What Language Should I Learn? And Why It’s The Wrong Question

If you've ever found yourself asking “what language should I learn?”, you're not alone.

It's one of the most common questions in language learning circles, and on the surface, it seems perfectly reasonable.

After all, with hundreds of languages to choose from, surely some guidance would help?

But here's the thing: if you're asking what language to learn, you're asking the wrong question entirely.

This insight comes from a question I recently received from Vendel in Norway, who found himself in a linguistic pickle that many of us can relate to.

Want to watch the video version of this article? Hit play on the video at the top of the page. You can also listen to the podcast version below. Otherwise, here's what you'll discover in this post:

The Question That Started It All

Vendel is currently working on his Japanese, focusing on reading and learning kanji and hoping to take the JLPT Level 3 test. But his question wasn't about Japanese at all.

Two years ago, he applied for translation studies in France but needed to speak a third European language. Norwegian wasn't sufficient, so he bought a cheap German textbook and quickly realised he had no real reason to learn German.

Not to be discouraged, he wanted to add a fifth language to his repertoire (because five is a nice number, after all).

But as he looked at available courses for various languages, he came to a sobering realisation: he didn't really care about what any of these countries had to offer.

He'd learned Japanese to read manga and watch anime, and had already fulfilled all his needs in that area.

Sound familiar? Vendel's dilemma perfectly illustrates why asking “what language should I learn?” is a fundamentally flawed question.

Why Starting A Language Isn't The Hard Part

The truth is, you can start learning any language you want.

You can pick up books, download apps, enrol in courses and begin studying. That's the easy bit.

What's not easy is maintaining that commitment for the years it takes to reach fluency.

Anyone can begin learning a new language, but very few people have the staying power to see it through to the end.

The difference between those who succeed and those who abandon their language journey after a few months comes down to one crucial factor: genuine motivation.

The Two Types of Language Learners: Passion vs Discipline

I totally get Vendel's situation, by the way. I've learnt lots of languages myself, and my last three languages have been Asian languages – Japanese, Cantonese and Arabic.

The reason I chose these wasn't because they were “practical” or appeared on any “useful languages to learn” list. I simply hadn't felt any particular draw towards Europe or European languages.

That might change in the future, but I've learnt my most recent languages because I developed a genuine interest in one of those countries or cultures.

When it comes to choosing a language, there are essentially two types of people:

The Passion-Driven Learner

These learners need to feel a deep fascination with a language or culture before they can commit.

They require an emotional connection – whether it's a love for Italian opera, fascination with Korean pop culture, or a desire to read French literature in its original form.

Without this genuine interest, they simply can't maintain the motivation needed for long-term success.

This is me by the way.

The Discipline-Driven Learner

These individuals possess extraordinary self-discipline and can force themselves to learn a language for instrumental reasons – career advancement, academic requirements, or practical necessity.

They don't necessarily need to feel passionate about the language; they just need a clear, compelling reason to learn it.

Most people fall into the first category, and if you're asking “what language should I learn?”, you probably do too. Otherwise, you'd already know which language serves your practical needs.

Can You Manufacture Passion For Language Learning?

This brings us to a crucial question: can you create motivation where none exists? Can you make yourself passionate about a language you've chosen for practical reasons?

In my experience, manufactured passion has an expiry date. You might be able to sustain artificial enthusiasm for a few months, but eventually, you'll hit a brick wall.

Without genuine interest to carry you through the inevitable challenges and plateaus, you'll find yourself wondering, “What am I doing? Why am I learning this language?”

My Specific Advice For Vendel (And Anyone In His Position)

So what's my specific advice for Vendel? It comes down to this fundamental question: how badly do you want to do this translation studies programme?

If you want it badly enough, then perhaps you should just pick a European language – maybe Spanish – and force yourself to learn it.

But I suspect that's probably not the best approach for you, Vendel, because otherwise you wouldn't be asking this question in the first place.

Instead, I'd suggest doing some deep thinking. Look around you and consider which language you might be able to fall in love with later on. Ask yourself:

• Where are your friends from and what languages do they speak?
• What hobbies do you have? Do you love opera? If so, could Italian be a language you could fall in love with?
• What kind of films do you particularly enjoy? Do you love Latin American cinema? Perhaps Spanish might actually be something you could take up.
• Is there something you do that has a particular connection with a specific country?

You need to look for something to hook onto – something ideally related to your existing interests that will sustain you through the language learning journey.

Ultimately, Vendel, I can't make this decision for you. And I know it's not an easy one.

But for you, it's going to come down to whether you decide to learn another language that you're not particularly interested in for the sake of getting into that translation studies course, or whether you say:

“You know what, I've been interested in Korean for a long time, so I'm going to learn that because that's where my heart lies.”

I know what I would do – I'd follow my heart in every case. But ultimately, that decision is going to be down to you.

How To Choose A Language You'll Actually Stick With

Beyond the specific advice I gave Vendel, here are the key questions you should ask yourself when choosing a language:

Look at Your Existing Interests

• What hobbies do you have that might connect to a particular culture?
• Do you love Italian opera, Korean dramas, or Latin American cinema?
• Are there books, music, or art forms that draw you to specific languages?

Consider Your Social Connections

• Where are your friends from?
• What languages do people in your circle speak?
• Are there communities you'd like to connect with?

Examine Your Long-term Goals

• How badly do you want to achieve your practical goal (like Vendel's translation studies)?
• Is the instrumental motivation strong enough to sustain you through difficulties?
• Would you rather follow your heart to a language you're genuinely curious about?

What The Experts Say: Languages For The Future

While passion should be your primary guide, it's worth considering which languages might offer the most opportunities.

The British Council's “Languages for the Future” report provides fascinating insights into which languages will be most valuable for the UK's future (though these findings are relevant globally).

Their top 10 languages for the future, in reverse order, are:

• 10. Russian
• 9. Japanese
• 8. Portuguese
• 7. Dutch
• 6. Italian
• 5. German
• 4. Arabic
• 3. French
• 2. Mandarin Chinese
• 1. Spanish

This research adds an authoritative perspective to language choice, but even the most “useful” language won't help you if you can't maintain the motivation to learn it properly.

The Bottom Line: Follow Your Heart Or Your Goals

Ultimately, the decision comes down to this: will you choose a language for practical reasons and hope you can manufacture enough motivation to see it through, or will you follow your genuine interests and curiosity?

If you're still asking “what language should I learn?”, perhaps it's time to stop asking and start listening—to your interests, your goals, and most importantly, to yourself.

The right language for you isn't necessarily the most useful or popular one. It's the one that will keep you coming back day after day, year after year, until you've achieved the fluency you're after.

The question isn't what language should I learn – it's what language you can't help but want to learn. When you find that language, you'll know you've found your answer.

What Language Should I Learn? FAQ

Olly Richards

Creator of the StoryLearning® Method

Olly Richards is a renowned polyglot and language learning expert with over 15 years of experience teaching millions through his innovative StoryLearning® method. He is the creator of StoryLearning, one of the world's largest language learning blogs with 500,000+ monthly readers.

Olly has authored 30+ language learning books and courses, including the bestselling "Short Stories" series published by Teach Yourself.

When not developing new teaching methods, Richards practices what he preaches—he speaks 8 languages fluently and continues learning new ones through his own methodology.