Learning a foreign language may be essential for your study abroad. Depending on what course you want to study, which country you will study in.
You might have asked this; you might have already known the best language to learn for you. Knowing more than one language before traveling to school is not bad.
Learning a second language away from your mother tongue is not bad. The ability to adjust to a new language boosts your brain.
Education.com proves learning a new language has many critical factors for a student when deciding where to study abroad. 31% of students said learning a language was a top priority when deciding to study overseas. Some say learning a language is a leading reason for studying abroad.
So whatever your reason, note there are many Best languages to learn. However, in this article, we’ll show you the best language for students studying abroad, the tips for studying abroad where you don’t know their local language, and the best online programs to learn a foreign language.
Table of contents
What are the Best Languages to Learn for Students Studying Broad?
Learn English
If you wish to study English, you may be among the world’s significant language learners. It’s the most learned foreign language all over the globe.
According to survey data, about 23% of students prioritizing learning a foreign language chose to study in a country where English is the primary language.
English is the principal language of business communication and trade in 55 countries where it is an official language. English increases your chances of finding a job at an international company if you enjoy traveling and living overseas.
Learn Spanish
Do you speak English and wish to learn a new language? Spanish could be another good option for you to know. It is one of the easiest foreign languages for English speakers to understand. And it’s the second most widely spoken native language globally, with 400 million native speakers.
It’s also the official language of 20 different countries. If you want to travel around the world, the Spanish language can help you get there!
Swedish.
Even if Swedish may not be the most popular language for students to learn in school, Swedish is still regarded as a forward-thinking, open, and accepting society.
As a result, it is a popular and desirable country to live, study, and work in, and many visitors wish to learn Swedish once they arrive. Sweden has the most significant percentage of people who can speak at least one foreign language of any European Union country!
Learn Chinese
Mandarin Chinese is a popular language to study for business, tourism, and culture because it has the most significant number of native speakers in the world. Writing can be daunting, but the spoken structure is relatively straightforward.
Because the Chinese are rapidly increasing in social and commercial sectors, it’s an exceedingly important language for international commerce. If you have a business mind, learning Mandarin is an excellent option!
Learn French
French is another popular to study; aside from English, it is the only language taught in every country on the planet. French is known as a romantic language, but it is also a familiar and easy language for native English speakers.
Do you want to work with international relations? Consider French; it is the official work language of NATO, the UN, and more.
Read: 10 Free Online Language Courses with Certificates in 2024
Learn Germany
German requires courage and commitment; it has 44-letter terms and enough grammar rules to alarm the most skilled linguist.
However, there are numerous advantages to adding German to your verbal list: It is the official language of 7 nations and the most frequently spoken native language in the European Union.
Learning German could open numerous opportunities for you to live and work in European Union.
The tips for studying abroad where you don’t know their local language.
1. Learn the basics by using initiative
It’s simple to pick up a few basic phrases to help you get acquainted with the country you’ll be calling home for the next few years or months.
Some schools have free programs, so check with your school to see if the option is available. There are also a few free apps online or podcasts that can help you prepare for your school abroad.
Read: 10 Best Japanese Language Schools In Japan In 2024
2. Make friends with the native speaker.
Making friends with native speakers is the best approach to learning how to speak the language. You’ll not only make friends with people from all over the world, but you’ll also get a true sense of their local food and understand their navigational skills.
3. Download a language app or use a bilingual dictionary.
Getting around once you’re on the ground can be challenging. Not only are you unfamiliar with the language, but attempting to decipher a map, traffic lights, and schedules can add to the cultural shock.
Should you want to rely on technology, smartphone apps like iTranslate can help you communicate more successfully. Otherwise, go old school and bring a tiny, easy-to-carry dictionary.
4. Be adaptable and open-minded.
Studying in a country where you don’t speak your native language is a brave decision. Understanding that your decision to study abroad in a country where you don’t speak the language fluently may seem frightening, but embrace your decision and the community you’ll be staying in.
If you’re staying with a host family, express your feeling about learning and ask to practice. If you live in student housing, try to organize language exchanges with other students.
What are the best online programs to learn a foreign language?
1. Pimsleur
It uses mixed science and good planning to make a genuinely good audio system for learning the core of any offered language—and many offers.
This innovative system is based on Dr. Pimsleur’s research, which covered special functions of the brain, like anticipation and graduated recall.
These scientific principles help him develop a system that helps you sink a new language into your memory and review the correct vocabulary at the right time.
It focuses on the essential basic vocabulary and sentence structure that will quickly take you to the conversation level. Within 30 minutes, Pimsleur will help you build a foundation of the language inside your brain
2. FluentU
Have you been searching for the best program to learn a language online? Well, you’re not the only one. So many have been in there too.
FluentU transforms real-world videos into personalized language learning sessions, such as music videos, movie trailers, news, and motivational presentations.
FluentU not only puts an end to your days of continually scanning the web for new information, but it also provides you with a complete learning system in the form of solid tools like interactive captions and custom quizzes that make learning the language you find in the videos more accessible than ever.
Furthermore, the video database is continually updated, so you’ll always have something new to view. Because Fluent is based on real-world videos, you’ll be able to absorb and understand all kinds of cultural details you have learned.
3. Rocket language
It uses audio; you can listen and interact with it any time, and anywhere you want to.
Rocket Languages also includes cultural teachings in its packages, so you may learn the language’s functions and the culture of the people who speak it.
Additionally, Rocket Languages provides various motivational techniques to keep you from being discouraged and giving up—which might be a great addition to your accountability partner or language-learning friends.
Each language has three Premium levels, ranging from beginner to advanced.
4. Babble
It offers a variety of features,
This is an excellent technique for many people who don’t have a lot of free time but want to learn a language in their spare time. Babbel’s flexible methodology enables you to learn in 15-20 minutes throughout the day.
With this revolutionary software, you can use pictures, sounds, and words to construct powerful memory hooks that will help you remember new vocabulary and sentence structures longer than standard learning methods.
Babbel is known for its inventiveness, so you can sync your progress across devices and pick up where you left off on your phone or computer. That means you can use Babbel on your phone while commuting on the bus or your tablet when traveling.
5. Innovative language
They use audio and video to move your language learning further.
Their database is updated regularly with new lessons, and you may pick and choose what you want to learn about.
Genuine teachers and native speakers generate their content, and they start with the goal of learning practical, usable language skills.
Soon after you start exposing yourself to the website’s unique material, you’ll be having actual interactions.
One thing that sets Innovative Language apart is that they provide detailed progress reports that help you track your development and stay motivated.
6. Duolingo
Once you’ve reached a certain level, Duolingo can help you improve your language skills by providing articles in your target language that have never been translated into English. You’re genuinely translating the web while practicing your language comprehension by reading and translating these articles!
Duolingo began with only a few languages but has quickly expanded to include over 25 languages, including some made-up languages from famous TV shows!
Using this program, you can learn a new language from scratch or take a placement test and resume where you left off. The test is generally fairly accurate and allows you to skip an easy lesson.
Read: 20 Profitable Benefits of Learning A Second Language
7. Rosetta stone
This is a basic computer learning language program. And they offer online subscriptions in addition to software.
You’ll learn a language the same way a baby learns his or her first language: through pictures.
You will never be exposed to your native language during the program. Instead, you’ll learn new words by seeing them represented in pictures. Instead of translating everything from your original language, your brain can think in your target language.
Rosetta Stone has perfected their technique over time and added several crucial elements that enable them to take your language study to the next level.
For example, they use native literature to perfect your reading skills, voice recognition technology to perfect your accent, and audio lessons to assist you to master comprehension. They offer live tutors who allow you to converse with their native speakers.
Consider improving your language abilities before jetting out on a study abroad trip. There are entertaining ways to learn languages. Which language are you interested in?
Is learning languages difficult?
Learning languages can be challenging, but the difficulty level varies depending on a variety of factors, such as the learner’s age, previous language learning experience, motivation, and the complexity of the language they are trying to learn. Here are a few factors that can make language learning more or less complicated:
- Similarity to the learner’s native language: Languages similar to the learner’s native language in terms of grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation may be easier to learn. For example, a native English speaker may find it easier to learn French or Spanish than Mandarin or Arabic.
- The complexity of the language: Some languages are more complex than others, with more intricate grammar, a more extensive vocabulary, or a more complex writing system. These factors can make learning the language more difficult.
- Motivation: Learners who are highly motivated to learn a language are often more successful than those who are less motivated. Inspiration can come from various factors, such as personal interests, career goals, or cultural connections.
- Learning environment: Learners who have access to effective language instruction, opportunities to practice the language with native speakers, and resources such as books, videos, and language learning apps may find it easier to learn a language than those who don’t.
FAQs
The best online programs to learn a foreign language include:
Pimsleur
FluentU
Rocket language
bABBLE
Innovative Language
The best language to learn as an international student is the English Language.
One in every five people in the world speaks Chinese. It might take time, but Mandarin is the language of the future.
Conclusion
While learning a language can be challenging, it is also a rewarding and valuable experience. With dedication, motivation, and the right resources, anyone can learn a new language, even if it requires effort and persistence.
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