Many Americans like the idea of learning a second language. But fewer and fewer Americans are actually learning to speak multiple languages. In fact, the Pew Research Center reports that only about 25% of American adults self-report speaking a language other than English. And even in the Oval Office, bilingual presidents have become less and less common.

1. John Adams

● Languages learned: Latin, Greek, and French

Language Connections reports that John Adams — the second president of the United States and the first to live in the White House — learned three languages from a young age. To prepare him to attend Harvard University, his family ensured that learned both Latin and French. Rosett