How to Choose Your First Foreign Language
ยท 5 min read
Not sure which language to learn first? Here's a practical guide covering language distance, motivation, and the resources available to help you decide.
The Biggest Decision (That Doesn't Need to Be Perfect)
Picking your first foreign language can feel overwhelming. There are thousands of languages out there, and the internet is full of conflicting advice. The good news: there's no wrong answer. But there are smarter ways to think about it.
Start With Your "Why"
The single most important factor is motivation. Ask yourself:
- Travel: Do you have a country you dream of visiting or living in?
- People: Do you have friends, family, or a partner who speak another language?
- Career: Would a specific language open doors in your field?
- Culture: Are you drawn to a particular literature, music, or film tradition?
- Curiosity: Does a language simply fascinate you?
A language you're genuinely excited about will always beat the "most useful" language on a list. Motivation is what gets you through the difficult middle months.
Understand Language Distance
Not all languages are equally difficult for every learner. The concept of "language distance" measures how different a language is from your native one.
For English speakers, the U.S. Foreign Service Institute groups languages into rough categories:
- Closest (600-750 hours): Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, Dutch, Norwegian, Swedish, Danish, Romanian
- Moderate (900-1,100 hours): German, Indonesian, Malay, Swahili
- Harder (1,100+ hours): Russian, Greek, Hindi, Turkish, Polish, Czech, Finnish, Hungarian
- Hardest (2,200+ hours): Mandarin, Japanese, Korean, Arabic
These numbers assume classroom instruction. With consistent comprehensible input, your mileage may vary, but the relative difficulty holds true.
Consider Available Resources
Some languages have an abundance of learning materials, native content, and communities. Others have very little. Before committing, check:
- Can you find texts, podcasts, and videos at your level? This matters more than you think.
- Are there native speakers you can interact with? Online communities count.
- Does the language have a standard written form? Some languages are primarily oral, which changes how you learn.
Popular languages like Spanish, French, and Japanese have massive ecosystems. Smaller languages like Basque, Breton, or Lao have fewer resources but a passionate community.
The "Stepping Stone" Strategy
Learning a first language teaches you how to learn languages. Many polyglots recommend starting with a closer language to build confidence and transferable skills.
For example:
- Learning Spanish first makes Portuguese and Italian much easier later
- Learning French first opens doors to other Romance languages
- Learning Norwegian first gives you a head start on Swedish and Danish
Your first language doesn't have to be your last.
Don't Overthink It
Here's the honest truth: the best language to learn is the one you'll actually stick with. Analysis paralysis is the real enemy. Pick one that excites you, start reading at your level, and give it a genuine try for 30 days.
If it doesn't click, you can always switch. The learning skills you build transfer to any language. Nothing is wasted.
Ready to Start?
Once you've picked your language, the next step is simple: start reading. PlusOneLanguage supports 42 languages, so whatever you choose, there's a good chance we've got you covered.