Which foreign languages are most studied in the US?

I'm thinking about taking a foreign language course, and I'm curious about which languages are popular among students in the US. Could this choice impact my college applications or future career opportunities?

The most commonly studied languages in the US, excluding English, are typically Spanish, French, and German. More recently, students have shown increasing interest in learning less traditional languages such as Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, and Korean.

The choice of a foreign language can impact your college applications and future career opportunities, but it depends largely on what you want to do in the future. For instance, if you aspire to work in international business or some form of global diplomacy, learning widely spoken languages such as Spanish or Mandarin can open up numerous opportunities. If you aim for a career in the sciences, German is often recommended because Germany is a common location for international conventions and has many scientific papers published in German.

Similarly, demonstrating proficiency in a less commonly taught language can make you stand out in college applications, particularly when it aligns with your desired field of study or career path. For example, if you wish to major in International Relations with a focus on Middle Eastern politics, learning Arabic could indeed strengthen your application.

Bear in mind that your passion for learning the language and the level of proficiency you attain are more important than just studying the language because others are doing so. Learning a foreign language should ideally be driven by your interests and future goals. It's a commitment, and you'll be more inclined to do well and reach higher proficiency levels if you're genuinely interested in the language and its related culture.