Which is the easiest language to learn in college?

As I'll be required to fulfill a foreign language requirement in college, I'm interested in knowing about the easiest languages to pick up at a collegiate level. I know 'easy' is subjective, but are there any that stand out?

The language that will be easiest for you to learn in college largely depends on your personal background and existing language skills. However, generally speaking, if you're a native English speaker, you might find that languages which share a significant amount of vocabulary with English - such as Spanish, French, or Italian - tend to be easier to pick up. These languages also follow similar grammatical structures to English, which might make them more approachable.

For example, Spanish is often deemed one of the most straightforward languages for English speakers due to its consistent and phonetic spelling rules. The pronunciation is easier for many English speakers, and Spanish has many cognates with English, words that are similar in both languages, such as "telefono" for "telephone."

Similarly, French and Italian are Romance languages that share significant vocabulary with English. French's pronunciation and certain grammar structures can be complex, but as with Spanish, there are numerous word overlaps with English. Italian is often considered one of the most "musical" languages due to the rhythmic emphasis on vowels, making it a popular choice among English speaking learners.

If you already know a particular language or are familiar with a certain language family, then learning a closely related language would be easier. For instance, if you already know Spanish, learning Italian or Portuguese could be easier due to many shared vocabulary and similar grammar rules.

Remember that accessibility of resources, willingness to practice, and level of interest in the language and its associated culture are significant factors in easily learning a new language. Languages that have vast resources for learning, such as online courses, apps, movies, books, and native speakers for practice might be easier to learn than those with limited resources.

All in all, the "easiest" language often comes down to personal preference and dedication. It's most important to select a language that you're truly interested in, as this will help keep you motivated throughout the learning process. Every language has its complexities and nuances, but with consistent effort, you can certainly gain proficiency over time.