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Which Language is Easiest to Learn in College?

Hi all, I'm considering which language to study in college. I have taken Spanish and French in high school, but I'm open to starting something new. What's considered the easiest language to learn in college? Any suggestions are welcome, thank you!

a year ago

The relative ease or difficulty of learning a new language can depend quite a bit upon your personal affinity, existing language abilities, and your interest in the culture surrounding each language, which can motivate you to study it.

That said, generally, languages that share the most congruency with your native language tend to be the easiest to learn. As you've taken Spanish and French in high school, languages within the same Romance language family, such as Italian or Portuguese, could be an easier option as they share a significant amount of vocabulary and grammar rules with those languages.

Alternatively, languages like Dutch and Swedish are considered relatively straightforward for English speakers due to the many similarities they share with English, both in vocabulary and grammar.

However, it's important to consider not only what might be the easiest language to learn but also what is useful for your career goals or personal enrichment. Furthermore, the resources available at your college could also factor into your decision. One university might have an exceptional Arabic program, for example, while another university might be particularly renowned for its resources in East Asian languages.

Overall, the "easiest" language will largely depend on your personal interests, linguistic background, and what resources are available at your college. It might be helpful to consult with an academic advisor or speak with the professors of the language departments to get a better understanding of what each language program entails.

a year ago

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