Language is important in business and can have a significant impact on international trade. Therefore, investigating the best languages to learn for business will improve your understanding of the target market and give you the benefit of an expanded customer base—you won’t be limited to customers who speak one language.
Learning a business language depends on the industries and regions where one intends to do business, and having a solid knowledge of one the business languages of the future can greatly improve the chances of success in international business. Your business can benefit immensely from language. You can profit from knowing the most useful languages for business by better understanding the market and locals’ needs.
The value of being able to communicate in multiple languages is expanding as more companies start to grow and operate on a global basis. Speaking several languages increases your likelihood of taking advantageous chances. Here we have compiled some of the best languages for international business.
15 top languages to learn for international business
1. 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, 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.
- Where to learn it: United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand
- Recommended program: IES Abroad: Study Abroad & Intern
2. Mandarin
As Chinese companies and the Chinese economy continue to expand, Mandarin has grown as one of the best languages to learn for business. Learning the language proficiently will help you go far because there are many career prospects in China.
There are more than 1 billion native speakers of Mandarin Chinese and about 200 million non-native speakers worldwide. Additionally, following the United States, China has the second-largest nominal GDP (Gross Domestic Product) in the world. As one of the largest economies, China is home to the headquarters of many of the world's largest companies, like Shein, Lenovo, Xiaomi, and more.
It’s time to make your mark on Shanghai’s market.
In addition to China, people in Taiwan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Singapore also speak Mandarin. Numerous business owners seek to take advantage of the significant commercial potential in China, which has the largest manufacturing and export network in the world. At LTL Language School, you can not only learn Mandarin, but you can also choose to do it in one of eight different locations including Beijing, Shanghai, Taipei, and Singapore, to name a few.
- Where to learn it: China, Taiwan, Singapore
- Recommended program: LTL Language School || Learn Chinese (8 Cities)
3. Spanish
Spanish is widely spoken globally, making it a top language to learn for international business in Latin America, Spain, and Spanish-speaking communities in the U.S. and the UK. Therefore, if you want to search for business opportunities in Latin America or Spain, speaking Spanish will benefit you greatly.
Since nearly 13% of Americans speak Spanish at home, learning Spanish is important for the American market. The Spanish language is also the source of many words in the English language. Not to mention, Spanish is an official language of more than 20 nations.
Additionally, there are now approximately 559 million Spanish speakers worldwide, so even if you choose to work somewhere else, the language is still widely spoken. USAC’s Bilbao/Getxo program is ideal for students who wish to develop an international business career and/or a bilingual career, and could be one of the best locations to learn a foreign language for business.
- Where to learn it: Latin America, Spain
- Recommended program: USAC SPAIN: Bilbao/Getxo - International Business & Spanish
4. French
French is widely used in diplomacy, business, and tourism. Learning French will enable you to conduct business in a variety of nations, some of which are on the African continent. International institutions like the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the United Nations (UN) also have French as an official language.
There are 235 million people who use French daily. Their economies span a wide range of industries, including those in the Caribbean, Canada, Belgium, Switzerland, and many more. You could learn French in any of the nations mentioned above, though you might consider practicing French at NYU Paris.
- Where to learn it: France, Canada, Morocco, Switzerland
- Recommended program: Practice French at NYU Paris
5. Japanese
Take notes, because the best languages to learn for business will transform your future.
Around 125 million people, mostly in Japan, speak Japanese. Japan is a key contributor to international trade and has prominent players in a variety of industries, including finance, software, automotive, and pharmaceuticals. Japanese is widely utilized in industries like technology, making it one of the top business languages of the future.
In addition, knowing how to speak in Japanese will be helpful because Japan is home to several well-known retail chains. Japan serves as a hub for manufacturing and education innovations because it is a country that has some of the most cutting-edge technology in the world.
- Where to learn it: Japan
- Recommended program: Learn Japanese in Tokyo, Japan!
READ: 5 Best Places to Study Abroad for Business Students
6. Arabic
As a prominent language of the Middle East, Arabic is one of the most useful languages for business and can afford many opportunities, particularly in the oil and gas industry. However, business is not just limited to oil fields in the Middle East—it also includes infrastructure, fashion, and tourism.
Arabic is a very popular second or third language to learn because it enables businesses to expand into new markets and grow their international relations. It can also help employees communicate more effectively with foreign clients, help companies spread their brands, and help businesses establish long-lasting relationships in Arabic-speaking nations.
Arabic, after Mandarin Chinese, Spanish, English, and Hindi, is the fifth most widely spoken language in the world, with an estimated 274 million native speakers. Therefore, learning this language is highly recommended if you intend to start doing business with these countries. The American University in Cairo offers one great option for studying Arabic.
- Where to learn it: Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine, United Arab Emirates
- Recommended program: Arabic Language Intensive Program (ALIN) at AUC
7. German
German is one of the most useful languages for business in Europe because Germany is the European continent’s most populous economy and German is widely spoken across the EU. As the best nation in the world for entrepreneurship, Germany is one of Europe's economic powerhouses. The quality of life and business friendliness here were also given high marks.
Your German language skills will have you leading the way in one of Europe’s biggest business centers.
More than 95 million people around the world speak German, including many people throughout Central Europe, so learning it will give you the added advantage of being able to advertise your company in other German-speaking nations like Austria and Switzerland. TANDEM Köln offers German courses at all levels, from beginner to advanced.
- Where to learn it: Germany, Austria, Switzerland
- Recommended program: German Intensive Courses
8. Russian
Russia has long been a major player in global trade due to its abundance of natural resources and therefore is one of the best foreign languages to learn for business. Russian is the eighth most widely spoken language in the world—it’s spoken by about 258 million people globally.
The Russian Federation is home to millions of native Russian speakers and the Russian language is crucial in the corporate sector. As a bonus, learning Russian will allow you to take advantage of the fact that many people in Russia's neighboring nations, including Ukraine, Belarus, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan, speak it as a native tongue.
- Where to learn it: Russia, Latvia
- Recommended program: Study Russian in St. Petersburg, Russia
9. Portuguese
Portuguese is one of the best languages for business because it is widely spoken in Portugal, Brazil, and Portuguese-speaking nations in Africa. Portuguese, which boasts more than 200 million native speakers around the world, is one of the most important languages for business owners and entrepreneurs to learn.
Brazil's economy is expanding quickly, making it a key center of commerce in Latin America. Additionally, learning Portuguese can help you do business in other nations like Portugal, Angola, Mozambique, and Cape Verde.
- Where to learn it: Brazil, Portugal
- Recommended program: Study Portuguese Language Online or in Salvador, Brazil
10. Hindi
Hindi is a language worth learning, as evidenced by the growing number of companies with presence in India. India has experienced some of the greatest economic growth worldwide. Hindi is one of India's official languages and is spoken by approximately 577 million people as their mother tongue.
You’ll find a vast agricultural, artistic, and cultural heritage in India. Its industrial industry is expanding and its consumer market is substantial. Learning Hindi will help you work in the local market if you want to trade with this developing economy. You can even learn Hindi on the banks of the river Yamuna in New Delhi.
- Where to learn it: India
- Recommended program: Hindi Language Course and Immersion in New Delhi India
READ: How to Include Language Skills on Your Resume
11. Italian
Up your Zoom game by learning how to lead in another language.
Italian is widely used in the fashion and design industries and is Italy’s official language. Italian is a language with about 55 million native speakers, and it is also extensively spoken outside of Italy in nations like Switzerland, Croatia, Slovenia, and Malta.
Italian language study is highly recommended as one of the best languages for business for commercial purposes because Italy has the second-largest manufacturing industry in Europe. Italian is closely related to other significant business languages like Spanish, Portuguese, and French because of its deep Latin roots.
- Where to learn it: Italy
- Recommended program: Learn Italian in Tuscany at Il Sasso Language Institute
12. Korean
Korean is commonly spoken in fields like technology and electronics, where the country's economy is expanding quickly. South Korea is known for multinational conglomerate firms like Samsung and LG and has become a desirable location for investment and commerce due to its advantageous geographic location and sophisticated economy.
There is no doubt that learning Korean is valuable. With just 24 symbols in its alphabet, each of which is spelled to reflect how it should be pronounced, Korean is believed to have the most rational writing system in the world. About 79 million people worldwide are native Korean speakers.
- Where to learn it: South Korea
- Recommended program: Korean Language Course and Immersion in Seoul Korea
13. Swahili
With a combined population of almost 200 million speakers, Swahili is widely spoken in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Congo, Burundi, and Rwanda. Learning Swahili is crucial if you plan to make an investment or expand your company into Africa. Swahili originates in regional Bantu languages and has a huge Arabic influence, and it also absorbed elements of English, Hindi, Persian, and Portuguese.
Swahili is spoken widely in communities across East and Central Africa, including Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Uganda. Worldwide, Swahili is spoken by an estimated 16 million people as a native language and by 82 million as a second language. Perhaps try a course in Tanzania!
- Where to learn it: Tanzania
- Recommended program: Swahili Language Course in Tanzania
14. Dutch
No matter where your meetings take you, your language skills have you covered.
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.
- Where to learn it: Netherlands
- Recommended program: Learn Dutch in Amsterdam, Holland
15. Indonesian
Indonesia, the fourth most populous nation in the world with a fast expanding economy, speaks Indonesian as its official language. Indonesian is one of the most commonly spoken languages in the world, with at least 300 million speakers (including 30 million people not from Indonesia), despite the fact that it might not be the first language you'd think of learning for business needs.
Indonesia is another rapidly developing market, and the British Council has included Indonesian on its list of "Languages for the Future." Due to its phonetic nature and its resemblance to English in terms of word order, Indonesian is fortunately another language that English speakers may learn rapidly. On the island of Java, you take an Indonesian language course while immersing yourself in the culture.
- Where to learn it: Indonesia
- Recommended program: Indonesian Language Course and Immersion in Yogyakarta Indonesia
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When you learn a language, you’re preparing to take your business career to new heights.
A person's ability to successfully conduct business internationally can be greatly improved by being able to communicate in a business language. These languages can open doors to new business opportunities and aid in improving communication and relationships with customers and partners across various geographies and sectors. Multilingualism can significantly increase your ability to succeed in international business.
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