Languages of the Future: Which Ones Are Worth Learning?

Throughout human history, languages have evolved and developed. The surge in popularity of certain languages has in turn seen the demise of others. From economic developments to defeats in war, languages are constantly affected by world events. From Native American languages replaced by European counterparts due to colonization to the downfall of Latin, these shifts in language are constantly taking place. But what about the languages of the future? What will become new and popular languages in the next 25 years? We have taken a look at 5 languages that are expected to see an influx in speakers across the world before 2050.

Languages of the Future

Mandarin

Second only to English, Mandarin is currently spoken by over 1.1 billion people worldwide and this number is expected to rise over the next 25 years.

Due to China’s influence and economic growth over recent years, a trend which is expected to continue well into the middle of the century, speaking Mandarin is becoming a sort after skill in the world of business. Businesses that can communicate in Mandarin hold a powerful card over competitors. It is now very common for specific industries to offer staff Mandarin lessons.

However, while Mandarin may not become widespread outside of a business setting, it is still set to be a powerful language of the future.

Spanish

Spanish is set to join Mandarin as one of the most spoken languages in the world by 2050. Already considered one of the top four languages in the world, there is now a large demand for products and services to be provided in Spanish. This increase in demand is linked to Spain’s economic growth and power within world markets.

As well as this, it is predicted that by 2050 the USA will class Spanish as a second official language. This means that Spanish will be a key language to learn when visiting or doing business with America.

Learning Spanish will open up travel to Spain, areas of South America, and the USA and help with several job opportunities.

English

English is considered to be the most widely spoken language in the world. This popularity of English is set to grow further over the next 25 years.

The popularity of English is directly linked to it being the world’s preferred language for business. English is also taught in many non-native countries from an early age. This means that nearly every country in the world uses English to some degree. With the world population growing and expected to reach 10 billion by 2050, the use of English will also increase.

Learning English to a high level is an important skill to have. This is particularly true for those looking to work in English-speaking countries. The popularity of IELTS and OET courses for this exact purpose has grown dramatically over recent years.

Hindi

Much like China, India has seen an increase in economic growth and world power over recent years. This growth is expected to continue well into the middle of the century and positions Hindi as an important language of the future. With many companies now outsourcing areas of their workforce to India, businesses are looking for Hindi speakers.

Hindi is also one of the most spoken languages in the world, primarily linked to the population of India. But its popularity is growing as people and businesses invest in learning this growing language to communicate with each other.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, tourism has also spiked across the world, and this includes India. Many young adults are seizing opportunities to travel the world and India is high on many people’s list. To this end, learning Hindi for travel has become more and more popular. Learning for pleasure is a great way to build up skills that can come into play within a career environment.

Arabic

The final inclusion on our list of Languages of the Future is Arabic. It is no surprise to see the popularity of Arabic has grown dramatically since the mid-20th century. The increase of economic power and influence from Arabic nations has seen the popularity of their language spread across Europe and the USA.

Many businesses have now started working with powerful groups and companies in the middle east and so Arabic as a skill has become more and more desirable. As well as this, countries such as UAE and Dubai have started attracting more and more Western tourists. While many people speak English fluently, learning Arabic is a surefire way to get the most out of a visit.

Learning Arabic can be difficult for English speakers, but as it is considered to be one of the languages of the future, it is worth it.

Learning the Languages of the Future

Getting ahead of the curve is important in all avenues of life, and learning a language is no different. Whether you are planning on learning a language to help aid career prospects or for recreation, Cactus is here to help. We offer courses in all 5 of these languages. Whether you are starting from scratch in Hindi or looking to top up on your GCSE Spanish, we have courses for all abilities.

Cactus offer courses in over 20 different languages available in a range of levels to suit your ability level. Our beginner courses are designed for those completely new to the language you choose, so you don’t have to have any language skills before you start. Not only can you study in one of our language centres, but you can also study at home! With weekly lessons, you can soon build up your skills to be able to converse in one of these countries.