Language learning has always been a dynamic space, influenced by cultural shifts, global events, and personal aspirations. At City Lit, we’ve observed some fascinating trends in language course enrolments over the past year, from the surge in demand for Italian to the unexpected growth of Swedish. So, what’s driving these changes? Let’s explore the data with insights from Claudio Guasti, Head of School of Culture and Communication.
The most in-demand languages in 2025
Our latest enrolment data confirms that some European languages remain timeless favourites, while others have experienced remarkable growth, making up the majority of the top five.
The top five most popular languages at City Lit:
- Italian - The most popular language course for Brits, Italian has surged in popularity in recent years, overtaking both French and Spanish to claim the top spot.
- French - While French has dipped slightly from its previous number one position, it remains a popular choice for Brits, particularly those seeking a widely spoken European language.
- Spanish - With a steady increase in enrolments, Spanish continues to be an essential language for travel, culture, and communication across the globe, ranking third among Brits learning a new language.
- German - A consistent performer, German remains a favourite for those seeking cultural and business-related opportunities.
- Japanese - Driven by a growing interest in Japanese culture, including anime, cinema, and cuisine, this language has established a strong position among City Lit learners.
The fastest growing languages in the UK
While the usual favourites remain in demand across language learning in the UK, some languages have seen unexpected growth. Looking at enrolment trends over the past five years, our data shows that Celtic languages have experienced a large growth in interest, alongside Swedish and Korean.
|
Rank |
Language |
Five-year growth |
|
1 |
Swedish |
+208% |
|
2 |
Gaelic (Irish) |
+155% |
|
3 |
Korean |
+90% |
|
4 |
Welsh |
+83% |
|
5 |
Cornish |
+57% |
- Swedish (+208%) - The most dramatic growth among all languages, possibly driven by the popularity of the Nordic noir genre of crime fiction, and growing cultural interest.
- Gaelic (Irish) (+155%) - A strong resurgence as people reconnect with their heritage from across the British Isles. Brexit may have contributed to this interest, along with growing cultural pride in the language.
- Korean (+90.32%) - The global rise of Korean culture, from K-dramas to K-pop, has fuelled significant growth in learners eager to engage with the language.
- Welsh (+83.33%) - A continued revival, as more learners seek to embrace the indigenous languages of the UK.
- Cornish (+57.89%) - A fascinating increase in interest for this lesser-known language, possibly linked to cultural preservation efforts.
Reconnecting with identity: Indigenous and European Languages
"Interest in indigenous languages like Gaelic (Irish) and Welsh have seen significant growth, with enrolments increasing by 155% and 83%, respectively. This surge can be attributed to a renewed desire to reconnect with Britain’s linguistic heritage, particularly in the post-Brexit era.
European languages have also seen shifts in demand. While French and Spanish once dominated, Italian has experienced remarkable growth. Italian was growing before Brexit, but it has since exploded in popularity. There’s something about Italian culture that resonates with people, it's like comfort food.”
Travel and cultural exploration
"Languages traditionally associated with travel, such as French and Spanish, remain popular, but there’s a growing appreciation for immersive cultural experiences. Italian continues to thrive, largely due to the widespread enthusiasm for its culture, including its art, cuisine, and history."
For some learners, studying a language is less about immediate travel and more about long-term aspirations. Japanese learners are often younger, with the goal of visiting Japan one day.”
What’s next for language learning?
“Looking ahead, we predict that Italian will continue to grow, and cultural engagement will remain a key driver for language learning. However, we also see potential challenges. With AI, people might rely more on translation tools, but that takes away the fun part of learning a language. It’s like going to the gym, it’s about exercising your brain, engaging with culture, and making new connections.
Ultimately, language learning isn’t just about utility, it’s about human connection, cultural immersion, and expanding one’s worldview. Whether it’s the pull of travel, the influence of media, or the desire to reconnect with heritage, City Lit’s research shows that the love of languages is alive and well.”
Here at City Lit, we offer a wide range of language courses tailored to help our students embrace and immerse themselves in different cultures. Explore our language courses here to take the first step towards a brighter, multilingual future with City Lit.
Methodology
To identify the most popular languages to learn in the UK, researchers at City Lit conducted an analysis of internal course enrolment data, ranking the courses with the highest enrolment numbers over the past 12 months as the most popular.
To assess the fastest growing languages, the team analysed enrolment figures from 2019, comparing them to data from 2025 to calculate the percentage growth in enrolments.
The data is current as of March 2025.
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