The Hardest Languages to Learn

What is the hardest language for you to learn?

Author

Alex Milner
January 22, 2025

Learning a new language is always an exciting challenge, but for English speakers, some languages pose greater obstacles than others. These languages require dedication and perseverance, from unfamiliar writing systems and complex grammatical structures to unique pronunciation rules.

Improving your ability with a difficult language improves your cognitive abilities, deepens your understanding of diverse cultures, and opens doors to unique career opportunities. In this email, we’ll explore the hardest languages for English speakers to learn and why they’re worth the effort.

Featured Article

Revealing The 7 Hardest Languages For English Speakers

Explore the complexities of mastering a new language as an English speaker, delving into key aspects such as:

  • Unfamiliar Writing Systems: Overcoming the hurdles of non-Latin alphabets like Mandarin’s logograms or Arabic’s right-to-left script.

  • Complex Grammar Rules: Navigating intricate case systems and verb conjugations in languages such as Hungarian and Polish.

  • Cultural Differences: Grasping social hierarchies and formal speech in Korean or the nuances of diverse Arabic dialects.

The Hardest Languages for English Speakers
Languages such as Mandarin, Arabic, Hungarian, Korean, and Polish present unique challenges but offer immense cognitive, cultural, and professional rewards. From Mandarin’s tonal nature and thousands of characters to Arabic’s diverse dialects and vowel omission, each language offers a rich linguistic and cultural experience.

Benefits of Learning Difficult Languages

  • Cognitive Growth: Enhanced memory, problem-solving skills, and mental flexibility.

  • Cultural Enrichment: Access to diverse traditions, literature, and art in their original forms.

  • Career Opportunities: A competitive edge in global industries such as business, diplomacy, and translation.

Discover how mastering these languages can transform your perspective and unlock new horizons.

Language Learning Spotlight

Reddit’s Top Picks: The Best Books for Learning New Languages

Learning a new language through language-learning books can be an exciting yet challenging journey, and one of the most enriching ways to enhance your linguistic skills is through literature. Reddit users have curated a list of exceptional books that are powerful tools for language learners at various stages. 

News & Updates

  • Does Climate Affect Language: Discover how climate change can affect language and linguistics over time. This can include desiccation and tone and how this integrates into society over time.

Language evolution and climate: the case of desiccation and tone

Look at how the climate affects language evolution and linguistics

academic.oup.com/jole/article/1/1/33/2281884

  • Pandemic & Languages: The COVID-19 outbreak has not been an exception. Since day one, we have seen newly coined words used across social media, memes, and even mainstream media.

How the COVID-19 pandemic changed language – LanguageWire

From idiolect to neologism – Here’s how the coronavirus outbreak has brought rise to new words and phrases which spread almost as fast as the virus.

languagewire.com/en/blog/how-the-covid-19-pandemic-changed-language

Did You Know?

With over 1.1 billion native speakers, Mandarin Chinese is the most widely spoken language globally. This dominance is largely due to the massive population of China, where Mandarin is the official language.

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Understanding linguistics isn’t just for researchers—it’s a gateway to appreciating the diversity of human experiences. Dive deeper and see how language shapes thinking, living, and connecting.