well, for one thing, Thai is a tonal language, which means that the meaning of a word can change based on the tone used to say it. This makes it a fascinating and challenging language to learn, and many people enjoy the intellectual challenge of mastering Thai.
There are plenty of reasons why Thailand is a top tourist destination, and learning Thai will take your visit to another level.
Furthermore, Thai has a rich and diverse vocabulary, with many words that don’t have direct translations in English. This means that learning Thai can expand how you can express yourself. Thai people are known for their warmth and hospitality, and knowing Thai can help travelers form meaningful connections with locals and gain a deeper understanding of Thai culture.
- Best place to learn: Thailand
- Recommended program: Thai Language Course and Immersion in Chang Mai, Thailand
8. Dutch
Dutch is a widely used language in international organizations and is widely spoken in the Netherlands, a significant trading hub in Europe. It’s also regarded as one of the simplest languages for English speakers to learn. Even though only about 22 million people in the world speak Dutch, the country is a major hub for trade and transit, and it also has one of the most open economies in the world.
The Netherlands is frequently considered the ideal test market for new products because it was an early adopter of new technologies. By learning Dutch, you can better understand Dutch culture and interact with Dutch business partners and customers.
- Best place to learn: Netherlands
- Recommended program: Learn Dutch in Amsterdam, Holland
9. Italian
Italian is the official language of Italy, and it is also spoken in parts of Switzerland and Croatia. Italy is a popular tourist destination, known for its stunning architecture, rich history, and delicious food.
Italy is also known for having an aging population—many elderly people in Italy likely do not speak English. Italians are known for their friendliness, and knowing Italian can help travelers navigate the country more easily and communicate more efficiently, which can enhance the overall travel experience and help you tap into that Italian wisdom!
That could be you, enjoying the Italian sunshine, getting ready to make conversation with locals.
Italian is also a beautiful language with a rich cultural history. From the art and literature of the Renaissance to the operas and music of the modern era, Italy has played a significant role in shaping Western culture. As one of the Romance languages, it can be your gateway to other languages like Spanish, French, and Portuguese—or it will be a much easier endeavor picking up Italian if you already have a foundation in these other languages!
- Best place to learn: Italy
- Recommended program: Learning Italy: Summer Abroad Program in Tuscany - 5 Weeks with Dante Alighieri Siena - Learning Italy
10. Korean
Korean is the official language of both North and South Korea and is spoken by about 75 million people worldwide, including in parts of China and Japan. Learning Korean is a great idea if you’re interested in that region. Firstly, South Korea is a very attractive place to visit, with its delicious food, rich history, and cutting-edge technology. Korean is also a unique language with its own distinct writing system and grammar rules.
Many people are drawn to the challenge of learning Korean and enjoy the intellectual stimulation that comes with mastering a new language like this. Furthermore, South Korea is a major player in industries like technology, entertainment, and automotive manufacturing. Knowing Korean can not only open up potential future opportunities but will also allow you to appreciate K-pop and K-dramas on a deeper level!
- Best place to learn: South Korea
- Recommended program: Summer Korean Immersion Program with Homestay in Seoul
11. German
German is a widely spoken language in Europe and has over 100 million speakers worldwide. Learning German can be a gateway to understanding the culture and traditions of German-speaking countries like Germany, Austria, and parts of Switzerland, Belgium, and Italy.
German is a language of innovation and industry, with a reputation for precision and efficiency. Many people are drawn to German because of its association with fields like engineering, science, and technology, and see it as a valuable skill to have in today's global marketplace. Furthermore, German is a language with a rich cultural heritage, with contributions to fields like philosophy, literature, and music.
From the works of Kant and Nietzsche to the operas of Wagner, German has played a significant role in shaping key European history. Finally, German people are known for their directness and honesty, and knowing German can help travelers form meaningful connections with locals, with a better understanding of cultural barriers.
- Best place to learn: Germany
- Recommended program: Volunteer to Teach English & Study German (1-12 Weeks) by Excellence Center in Europe
12. Japanese
Japan’s iconic sights are calling. Start studying Japanese and get your answer ready!
People all over the world are interested in learning Japanese for a variety of reasons. Japanese is the official language of Japan and is spoken by over 130 million people worldwide. Apart from Japan, it is also widely spoken in Brazil due to the early immigration of Japanese people for many generations. Learning Japanese can be a gateway to understanding the culture and traditions of Japan, from historic art dating back centuries to contemporary manga and anime.
The language itself is immensely fascinating. Japanese has many honorifics and polite language expressions that are used to show respect and politeness in social interactions. These honorifics can be used to show respect to someone of higher social status or to express gratitude, and are an important part of Japanese culture and language.
Japanese vocabulary also includes onomatopoeic words. These are words that imitate sounds, like "pika-pika" for sparkling or "gacha-gacha" for clattering. Onomatopoeic words are used frequently in Japanese and add a fun and playful element to the language.
Japanese has a rich and diverse vocabulary, with many words and phrases that don't have direct translations in English. This means that learning Japanese can help you think in new and different ways. Japanese people are known for their politeness and hospitality, and knowing Japanese can help travelers form meaningful connections with locals and minimize language gaps.
- Best place to learn: Japan
- Recommended program: Meiji Academy - Study Japanese in Fukuoka
13. Russian
Russian is spoken by over 258 million people worldwide and is an official language of Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. It is also widely spoken in other former Soviet republics like Ukraine, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan, making it one of the best languages to learn for travel. Many people in these countries learned Russian as a second language during the Soviet era, and it remains an essential language for business and communication.
Knowing Russian as a traveler will allow you to appreciate the richness of such countries and the vast diversity it has to offer. Russian is known for its complex grammar rules and unique vocabulary. For example, Russian has a rich system of word endings that indicate grammatical cases, which can be challenging for English speakers to learn.
All that studying will pay off when you can handle grammatical cases with ease.
In addition, Russian has a lot of loanwords from other languages, particularly French and German, which add to the richness and diversity of the language. Russian is also spoken by diaspora communities all over the world, particularly in the United States, Israel, and Germany. These communities often maintain cultural and linguistic ties to Russia and use Russian as a means of communication and cultural expression.
- Best place to learn: Latvia
- Recommended program: Russian as a Foreign Language in Daugavpils, Latvia
14. Turkish
Turkish is the official language of Turkey and is spoken by over 80 million people worldwide, including in parts of Cyprus and Bulgaria. Turkish is a language that many people aiming to be polyglots want to master, as the language is known for its agglutinative nature. This means that words are created by stringing together different morphemes, which can result in long and complex words and can be challenging for English speakers to learn.
In addition, Turkish has many loanwords from other languages, particularly Arabic and Persian. These loanwords add to the richness and diversity of the Turkish vocabulary and can be interesting for language learners to explore.
Furthermore, Turkish is a vital language for trade and commerce, with Turkey being a major player in industries like textiles, agriculture, and tourism. Turkish media like drama series and music are also gaining popularity lately, so learning this beautiful language will allow you to appreciate and indulge in a wider variety of art forms.
- Best place to learn: Turkey
- Recommended program: Turkish Language Course and Immersion in Istanbul, Turkey
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Traveling is a great motivator for learning a new language!
Which of these languages will you choose to learn first?
Learning even a few basic phrases in any of these languages can greatly enhance your travel experience and help you connect with locals. Exploring the world is a never-ending journey, and enhancing your experience by learning various languages will be priceless.
Not only is learning a language a great way to improve your own capabilities, but it’s also a great way to connect with people around the world and appreciate other places! So why not give it a try and see where your language learning journey takes you?
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Munira Maricar
GoAbroad Contributor
Having lived in Singapore, Qatar, Japan, and now Mexico, Munira is basically a walking GoAbroad experience. She now lives on the Pacific Coast of Mexico between Jalisco and Oaxaca and is a strong advocate for traveling responsibly and living abroad consciously, always enforcing the importance of respecting local customs around the world.
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