What Is the Easiest Language to Learn for English Speakers

"What's the easiest language to learn?" depends on your native language. For English speakers, some languages share more common ground. Here's the honest breakdown.

Easiest Languages for English Speakers

Category 1: Germanic Languages

• Dutch — Closest to English, similar grammar and vocabulary
• German — More complex grammar, but many cognates
• Norwegian/Swedish/Danish — Relatively simple grammar, some familiar words

Category 2: Romance Languages

• Spanish — Regular pronunciation, familiar vocabulary, widely spoken
• Italian — Similar to Spanish, beautiful and accessible
• French — More irregular, but lots of English loanwords
• Portuguese — Similar to Spanish, growing global importance

Why These Are "Easier"

Shared Vocabulary (Cognates)

English has tons of Latin and Romance language roots. Words like "perfect," "important," and "nation" appear in similar forms.

Similar Grammar Structures

Many European languages share basic sentence structures with English, making patterns more recognizable.

Phonetic Consistency

Languages like Spanish are mostly phonetic—you see it, you say it (mostly). This reduces guessing.

The Reality Check

"Easiest" doesn't mean "easy." Any language takes:

• Consistent practice
• Time investment
• Real conversation practice
• Months to years of effort

What Actually Makes Learning Easier

Method > Language Choice

• Daily conversation practice beats any app
• Comprehensible input accelerates progress
• Immediate feedback corrects mistakes fast
• Consistency compounds results

Interest Matters More Than "Easy"

You'll learn faster in a language you're passionate about. Motivation beats "easy" every time.

The Honest Answer

For English speakers, Spanish is often considered easiest because:

• Regular pronunciation rules
• Familiar vocabulary
• Similar sentence structure
• Tons of resources and speakers

But honestly? Pick the language that excites you. Interest makes any language easier to learn.

Start Learning Today

The easiest language is the one you'll practice daily. Find something that fits your routine, gives you instant feedback, and keeps you engaged. Try Parlai and start practicing conversation in the language you choose.