There’s a lot of fun reasons to inspire your language learning in 2020. Need a reason to learn a language in 2020? Read on to learn 12 reasons to learn 20 languages!

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Japanese

I feel sometimes like Great Britain peaked in 2012 when we hosted the Olympics. It was magical in a way I think very few locals expected.

Although I’m sure Japan will put on quite the show, I’m also sure they won’t peak.

I mean, it’s Japan! There’s so much to see, do, eat, drink, learn, discover.

But if you do need a reason to learn Japanese in 2020 beyond Japan being eternally cool, the Olympics would be it.

Where to Start to Learn Japanese in 2020:

JapanesePod101* is where I started. Lots of audio from there combined with lots of italki* lessons is a great way to get the basics down without needing to worry too much about learning to read or write at the very beginning.

Then when you’re ready for that, Teach Yourself Read and Write Japanese Scripts* and is a great introduction.

Spanish, Nahuatl, Yucatec Maya

In October this year, the Polyglot Conference heads to Latin America for the very first time!

I could think of no better on the ground co-host than Anja Spilker of Zaloa Languages.

The event will take place in Cholula, Pueblo, not too far from Mexico City.

So whether you already know Spanish or are looking for a ready to learn Spanish in 2020, this is very much it!

Where to Start to Learn Spanish in 2020:

I love the Language Hacking series by Benny Lewis, and there’s a Language Hacking Spanish* option so you’re set!

Where to Start to Learn Nahuatl in 2020:

ZALOA Languages, the language school owned by Anja Spilker, co-host of the 2020 Polyglot Conference has a short online course called GO! Náhuatl to get you started with the basics of Nahuatl!

Where to Start to Learn Yucatec Maya in 2020:

Although the Conference is taking place near Mexico City, where Nahuatl is spoken, many international flights may arrive in Cancun, in the Yucatan Peninsula.

Not only is it worth hanging around a little here if you can because it’s stunning, but there’s also a whole other language to explore – Yucatec Maya.

There’s a basics course on Memrise and if you want to learn more, we made a Language Stories episode about the language.

Polish

The 2020 Polyglot Gathering is taking place in Poland this year.

After 3 years in Berlin and another 3 in Bratislava, it’s moving again to Teresin in Poland, 30km from Warsaw.

What better reason to polish your Polish?! (I’m sorry, I couldn’t resist.)

Where to Start to Learn Polish in 2020:

There’s a Duolingo course for Polish, which is always handy.

And there’s PolishPod101*, which has many free resources on YouTube, their social media channels and podcast apps, as well as their paid for content.

Maltese, Italian, Spanish, Catalan

Although I won’t be attending the Polyglot Gathering this year, I will be speaking at the very first Polyglot Cruise*!

This new event is organised by Kris Broholm and fits really well with the nature of polyglots who have an interest in multiple languages. Why? Because it visits multiple countries!

Starting in Barcelona, the cruise ship will visit Mallorca, Malta, Sicily, Civitavecchia, and Genova before heading back to finish in Barcelona.

I had LOTS of questions when Kris first asked me if I’d like to speak at this event, which he kindly answers in this video.

Where to Start to Learn Maltese in 2020:

Maltese is a little trickier to find resources for but they’re out there! Start with uTalk and Surface Languages for the basics.

Where to Start to Learn Italian in 2020:

Lots of choice for Italian! To keep things simple, start with ItalianPod101* and Language Hacking Italian* by Benny Lewis.

Where to Start to Learn Catalan in 2020:

There’s a couple of free online courses out there to get you started with Catalan, including Parla.cat and SpeakCat.

At first glance, neither seem to use a cat as a mascot, which I feel is a missed opportunity, but we can let that slide.

Scottish Gaelic

Last year, there was a small language event that took place for the very first time in Edinburgh, one of my favourite cities!

This year, it’s back and even better than before. Although being a big city, Edinburgh speaks English, the Edinburgh Language Event taking place in Scotland means I’m pretty sure you’ll get the chance to meet some Scottish Gaelic speakers if you attend!

Looking for some inspiration? Ádhamh Ó Broin is exactly what you need…

Where to Start to Learn Scottish Gaelic in 2020:

You’ve made a good decision. There’s more and more out there all the time when it comes to Scottish Gaelic. Your first stop should be LearnGaelic.net, then head over the the very new Scottish Gaelic Duolingo course (that already has more learners than native speakers apparently) and get learning.

Croatian or Irish

Every year, the European Commission supports the selection of European Capitals of Culture.

In 2020, there’s two very different places that have been selected: Rijeka in Croatia and Galway in Ireland.

That means there’s two potential languages you could learn if you’re planning a visit – Irish and Croatian!

Where to Start to Learn Croatian in 2020:

My friend, Shannon Kennedy has some episodes of Get By In Croatian to give you the basics you need.

Beyond that, there’s plenty on Memrise and there’s a Teach Yourself Complete Croatian* course too to take things further.

Where to Start to Learn Irish in 2020:

Another indigenous language that’s got a Duolingo course! You can start with the Irish Duolingo course and when it’s running the Irish 101 course on FutureLearn.

When you’re ready to start reading and listening to some real Irish, head to ClilStore (which also has many other languages covered) for more.

Dutch

For some unknown reason, Italy didn’t win Eurovision in 2019. Soldi was undoubtedly one of the best Eurovision songs in recent years, possibly since Loreen’s Euphoria in 2012.

Yet, here we are. The Netherlands won, which means that Rotterdam is hosting the Eurovision Song Contest in May.

So there’s a good reason to learn Dutch and see Eurovision live.

Unless of course, you’re still reeling over Soldi losing, in which case, keep it up and learn Italian.

Where to Start to Learn Dutch in 2020:

I love the videos from LearnDutch.org as well as DutchPod101*, which is what I used years ago when I started with Dutch.

Turkish

Football fan? The UEFA Champions League Final is taking place in Istanbul in 2020.

Being British, and more specifically, English, we don’t have the best rep when it comes to our football fans abroad. So what better way to break the stereotype than to head to a football match of such a grand scale with a little of the local language tucked up in your noggin?

Forget what you’ve heard about Turkish consisting of impossibly long words and dive in head first!

Where to Start to Learn Turkish in 2020:

Turkish Tea Time is a great option.

And of course, there’s TurkishPod101* and Duolingo.

Arabic, French, Berber

Marrakesh has been named Africa’s first ever Capital of Culture 2020! Pretty exciting stuff.

What’s even more exciting is that Marrakesh’s linguistic landscape is as exciting as a walk through its souks.

You’ve got French, Arabic, and Berber too. On a trip there a few years ago, I actually heard all three spoken on the streets!

Where to Start to Learn Arabic in 2020:

To learn specifically Moroccan Arabic, known as Darija, Speak Moroccan is a great source, as is Live Lingua with some ebooks and audios available to download for free.

The best Arabic resource I know of however, that does also include Moroccan Arabic, is Talk In Arabic.

For a more broader variety, you’ve got ArabicPod101*.

Where to Start to Learn French in 2020:

There’s soooo many options for French. Keep it simple and start with FrenchPod101, Language Hacking French, and italki.

Where to Start to Learn Berber in 2020:

There’s a Memrise course to get you started with the basics and some free downloadable ebooks from Live Lingua.

Vietnamese

Looking for a new challenge? How about Vietnamese?

April 2020 sees the first ever Formula 1 Grand Prix in Hanoi, the capital. AND it’s a street circuit, which is…just…Vietnamese streets are busy, how on earth are they gonna shut that down for the day?! I’m intrigued.

Where to Start to Learn Vietnamese in 2020:

Firstly, if it’s inspiration you’re looking for to learn Vietnamese, start here – with our episode of Language Stories all about learning Vietnamese as we follow Gaston Dorren’s journey with the language before and after a trip there.

Let’s start with the Vietnamese Duolingo course but what’s great about Vietnamese is that there’s another option here too – LingoDeer!

You’ve also got VietnamesePod101* and a short Vietnamese course on I Kinda Like Languages to get you off the ground.

Nepali

And now for something completely different. 2020 is the year of choice for the Visit Nepal 2020 tourism campaign.

The good news? There’s so much more than Everest. AND as part of the campaign, Nepal are committing to community based tourism and sustainable development goals.

Where to Start to Learn Nepali in 2020:

Here’s a feature-length video of some starter Nepali vocab. There’s plenty of follow up stuff at ilovelanguages.org.

There’s some ebook and audio downloads available on Live Lingua, and Memrise.

If you want to take things further, there’s a Complete Nepali course available from Teach Yourself.

Malay, Kristang

If Nepal isn’t quite where you’d like to visit this year, it’s also Visit Malaysia Year.

Malaysia is a glorious country I’ve visited a number of times. But if there’s one place I recommend right now, it has to be Melaka.

We filmed half of A Tale of Two Cities there, our Language Stories episode about Kristang. That place is pretty special. And the Kristang element gives you another language to learn before you visit!

Where to Start to Learn Malay in 2020:

If it’s open, a great place to start is this free Introduction to Malay course on FutureLearn.

If not, you’ve always got Memrise and Teach Yourself Complete Malay* to help you out.

Where to Start to Learn Kristang in 2020:

Kodrah Kristang have a great selection of Kristang audio lessons on Soundcloud and Memrise courses to accompany them.

If you can get your hands on it, there’s also a great book called Beng Prende Portugues Malaká (which I’m working through myself!) from Michael Singho in Malaká.