When you want to understand the best languages to learn in the 21st century you need to give plenty of thought to how the world operates. Learning a language isn’t just a great way to spend some free time. It’s also a proven way to improve your employability so that you stand out for all the right reasons. Take a look at 6 of the most important languages right now, and then decide which one you want to learn. 

Arabic

No list of the most useful languages to learn would be complete without the world’s fourth most widely spoken language. It’s the key way to communicate right across the Middle East and currently boasts in excess of 300 million native speakers. Not only that, but it’s a language steeped in history and tradition that gives you plenty of insight into the unique culture of the region. Ideal if you’re a student of history as well as someone looking to improve their job prospects. 

Mandarin 

It may not be the easiest Asian language to learn, but it’s one that’s set to transform the way the world works. China is now well established as the world’s second-largest economy, and it continues to grow at a rate which can only be looked at with envy by most of the world’s other economic powers. All of this means that the most popular dialect within the world’s most populous country is going to become increasingly important over the following decades. Becoming fluent will allow you to teach, study, and do business in the country that many experts predict will reshape the world over the course of the next century. 

French 

If you’re listing the most influential languages in the world then French always has to be in the picture. It’s widely spoken across Canada and Africa and has a rich tradition to match any of the other European languages who have their roots in Latin. For those of you who want to be able to travel, see the world, and expand your horizons, French is a natural choice. It’s also one of the main working languages of the European Union which presents a wide variety of translation and interpreting options for those of you looking to explore that route. 

German 

One of the best languages to learn for the future has to be German. It’s expressive, complex, and highly emotive. All key reasons why you’ll be an attractive prospect to businesses and universities if you become fluent in it as a second language. The main thing with German is to get a feeling for the almost guttural pronunciation that many non-native speakers struggle with. If you want your words to flow off your tongue it’s going to take a lot of practice, but the end result will definitely be worth it. Put the work in and you’ll be speaking with the locals in no time at all. 

Spanish

It’s one of the most important languages for business, and it’s not hard to see why. It was a close call between Spanish and Portuguese, but we chose the former based on the number of countries it’s spoken in. The growth of the Brazilian economy is reason enough for Portuguese to get an honorable mention, but Spanish is the language spoken across the rest of South America. It will also allow you to explore Mexican culture and to do business with an economy that’s predicted to grow beyond all recognition in the years ahead. 

English 

At present many people would argue that that best language for international business remains English. It’s the primary foreign language learned throughout Asia which itself makes English the closest thing to a global business language. If you want to be able to travel to any country in the world and be able to find at least one person who understands you, English is the language for you. If it’s your second language, why not focus on becoming fluent over the course of the next 12 months? It will make for an impressive addition to your CV, and it will give you the confidence to embark on an exciting new career.