- Some languages are harder to learn than others.
- For English speakers, it is especially difficult to learn languages like Japanese, Arabic, and Hungarian.
- That's because they contain very different grammar systems, sounds, and features than English.
Learning a new language can be a rewarding experience, but like any new skill, it takes a lot of hard work.
Naturally, some languages will take longer than others to learn. The Foreign Service Institute of the US Department of State classifies the world's most popular languages into five categories based on how long it takes for a typical English speaker to achieve proficiency.
We compiled a list of nine of the toughest major languages to learn according to the Foreign Service Institute standards. If you're going to tackle one of these, be prepared to invest at least 1,000 study hours, and in some cases, as many as 2,200, to become proficient.
These are nine of the hardest languages in the world to learn for English speakers: