“Which language to learn - German, English, or French?” - a choice that should be made based on your goals, not on rumors about difficulty. Each of these languages is learnable; the question is what comes easier to you and what will be more beneficial. Let’s compare honestly, without the myth of the “most difficult language in the world”.
German or English
English might seem easier at the start: simpler grammar, no gender or cases, and it’s everywhere, making motivation and practice readily available. However, this is why many people speak English today, and it serves as a weaker competitive advantage. German is more challenging initially due to articles and cases, but it opens up job markets in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, where language specialists are valued and competition is lower. If you already know English, German becomes a logical next step - plus, it will tend to be easier since the languages are related. The process of learning from scratch is detailed in the guide how to learn German.
German or French
Here, the choice often hinges more on personal preference and goals than on difficulty - both languages are comparable in terms of challenge, just with different obstacles. French can be daunting due to its pronunciation and reading, while German features more straightforward reading but has cases and genders. If you plan to live and work in German-speaking countries, the answer is clear, and the same goes for French-speaking regions in Europe and Africa. If you already speak English and consider the “ease of access,” German is generally closer due to shared roots. Try experiencing German in practice:
What to learn as a second language
When you’ve mastered English and are considering a second foreign language, German is one of the most practical options: its vocabulary is closely related to English, which accelerates the start, and the career and mobility benefits are significant. The key is not to spread yourself too thin between two new languages at once: it’s much more effective to reach a confident B1 level in one than to struggle at A1 in two. The estimated time for this is outlined in the guide how long it takes to learn German.
Frequently asked questions
Which language is easier - German or French?
They are roughly equal in difficulty, but the challenges are different: German has cases and genders, while French has pronunciation and reading difficulties. For English speakers, German typically comes a bit easier.
Is German more promising than English?
English is a foundational language, but that’s why many people know it. German as a second language provides a rarer advantage, especially for work and living in German-speaking countries.
Which is easier - German or English?
English is easier at the beginning: it has no genders or cases. German is more challenging initially, but with knowledge of English, it tends to be easier due to their shared roots.
What language should be learned second after English?
German is one of the most practical options: its related vocabulary speeds up the learning process, and the career and mobility returns are high.
Can you learn two languages at once?
You can, but it’s more effective to bring one language to a confident B1 level than to get stuck at A1 in two. Spreading yourself thin hinders progress in both languages.
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