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Best language for moving abroad

Best languages to learn before moving abroad

Living somewhere is different from visiting it. The language you learn decides whether you make friends, handle paperwork and feel at home, so choose the country first and then the language.

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Updated · by the 4ToSpeak team

How we ranked them

We ranked by how popular each destination is for English-speaking movers and how far English alone gets you in daily life there.

The 8 best languages, ranked

  1. 1. Spanish

    Closest to English · about 700 hours

    Spain, Mexico, Colombia, Costa Rica and more. English helps in tourist areas but not in daily life.

    Learn Spanish · How long it takes

  2. 2. Portuguese

    Closest to English · about 700 hours

    Portugal and Brazil are both popular destinations, and Portuguese is needed for bureaucracy and neighbours.

    Learn Portuguese · How long it takes

  3. 3. German

    Moderate · about 900 hours

    Germany, Austria and Switzerland offer strong jobs, but daily life and work run on German.

    Learn German · How long it takes

  4. 4. French

    Closest to English · about 700 hours

    France, Belgium, Switzerland and Quebec. French is the working language, so it matters for the long term.

    Learn French · How long it takes

  5. 5. Italian

    Closest to English · about 700 hours

    Italy is a favourite for retirees and remote workers, and you will be treated very differently if you speak.

    Learn Italian · How long it takes

  6. 6. Dutch

    Closest to English · about 700 hours

    Many Dutch people speak English, but integration and friendships depend on Dutch.

    Learn Dutch · How long it takes

  7. 7. Japanese

    Hardest · about 2,200 hours

    Daily life in Japan is far easier with the language, especially for forms and healthcare.

    Learn Japanese · How long it takes

  8. 8. Thai

    Harder · about 1,100 hours

    Popular with long-stay travellers and remote workers, where a few months of Thai make daily life warmer.

    Learn Thai · How long it takes

Tips for getting there faster

  • Prepare for paperwork, landlords, doctors and shops, not only conversation.
  • Do not rely on locals switching to English. In many cities you have to ask to practise.
  • Join something local, such as a class or a sports club, so you speak every week.

Still torn between two?

Compare the finalists head to head:

FAQ

Questions, answered

Still stuck? support@4tospeak.com

What are the best languages to learn before moving abroad?

Learn the language of the country you plan to live in: Spanish for Spain or Latin America, German for Germany or Austria, French for France or Quebec, Portuguese for Portugal or Brazil. Start six months before you move, and practise speaking.

Which is the easiest of these languages to learn?

Spanish is the quickest on this list for an English speaker, at about 700 hours to working proficiency (roughly 3.8 years at 30 minutes a day).

How do I choose between them?

Pick the one that matches where you will use it and what you enjoy. Motivation beats the difference in difficulty over months of study. If you cannot decide, try a week of 15 minutes a day in your top two and keep the one you look forward to.

Can I start for free?

Yes. 4ToSpeak has a free plan with no card and no time limit. Every sentence goes through ordering, translating, listening and saying it out loud.

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