If you work remotely or plan to work abroad, learning the local language can dramatically improve your job options, visa outcomes, integration, and quality of life.
This guide lists the best online language learning services by language, focused on:
- Practical conversation (not just theory)
- Flexible schedules for remote workers
- Good mobile apps
- Certifications where useful
- Strong global reputation
English
Countries most commonly used:
United Kingdom (England ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ, Scotland ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ, Wales ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ท๓ ฌ๓ ณ๓ ฟ, Northern Ireland)
Ireland ๐ฎ๐ช
United States of America ๐บ๐ธ
Australia ๐ฆ๐บ
New Zealand ๐ณ๐ฟ
Best for: international professionals, visas, global remote roles
Recommended platforms:
- Preply โ 1-to-1 tutors, excellent for business English
- Cambly โ native speakers, instant conversation practice
- italki โ structured teachers + community tutors
- EF English Live โ corporate-style structured courses
Use cases:
- Job interviews
- Client communication
- Work visas
- Corporate relocation
Spanish
Countries most commonly used:
Spain ๐ช๐ธ
Mexico ๐ฒ๐ฝ
Guatemala ๐ฌ๐น
El Salvador ๐ธ๐ป
Honduras ๐ญ๐ณ
Panama ๐ต๐ฆ
Nicaragua ๐ณ๐ฎ
Colombia ๐จ๐ด
Best for: remote work in Spain & Latin America
Recommended platforms:
- Baselang โ unlimited speaking practice (very popular with digital nomads)
- italki โ wide tutor selection
- Preply โ structured & affordable
- Lingoda โ small group classes
Use cases:
- Spain digital nomad visa
- Latin America relocation
- Client work across time zones
German
Countries most commonly used:
Germany ๐ฉ๐ช
Best for: EU job market, Germany & Austria visas
Recommended platforms:
- Lingoda โ excellent CEFR certification
- Goethe-Institut Online โ official exams & courses
- italki โ flexible speaking practice
- Preply โ budget-friendly tutors
Use cases:
- Blue Card visa
- German employers
- EU permanent residency pathways
French
Countries most commonly used:
France ๐ซ๐ท
Canada ๐จ๐ฆ
Best for: France, Canada (Quebec), Africa, NGOs
Recommended platforms:
- Frantastique โ daily adaptive lessons
- italki โ conversation focus
- Lingoda โ certifications
- Preply โ affordable tutoring
Use cases:
- French work visas
- Canadian immigration points
- International organisations
Portuguese
Countries most commonly used:
Portugal ๐ต๐น
Brazil ๐ง๐ท
Recommended platforms:
- Practice Portuguese โ Portugal-focused
- italki โ tutors for both PT & BR variants
- Preply โ flexible learning
- Pimsleur โ audio-based practice
Use cases:
- Portugal residency or digital nomad visa
- Brazilian clients
- EU integration
Japanese
Countries most commonly used:
Japan ๐ฏ๐ต
Best for: tech jobs, Japan relocation, contracts
Recommended platforms:
- WaniKani โ kanji mastery
- Bunpro โ grammar
- italki โ conversation
- Preply โ business Japanese tutors
Use cases:
- Japan work visas
- Japanese clients
- Tech companies
Korean
Countries most commonly used:
South Korea ๐ฐ๐ท
Best for: startups, tech sector, cultural integration
Recommended platforms:
- Talk To Me In Korean โ structured learning
- italki โ conversation
- Preply โ exam prep
- Coursera (Yonsei) โ academic foundation
Mandarin Chinese
Countries most commonly used:
China ๐จ๐ณ
Best for: manufacturing, supply chain, global trade
Recommended platforms:
- Yoyo Chinese โ pronunciation focused
- HelloChinese โ mobile learning
- italki โ tutors
- Preply โ business Chinese
Arabic
Countries most commonly used:
Egypt ๐ช๐ฌ
Saudi Arabia ๐ธ๐ฆ
Algeria ๐ฉ๐ฟ
Iraq ๐ฎ๐ถ
Morocco ๐ฒ๐ฆ
Sudan ๐ธ๐ฉ
United Arab Emirates ๐ฆ๐ช
Best for: Middle East roles, NGOs, government
Recommended platforms:
- Madinah Arabic โ MSA focus
- italki โ dialects
- Preply โ business Arabic
Other High-Value Languages
- Dutch ๐ณ๐ฑ โ Netherlands remote work
- Swedish ๐ธ๐ช โ Nordic startups
- Italian ๐ฎ๐น โ EU integration
- Polish ๐ต๐ฑ โ Eastern Europe tech hubs
- Turkish ๐น๐ท โ regional business hub
Platforms like italki and Preply support all of these.
| Goal | Best Type |
|---|---|
| Visa or certification | Lingoda, Goethe, EF |
| Speaking fluency | italki, Preply, Cambly |
| Budget | Preply, italki |
| Unlimited practice | Baselang |
| Mobile learning | Duolingo, HelloChinese |
For Remote Workers: Suggested Path
- Start with app basics (2โ4 weeks)
- Move to 1-to-1 tutors
- Add certification if required
- Practice daily conversation