If you already speak English and you’re thinking about picking up a second language, some languages will feel far easier than others. This guide explores which ones tend to be the easiest languages to learn for English speakers, why that is, what the best options are, what to watch out for, and how to choose the right language for you. Yak-approved.
Why Some Languages Are “Easier” For English Speakers
- Shared roots: English, Dutch, Norwegian and some Romance languages share vocabulary, grammar features or alphabet. Babbel+1
- Similar alphabets: Languages using the Latin alphabet (like English) skip the extra step of learning a new writing system. Unbabel+1
- Familiar sounds and structure: Grammar, word order or sounds closer to English make things simpler. Babbel
- Available resources & motivation: Easier access to materials, communities and media in those languages helps accelerate learning.
However — “easier” doesn’t mean “easy without effort”. You’ll still need consistent practice, time, and exposure.
What the Experts Say: Time Estimates
According to the Foreign Service Institute (FSI):
- “Category I” languages (closely related to English) take roughly 24–30 weeks (~600–750 hours) to reach professional working proficiency. Rosetta Stone
- Languages from more distant families take much longer.
So when we say “easiest”, we’re talking in relative terms.
Top Easiest Languages To Learn For English Speakers
Here are some of the best candidates — good if you want something reasonably manageable but still meaningful.
| Language | Why It’s Easier | Considerations |
| Norwegian | Germanic like English, similar vocabulary & simple grammar. Babbel+1 | Fewer speakers than Spanish or French; resources may be slightly fewer. |
| Dutch | Very close to English vocabulary; same alphabet; grammar relatively simple. Go Overseas+1 | Some pronunciation challenges; “Dutch” has regional variations. |
| Spanish | Huge number of speakers; phonetic pronunciation; many shared Latin-derived words. Babbel+1 | Verb tenses and subjunctive mood can be tricky. |
| Portuguese | Romance family; shares many cognates with English; useful globally. Babbel | Differences between European & Brazilian varieties; pronunciation has challenges. |
| Italian | Latin-based; pronunciation is clear; many English speakers find it fun and accessible. Babbel | Not as large global reach as Spanish. |
| Swedish | Germanic, many cognates, simple verb forms. Babbel | Fewer global opportunities compared to bigger languages. |
| Afrikaans | Very close to English; very simple grammar; straightforward learning path. Unbabel+1 | Limited number of speakers worldwide. |
How To Choose Which Language to Learn
Here are questions and criteria to help you pick the language that fits your goals and lifestyle:
- What do you want to do with the language? Travel, work, relationships, culture?
- How many speakers / where is it spoken? Will you use it?
- Are you already exposed to it (media, friends, environment)? Familiarity helps.
- How accessible are learning materials and communities?
- Do you enjoy the culture and sound of the language? Motivation matters a lot.
- Consider commitment level: Even “easy” languages require time.
Tips To Learn Faster — Especially For “Easier” Languages
- Use it daily: short sessions beat long occasional bursts.
- Focus on active use: speaking, writing, listening.
- Use cognates (words similar to English) to build your vocabulary quickly.
- Don’t neglect the tricky parts: even easy languages have exceptions.
- Immerse: music, podcasts, videos, conversation with natives.
- Set realistic goals: even 15 minutes a day adds up.
Why “Easiest” Doesn’t Mean “Perfectly Easy”
- Even languages labelled “easy” can have tricky pronunciation, idioms, culture.
- English influence might create false friends (similar words that mean different things).
- Motivation and exposure vary—what’s easy for one person may be harder for another.
- Learning environment, routine, context matter a lot more than “which language”.
As one Redditor put it:
“The easiest language is whichever one you are the most motivated to learn.” Reddit
Common Mistakes When Choosing or Learning
- Choosing based only on “easiest” label rather than personal interest.
- Underestimating daily practice: thinking “easy” means little work.
- Ignoring speaking/listening practice: solely reading books or apps isn’t sufficient.
- Comparing yourself unfairly: everyone’s pace is different.
Summary
If you speak English and want a language that gives you good progress relatively quickly, go for one of the Romance or Germanic languages like Spanish, Dutch, Italian, Norwegian or Portuguese. They share many similarities with English and are well-supported by resources. But remember: whatever you choose, your motivation, practice and exposure make all the difference.
Yak’s Final Chewables
Yes, there are “easiest languages to learn for English speakers” — but only in a relative sense. What matters far more is your interest, your consistency, your practice. Pick a language you want to speak, spend time every day, make it part of your life, and you’ll bring it to life. Even this yak considers Norwegian or Dutch a comfortable next language — if you’re ready, why not?