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Best European languages to Study in College
When you’re ready to get your foreign language credit in college, you probably fall into one of two categories. You either know exactly what language you’ve always been passionate about wanting to learn, or you have no idea which one to choose.
If you fall in the second category, you might appreciate a little direction in your options. Most colleges offer a selection of European languages for their students. There are different traits in each language that make them all worthy choices. But how to know which one these options is the best language to learn in Europe?
To help guide you in narrowing down the course that makes sense for you, we’ve studied the most common languages offered at popular colleges. Then we put together a list of the top five best European languages for students to master during their higher education.
So, which European language is the best to learn in college?
Best language to learn in Europe #1: Spanish
A predominant language in America, with fluent Spanish-speaking residents of the country numbering over 41 million. Over 20 million more Americans claim to speak the language well enough to hold a conversation, and these numbers continue to rise.
South and Central American countries are within a few hours' flight from the United States. Mexico abuts the southern border so thoroughly, the cultures of those two countries just can't help but intermingle.
So many people speak this language that it’s no wonder knowing fluent Spanish is one of the most in-demand business skills. It’s sought-after in industries such as medical, law, social work, and education.
If you choose to take Spanish, you can work hard, knowing you will most likely use your new knowledge often in your future. It is definitely among the best European languages to learn, as it is quite commonly spoken in Europe, as well.
Best language to learn in Europe #2: French
In the United States, French is not as predominant as Spanish, but it's quite common in the rest of the world. In fact, it’s one of the top languages spoken on five major continents. Twenty-nine countries hold French as their official language. Even Canada, the US' northern neighbour, has Quebec - the province in the South-East where French is the primarily spoken language.
Over 300 million people speak French around the world, but this includes multiple dialects, depending on the area you are in. It's a language so mired in tradition and respect that it's the only one spoken in the European Union Court of Justice.
Because of the proximity to Canada, students in northern America are often offered French as their primary language of study. It's even easily accessible as early as middle and high school. Many provinces in the country speak a dialect of French as their mother tongue.
French and English are the only languages that are consistently offered at schools in every country. Because of this global accessibility, it often defaults to the chosen language in international industries.
Should you plan to work in a career that may take you globe-trotting, French is an excellent second language to have in your toolkit. It’s especially useful if your goals include a career in architecture, culinary arts, dance, fashion, or generalized art.
Best language to learn in Europe #3: Chinese/Mandarin
Just because China isn’t in Europe, doesn’t mean it isn’t valuable when speaking to Europeans!
Chinese probably isn't usually the first language students think of when deciding on a foreign language credit. But Chinese, particularly the Mandarin dialect, is a dominant language used by over one billion people in the world. Definitely worth considering when trying to decide which language to learn for Europe.
This is likely because China is the world’s most populated country, with almost 1.5 billion residents. Since the country is also one of the top leaders in industries like technology, oil, e-commerce, and construction, it’s considered one of the major world powers.
China’s dominant economic power role has continued to grow in recent decades. Industry leaders in America are always looking for employees who speak Chinese. They need people who can interact with business associates in potential transactions.
Being able to speak fluent Chinese is a useful skill to have in fields such as business, finance, and international relations. It is, and will most likely continue to be, very high on the list of best languages to learn in Europe.
Best language to learn in Europe #4: German
Another language overlooked by many students is German. Listening to native speakers might seem intimidating, but it’s actually pretty similar to English. Over 132 million people use it daily.
One reason English speakers find it easy to transition to German is that it has the same alphabet. Some of the words sound similar in both languages. Both languages belong to the same language group, after all.
German is the second most common language used in the field of science, so if that's your career of choice, this is a good foreign language to opt for. German is also frequently used in written communications, especially scientific journals.
Germany is a quiet economic power, but it actually has the largest economy in the European Union. The language has a long tradition in history and is well-respected around the world. It is, without a doubt, one of the best European languages to learn.
Best language to learn in Europe #5: Portuguese
Portuguese is one of the most common European languages used today. It is increasing in popularity as Brazil becomes an economic power. Because of this, the demand for people who can speak Portuguese is higher than ever. Now might be the best time for you to pick up Portuguese as the best European language to learn.
In perspective, Portuguese comes in at number six in the list of the top languages spoken around the world. But only one million of the 260 million people who use it are native speakers.
Brazil has crept slowly into the spotlight as a powerhouse in major sectors. These include agriculture, automotive industries, renewable energy solutions, fossil fuels, and healthcare. Learning this romance language will serve you well if you’re looking for a career in these industries.
Conclusion
From cultural understanding to incredible career prospects, learning a new language provides you with many rewarding professional and personal experiences. But learning with no practical application could be futile; thus, you must be practicing it until you become articulate in the language! So practice it in your student housing in London by journaling every day about how your day went or striking a conversation with your roommate who is learning the same language as you or is the native speaker of it!
You should make the choice of which foreign language to take strategically. If there’s one you’ve always had a passion for, and it can further your career, it’s a simple decision.
Otherwise, picking which European language to study in college comes down to how well it will serve you in your career.
Each language is beneficial in its own way, but which one will you use most?
This list of the top five European languages offered in colleges around the country can help you decide which one is for you. Once you’ve chosen yours, aim for full mastery and fluency — it will serve you well in the future!
Let us know which language you consider the best language to learn in Europe in the comments below!
About the author:
Karen Lein is the General Manager of Copper Beech Townhomes and Grove San Marcos. She is a Fresno State alumna and enjoys traveling and watching football. #GoDogs
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