There is no definitive answer to this question as it depends on the person’s language learning goals and preferences. However, some languages that may be harder for non-English speakers include Spanish, French, German, and Italian.
Hardest Languages to Learn for Non English Speakers
Learning a language can be very rewarding, but it does take a lot of time and effort. And the more time you spend learning a language, the less you can use it in your everyday life. However, if you are an English speaker and have never studied another language before, then these hard languages to learn for non-English speakers may surprise you.
Is the English language the Hardest Language to Learn For Non-English Speakers?
The short answer is: it depends on the learner’s native tongue. The native language is often taught and polished at a young age. In this phase, children learn how to translate and decode their ideas to sounds used to communicate.
After learning the native tongue, a person would use it as a general reference for learning the following languages in the future.
1. Dutch
Although languages like Scots and Frisian are nearest to English, Dutch has a bigger speaking population. This makes it a good choice for learners who want to learn a more challenging language.
Dutch speakers usually describe the language as a combination of English and German. But when it comes to word order, the language leans more towards the German influence. It uses the subject-object-verb (SOV) instead of the subject-verb-object (SVO).
2. German
German is one of the hardest languages to learn for non-native English speakers. This is because it shares many similarities with English, but also has unique grammar and vocabulary that makes learning difficult.
This language is beneficial to learn, as long as you don’t mind the grind (it is equally difficult for both English and non-English speakers).
3. French
French is one of the hardest languages to learn for non-native English speakers because it has a very different alphabet and grammar from English. This can make it difficult to understand written material, particularly if you don’t have prior experience with French.
Native speakers of Sino-Tibetan languages (e.g., Chinese, Burmese, and Tibetan) might have an easier time learning French.
This is because the French /u/ sound does exist in Chinese, unlike its English counterpart. Still, expect to get frustrated by nasal vowels that the French language is known for.
4. Italian
Italian is a difficult language to learn for non-native English speakers because it has complex grammar and many dialects. This can make it hard to understand spoken Italian, even if you are familiar with the alphabet.
Unlike its French and German cousins, Italian is not a very popular language for foreign learners. In Business, other languages such as Japanese, German, and French are commonly used.
What makes the wording stand out is its purely aesthetic appeal. Italian is one of the most famous Romantic language families because it sounds good.
5. Portuguese
Portuguese is a difficult language to learn for non-native English speakers because it has different sounds and grammar than English. This can make it hard to understand written Portuguese material, even if you are familiar with the alphabet.
However, the speaking population is larger than in other languages on this list, making it a good choice for learners who want to learn a more challenging language.
As of 2020, Portuguese is the official language of Portugal, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Brazil, Angola, Sao tome, Principe, and Mozambique.
As another Romance language on the list, word-sharing with English and other Indo-European languages are very common.
6. Spanish
Spanish is one of the most common languages spoken in the world and is also a difficult language to learn for non-native English speakers. This is because it has a similar alphabet and grammar to English, but has different pronunciation and vocabulary.
Even so, Spanish would be a pain in the neck if you don’t pay attention to the three moods of verbal tenses. Verb tense is the most dreaded area of Spanish learning.
7. Swedish
Swedish is a difficult language to learn for non-native English speakers because it has a similar alphabet and grammar to English, but has different pronunciation and vocabulary. This can make it hard to understand written material, even if you are familiar with the alphabet.
The best thing about the North Germanic group (aka the Scandinavian languages) is the interchangeability among the languages. Once you know one language (Swedish, Danish, or Norwegian), you can understand the other two to some degree.
8. Romanian
Romanian is a difficult language to learn for non-native English speakers because it has a different alphabet and grammar than English. This can make it hard to understand written Romanian material, even if you are familiar with the alphabet.
However, the spoken population is smaller than other languages in this list, making it a less popular choice for learners who want to learn a more challenging language.
Romanian is a member of the Balkan Romance language. This language is positioned in a further location from English and other West Germanic members of the language tree.
9. Japanese
Japanese is a difficult language to learn for non-native English speakers because it has a different alphabet and grammar than English. This can make it hard to understand written Japanese material, even if you are familiar with the alphabet.
However, the spoken population is smaller than other languages in this list, making it a less popular choice for learners who want to learn a more challenging language.
The Japanese language is universally considered one of the hardest languages to learn.
So, Enjoy your language journey, and don’t forget to continue learning.
Dutch, German, French, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish, Romanian, Japanese, Arabic, and Mandarin.
It’s hard for non-native speakers to learn English because of its complexity. English has a complicated spelling system that might be tricky for non-speakers.
FAQ
What is the hardest language to learn if you don’t speak English?
If you don’t speak English, the hardest language to learn would be Spanish. Spanish is a Romance language that is spoken in many parts of the world. It is also one of the most difficult languages to learn because it has many sounds and grammar rules that are different from English.
What are the easiest languages to learn for non-English speakers?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the easiest languages to learn will vary depending on your level of fluency in a foreign language and your goals for learning that language. However, some of the most commonly recommended languages for non-English speakers include Spanish, French, Italian, German, Dutch, Portuguese, Russian, and Japanese.
Is it possible to become fluent in a hard language if you’re not a native speaker of that particular country’s spoken language?
Yes, it is possible to become fluent in a hard language if you’re not a native speaker of that particular country’s spoken language. There are many resources available online that can help you learn the language faster and more effectively.