What Are the Most Useful Languages to Learn?
The world has gotten smaller since the dawn of air travel. It would not be difficult to find someone who speaks a language different from your own. Since business is done around the world and more people are traveling, it might be wise to consider learning a second language. The most useful languages to learn are listed by business dynamics and population growth, according to "Top Languages: The World's 10 Most Influential Languages," an article by George Weber in the December 1997 edition (Vol. 2) of Language Today.
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Mandarin
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China is becoming the second largest economy in the world, based on purchasing power. And there are 880 million speakers of Mandarin, or 20 percent of the world's population. As more countries do business with China, and more people travel to China, Mandarin is becoming a useful language to learn.
English
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English is the most widely used language of business, commerce and the Internet. And is the primary secondary language learned in most countries. English is still the most useful language to learn.
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Spanish
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There are approximately 350 million natural speakers of Spanish in the world. And it's becoming the secondary language spoken in the United States. It is also the language of trade and commerce in 20 countries. It is a useful language to learn, especially in the United States.
French
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French is the working language of the United Nations and is a secondary language in Europe and North Africa. It is therefore a useful language to learn.
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References
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