What Are the Hardest Languages to Learn for English Speakers?

Estimated reading time: 7 minutes

Learning a new language is a challenging but rewarding journey. As an English speaker, you may have heard that some languages are particularly difficult to master. But what makes a language “hard”? Is it the grammar, pronunciation, or perhaps the unfamiliar script? While some languages may seem daunting at first, with the right approach, any language can be learned effectively. And with the right tools, like the Learn Language Store app, you can access free resources to help you conquer even the most challenging languages. Available on both the App Store and Google Play, this app offers everything you need to turn difficult languages into manageable ones.

Why Some Languages Are Considered Difficult

Before diving into specific languages, it’s important to understand why certain languages pose more of a challenge for English speakers:

• Different Writing Systems: Languages that use non-Latin scripts, such as Arabic or Chinese, require learning an entirely new set of characters or symbols.
• Complex Grammar: Some languages have grammatical rules that are vastly different from English, such as verb conjugations, noun cases, or gendered nouns.
• Pronunciation: Languages with sounds that don’t exist in English can be difficult to pronounce correctly.
• Cultural Differences: Understanding idioms, cultural references, and context can make language learning more complex.

Despite these challenges, with dedication and the right resources, learning any language is achievable.

1. Mandarin Chinese

Why It’s Hard: Mandarin Chinese is often cited as one of the most difficult languages for English speakers due to its tonal nature and writing system. Mandarin has four tones, and the meaning of a word can change depending on the tone used. Additionally, the writing system is based on thousands of characters rather than an alphabet.

Why It’s Easy: Once you master the tones and get familiar with common characters, Mandarin can become easier. The grammar is relatively straightforward, with no verb conjugations, tenses, or gendered nouns. Using the Learn Language Store app, you can access free lessons that focus on these foundational elements, making Mandarin more approachable.

2. Arabic

Why It’s Hard: Arabic is challenging due to its script, which is written from right to left, and its complex grammar, which includes numerous verb forms and noun cases. Additionally, spoken Arabic varies significantly from region to region, adding another layer of difficulty.

Why It’s Easy: Once you learn the Arabic script, you’ll find that many words are derived from common root letters, making vocabulary building easier. The Learn Language Store app offers free resources to help you learn the script and grammar step by step, and it even includes lessons on different dialects.

3. Japanese

Why It’s Hard: Japanese has three writing systems (Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji), which can be overwhelming for beginners. Additionally, Japanese grammar and sentence structure are very different from English, and the use of honorifics adds a layer of complexity.

Why It’s Easy: Japanese pronunciation is relatively simple, with fewer sounds than English. The Learn Language Store app breaks down the writing systems into manageable lessons and provides cultural insights to help you understand context and usage, making Japanese easier to learn over time.

4. Hungarian

Why It’s Hard: Hungarian is known for its complex grammar, including 18 noun cases, which makes it difficult for English speakers to grasp. The vocabulary is also vastly different from that of any other European language.

Why It’s Easy: Once you get a handle on the cases, Hungarian follows logical and consistent rules. The Learn Language Store app offers free grammar exercises that help you practice and understand these rules, making Hungarian less intimidating.

5. Korean

Why It’s Hard: Korean has a unique writing system (Hangul) and a complex system of honorifics that must be used correctly depending on the social context. The grammar, including subject-object-verb sentence structure, is also different from English.

Why It’s Easy: Hangul is one of the most logical and easy-to-learn scripts in the world. The Learn Language Store app can help you master Hangul quickly and offers lessons that break down the grammar in an easy-to-understand way, making Korean more accessible.

6. Russian

Why It’s Hard: Russian uses the Cyrillic alphabet, which can be difficult for English speakers to learn. Additionally, Russian grammar is complex, with six noun cases and a wide range of verb conjugations.

Why It’s Easy: Once you learn the Cyrillic alphabet, you’ll find that Russian has many loanwords from English and other languages. The Learn Language Store app offers free resources to help you learn the alphabet and provides exercises to practice noun cases, making Russian easier to tackle.

7. Finnish

Why It’s Hard: Finnish is known for its difficult grammar, including 15 cases and a unique vocabulary that’s not related to other European languages. The sentence structure and use of postpositions instead of prepositions can also be challenging.

Why It’s Easy: Finnish pronunciation is relatively straightforward, with consistent phonetic rules. The Learn Language Store app provides free lessons that focus on grammar and pronunciation, helping you to build a solid foundation in Finnish.

8. Icelandic

Why It’s Hard: Icelandic has a complex grammar system, including four noun cases and irregular verb forms. The vocabulary is also unique, as Icelandic has preserved many ancient words and grammatical structures.

Why It’s Easy: Once you grasp the basics, Icelandic has a consistent and logical grammar system. The Learn Language Store app can help you with vocabulary building and provides cultural context that makes learning Icelandic more enjoyable.

9. Thai

Why It’s Hard: Thai is a tonal language with five tones, making pronunciation tricky for English speakers. Additionally, Thai uses its own script, which requires learning a new set of characters.

Why It’s Easy: The Learn Language Store app offers free resources that focus on tone practice and script learning, helping you to gradually master the basics of Thai. With consistent practice, Thai can become easier to speak and understand.

10. Polish

Why It’s Hard: Polish has a complex grammar system with seven cases, and the pronunciation of certain sounds can be challenging for English speakers. The vocabulary is also quite different from English.

Why It’s Easy: Once you get familiar with the sounds and cases, Polish follows consistent grammatical rules. The Learn Language Store app provides free pronunciation guides and grammar exercises, making Polish more accessible.

Table: Comparison of Hardest Languages for English Speakers

Conclusion

While some languages may be considered “hard” for English speakers, with the right mindset and tools, any language can be learned. The Learn Language Store app is your perfect companion in this journey, offering free resources, structured lessons, and cultural insights to help you succeed. Whether you’re tackling Mandarin, Arabic, or any other challenging language, remember that persistence and practice are key. Download the app today from the App Store or Google Play, and start turning those language-learning obstacles into stepping stones.