Why Learn Foreign Language for Indian Students?
There are numerous reasons why students should consider learning a foreign language before studying abroad. These reasons are as follows:
- Learning a new language broadens points of view and gives a certain perspective to students because brain power increases.
- Cognition improves once students learn a foreign language. This in turn helps students in honing their problem-solving skills.
- It allows students to experience new cultures and traditions associated with that language.
- Foreign language skills enable easier mobility, travel and communication in foreign countries.
- Many top universities and colleges give a benefit to students who possess foreign language proficiency.
- Learning a foreign language provides a competitive advantage over monolingual candidates in the job market.
- Foreign languages open up opportunities for students to study or work abroad. The best foreign language for jobs abroad are – French, Arabic, German, Spanish, English and others.
Apart from these, students can learn foreign languages based on
Top 10 Best Foreign Languages to Learn in 2024
The top 10 best foreign languages to learn should be sorted based on difficulty, total speakers and where the languages are taught. Best foreign language to learn in India are as follows:
- Mandarin
- Spanish
- Portuguese
- Japanese
- Russian
- Arabic
- French
- German
- Korean
- Italian
These languages are the most widely spoken ones in the world. Students can learn them based on their difficulty level set by FSI which categories these languages. Students can opt to learn any of these foreign languages based on their interests and the countries where they are spoken. To understand the culture of the country better, students can begin by learning the official language of the country they wish to study in.
Best Foreign Languages to Learn in India
Do you want to learn foreign language and broaden your horizons? You can take up any foreign language given below and start learning. Check out the foreign languages and their details below, please note the average time of learning is based on the FSI – Difficult Languages List.
1. Mandarin
A Sino-Tibetan foreign language, Mandarin is the most widely spoken form of Chinese in China and the world based on Britannica. Mandarin is the second most spoken language in the world with 1.140 billion native speakers. It is China and Taiwan’s official language and one of Singapore’s too. Mandarin is a tonal language. There are four major tones and one neutral tone or the fifth tone. Mandarin is one of the hardest languages to learn Since China is a rapidly growing country for business, technology and innovation, students can learn Mandarin to join its workforce after graduating from Chinese universities.
Average Time to Learn Mandarin: 88 weeks
Top Universities to Learn Mandarin: 52 Indian universities offer Mandarin courses to students. Some of them are as follows:
2. Spanish
Spanish is the second most popular and widely spoken foreign language globally. With 486 million native speakers and 559 million speakers worldwide, Spanish should be on your list of foreign language learning. Spoken across 21 major countries in America and Europe, Spanish speakers’ worldview expands with its reach globally. Spanish language learning can benefit students who wish to settle in Spanish-speaking countries. Or also for those who have a love for the language and culture. Spanish is one of the easiest foreign languages to learn globally based on FSI – Difficult Languages. Thus, it’s an added advantage for English speakers who want to study in Spain.
Average Time to Learn Spanish: 24 weeks
Top Universities to Learn Spanish: Top Indian Universities for Spanish are as follows:
- Jawaharlal Nehru University
- Delhi University (DU)
- Amity University, Noida
3. Portuguese
Another Indo-European Romance language on the list is Portuguese. With 236 million native speakers and 250 million speakers globally, Portuguese is also one of the easiest foreign languages to learn for Indian students based on FSI – Difficult Languages. Portuguese is widely spoken in Brazil and Portugal, but differently as they vary. One variant is, the Brazilian Portuguese and the other is Portugal’s Portuguese. Portuguese is a close cousin of Spanish, evolving from the same language family.
Average Time to Learn Portuguese: 24 weeks
Top Universities to Learn Portuguese: Only JNU offers a certificate degree program for Portuguese.
4. Japanese
Japanese is the official language of Japan and is the only Asian language which has no specific language origins. A native language of over 120 million, Japanese involves three writing systems: Hiragana (basic sounds), Katakana (foreign words), and Kanji (adopted Chinese characters). International students who want to study in Japan can begin learning Hiragana so that they understand basic Japanese words. Initially learning Japanese can be tricky but it’ll get easier eventually. Japan is the world’s third-largest economy and those who wish to be a part of it must learn the Japanese language.
Average Time to Learn Japanese: 88 weeks
Top Universities to Learn Japanese: Some of the popular Japanese colleges in India include:
- Goa University
- Delhi University
- Bengaluru City University
5. Russian
Russian is the world’s 8th most spoken foreign language as per Forbes. At present, there are 116.83 million native speakers and overall there are 265 million Russian speakers in the world. Russian is not just the official language of Russia but also of Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. Russia is also the world’s second-biggest economy, thus students who wish to take up a job in Russia after they graduate from Russian universities can learn the language. Russian is one of the toughest languages in the world for Indian students, including English speakers. Since Russian is one of the official languages of the United Nations (UN) among five others, Indian students should try learning it.
Average Time to Learn Russian: 44 weeks
Top Universities to Learn Russian: Students can learn Russian across these universities in India:
- Delhi University
- Jamia Milia Islamia
- JNU
- School of Foreign Languages, Russian Language
6. Arabic
Arabic is a Semitic language and traces its roots back to 1500. Written and read from right to left, is what makes Arabic unique. With more than 300 million Arabic speakers globally, Arabic is the language of the Middle East. The holy Quran is written in classical Arabic and was also used for poetry in ancient times. Arabic is the official language of 22 countries and is also one of the six official languages of the UN. Learning Arabic can open doors for a student in literature, poetry and business. With a turnover of USD 3.4 trillion the countries in the Arab hold a significant position. Those who enjoy reading literature and poetry or even couplets, can learn Arabic. Also, students who wish to work in any of the 22 Arabic countries must learn the language.
Average Time to Learn Arabic: 88 weeks
Top Universities to Learn Arabic: Some of the popular universities to learn Arabic are as follows:
- Jamia Milia Islamia
- Delhi University
- JNU
7. French
Spoken by over 200 million people in the world, the Romance language French is the most popular one. French is the official language of around 24 countries in Europe and North America. Learning French is easy for Indian students, but French word pronunciation can be tricky sometimes. Proficiency in French opens doors to international business opportunities, particularly in Europe, Africa, and Canada. Industries like luxury goods, diplomacy, and tourism highly value French speakers. Thus, being literate in French can be an added advantage for students.
Average Time to Learn French: 24 weeks
Top Universities to Learn French: Some of the popular Indian colleges offering French courses are as follows:
- Delhi University
- JNU
- IGNOU
- Calcutta University
- BHU
You can begin learning French words with the help of this guide – 150+ Basic French Words for Students.
8. German
German is the next language that students must learn on the list. Spoken by 100 million people globally, German is also one of the Romance languages. One of the difficult languages of the Romance language family is German. Students interested in studying in Germany should learn German before they study at German universities. Students can find their dream jobs with German proficiency in engineering, science, finance, and international relations, particularly within German and European companies.
Average Time to Learn German: 30 weeks
Top Universities to Learn German: The following are some of the top Indian colleges for German:
- JNU
- Delhi University
- Visva Bharati University
- University of Mumbai [MU]
Apart from these universities, German language courses are also offered at Max Mueller Bhavan in different Indian states.
Check: German Words for Your German Studies
9. Korean
Are you interested in K-Dramas and want to watch them in Korean? Then you should learn the Korean language. Students who wish to study in South Korea and also want to settle there should consider learning the Korean language. Learning Korean will allow students to engage with this vibrant culture, understanding the song lyrics, plotlines of dramas, and humour without relying on translations. Korean proficiency also stands tall from a business perspective. It is doing very well in technology, manufacturing, and e-commerce. So students who want to be a part of any of these industries can go ahead and learn Korean.
Average Time to Learn Korean: 88 weeks
Top Universities to Learn Korean: Some of the institutions which offer courses in Korean language for students are as follows:
- Korean Cultural Center
- (DU) Colleges (SGTB Khalsa College, St. Stephen’s College, Daulat Ram College, Shyam Lal, Ramjas College)
- The English and Foreign Languages University (EFLU)
- Korean Language Institute, Pune
- Chennai Korean Language Institute
10. Italian
Italian is one of the easiest languages to learn in the world. Students who are interested in studying brands, business and management can study in Italy. Though universities in Italy offer courses in English, but some universities also offer additional courses for students to learn Italian. Learning Italian words can be challenging initially but as and when the student will progress they will get the hang of it. Students interested in luxury, branding, fashion and even automobile industries can learn Italian and be a part of the companies headquartered in Italy.
Average Time to Learn Italian: 24 weeks
Top Universities to Learn Italian: Some of the popular universities in India to learn Italian are:
- Delhi University
- JNU
Check out: 100+ Basic Italian Words for Students