20 Easiest Languages for English Speakers to Learn (And Why Norwegian Tops the List)

Learning a new language can unlock a world of opportunities - whether you want to travel, connect with new cultures, boost your career, or simply challenge yourself. But with thousands of languages to choose from, which ones are actually easiest for English speakers to learn?

The answer depends on several factors, including linguistic similarity, writing system, pronunciation, and resource availability. In this guide, we’ll break down the 20 easiest languages for English speakers, explain what makes them accessible, and help you pick the best one for your goals.

Table of Contents

What Makes a Language Easy for English Speakers?

Not all languages are equally challenging. According to the U.S. Foreign Service Institute (FSI), some languages can be learned to professional proficiency in as little as 24 weeks (600 hours), while others may take years. Here’s what makes a language “easy” for English speakers:

  • Linguistic Similarity: Languages related to English (Germanic or Romance) share vocabulary, grammar, and sentence structure, making them more intuitive.
  • Familiar Alphabet & Pronunciation: Languages that use the Latin alphabet and have phonetic spelling are easier to read and pronounce.
  • Resource Availability: The more learning materials, courses, and native speakers you can access, the faster you’ll progress.
  • Cultural Exposure: Languages you encounter in media, travel, or your community are easier to practice and reinforce.

The 20 Easiest Languages for English Speakers

1. Norwegian

FSI Estimate: 24 weeks (600 hours)
Norwegian tops the list due to its close relationship with English, straightforward grammar (one verb form per tense), and familiar word order. Pronunciation is flexible, and exposure to Norwegian culture makes it a rewarding choice.

2. Swedish

FSI Estimate: 24 weeks (600 hours)
Swedish is another Germanic language with many cognates and simple grammar. Its logical structure and minimal verb conjugation make it easy to start building sentences.

3. Spanish

FSI Estimate: 24 weeks (600 hours)
Spanish is practical, widely spoken, and highly phonetic. Its global presence means abundant resources and opportunities to practice.

4. Dutch

FSI Estimate: 24 weeks (600 hours)
Dutch feels like a blend of English and German, with many familiar words and manageable grammar. It’s spoken in the Netherlands, Belgium, and several overseas territories.

5. Portuguese

FSI Estimate: 24 weeks (600 hours)
Portuguese, especially Brazilian Portuguese, is accessible due to its Latin roots and global reach. Be mindful of differences between European and Brazilian varieties.

6. Italian

FSI Estimate: 24 weeks (600 hours)
Italian’s Latin roots mean lots of recognizable words. Its musical pronunciation and regular spelling rules make it fun and approachable.

7. French

FSI Estimate: 30 weeks (750 hours)
French shares thousands of words with English. While pronunciation and grammar can be tricky, its global influence and media presence make it easier to learn.

8. Romanian

FSI Estimate: 24 weeks (600 hours)
Romanian is a Romance language with many similarities to Italian, Spanish, and French. Its phonetic spelling and familiar vocabulary make it surprisingly accessible.

9. Danish

FSI Estimate: 24 weeks (600 hours)
Danish is a Germanic language with straightforward grammar and many familiar words. Pronunciation can be challenging, but immersion in Danish culture is rewarding.

10. German

FSI Estimate: 36 weeks (900 hours)
German shares a common alphabet, sentence structure, and much vocabulary with English. While compound words and pronunciation can be tough, it’s a valuable language for travel and business in Europe.

11. Indonesian

FSI Estimate: 36 weeks (900 hours)
Indonesian stands out for its use of the Latin alphabet, phonetic spelling, and simple grammar—no verb conjugations or grammatical gender.

12. Malay

FSI Estimate: 36 weeks (900 hours)
Malay is closely related to Indonesian and is spoken throughout Southeast Asia. Its simple grammar and pronunciation make it one of the easiest Asian languages for English speakers.

13. Swahili

FSI Estimate: 24 weeks (600 hours)
Swahili is the most accessible African language for English speakers. It’s phonetic, logical, and borrows many English words, making it a great choice for those interested in East Africa.

14. Filipino (Tagalog)

FSI Estimate: 36 weeks (900 hours)
Filipino Tagalog is straightforward to pronounce and borrows much vocabulary from English and Spanish. Its unique sentence structure is a challenge, but it’s practical for travel and work in the Philippines.

15. Afrikaans

FSI Estimate: 24 weeks (600 hours)
Afrikaans is packed with familiar words and straightforward grammar, drawing heavily from Dutch. Its logical syntax and phonetic spelling make it easy to pick up and use.

16. Frisian

FSI Estimate: 24 weeks (600 hours)
Frisian is the closest living language to English, sharing much vocabulary and structure. However, it’s spoken by a small population in the Netherlands and Germany, so resources are limited.

17. Swahili

FSI Estimate: 24 weeks (600 hours)
Swahili is the most accessible African language for English speakers. It’s phonetic, logical, and borrows many English words, making it a great choice for those interested in East Africa.

18. Hungarian

FSI Estimate: 44 weeks (1100 hours)
Hungarian is a Uralic language with a logical structure and phonetic spelling. While it’s not related to English, its regular grammar and lack of gender make it easier than many other non-Indo-European languages.

19. Turkish

FSI Estimate: 44 weeks (1100 hours)
Turkish uses the Latin alphabet and has regular, agglutinative grammar. Its pronunciation is straightforward, and it’s spoken by over 80 million people worldwide.

20. Cebuano

FSI Estimate: 36 weeks (900 hours)
Cebuano is an Austronesian language spoken in the Philippines. It uses the Latin alphabet, has simple grammar, and is phonetic, making it accessible for English speakers.

Honorable Mention: Esperanto

Esperanto is a constructed language designed to be easy for everyone, especially speakers of European languages. Its grammar is completely regular, vocabulary is drawn from familiar sources, and pronunciation is phonetic. While not widely spoken natively, Esperanto has a vibrant global community of enthusiasts, linguists, and language nerds. If you’re interested in language creation, international friendship, or want a fun linguistic challenge, Esperanto is a fascinating option.

Coming Soon: The Ultimate Language Learning App for English Speakers

We're excited to announce that our brand new language learning app is launching soon! Designed specifically for English speakers, this app combines the latest research in language acquisition with engaging, interactive features to help you master your target language faster and more enjoyably.

Key features include:

  • Import your own texts and learn from real content you love
  • Highlight unknown words and track your progress as they become known
  • Choose which words to learn and review, focusing on what matters to you
  • Real-world reading exercises for both extensive and intensive learning
  • Methods grounded in the latest language acquisition research, including comprehensible input
  • Progress tracking and motivational streaks

Whether you're a complete beginner or looking to brush up on your skills, our app will make your language journey smoother, smarter, and more fun. Stay tuned for the official launch - and be among the first to try it by joining our newsletter for exclusive updates and early access!

How to Choose the Right Language for You

  • Consider Your Motivation: Are you learning for travel, work, culture, or personal growth?
  • Think About Exposure: Languages you hear often in your community or media are easier to practice.
  • Start with Familiarity: If you want fast progress, pick a language closely related to English.
  • Look at Practicality: Consider the number of speakers, countries where it’s spoken, and your own interests.

Conclusion: Start Your Language Journey

Choosing an "easy" language can help you build confidence and momentum. Whether you want to connect with new cultures, travel, or simply challenge yourself, these 20 languages offer a smooth entry point for English speakers. Ready to get started? Pick one from the list and take your first step today!