This is the question I'm asked most often as a language teacher. Inevitably, it leaves me dumbfounded, yet my answer might determine whether someone will or won't embark on a language learning adventure.
"How long will it take me to learn Spanish?" (You may substitute the language of your choice for Spanish)
I wish there was a formula that I could use to give you a meaningful answer. Since there is no such formula, I can at least give you a list of the variables that would make it up.
1. What's your native language and which language do you want to learn?
If your native language is English and you want to learn Spanish, you will have an easier time than if you were learning Chinese. Spanish is relatively close to English, so you don't need to learn a new script, nor do you need to learn a whole new way of looking at the world. For a native Japanese speaker, on the other hand, it will be easier to learn Chinese than to learn Spanish, as he already knows some of the characters and is somewhat familiar with the culture.
2. How many languages have you learned, and which ones?
If you have been monolingual until now, learning a new language will require more of you than of someone who already knows one or two other languages. Multilinguals have already compartmentalized their brain to create a dedicated space for each language. Plus, they acquired the ability to think in different languages, which is essential for them to be operational in each language.
It's an ability that has little to do with how many grammar rules you know and how many words you have learned - it's almost like a personality shift. There are techniques that will accelerate this process, but unfortunately, far too little time is spent on this in the traditional language classroom.
Now, if you are learning Spanish and already know French or Italian, you have a better idea of how the language works than if you had previously learned Russian. You'll recognize some vocabulary, a few sentence structures and be familiar with some idioms, as Spanish, French and Italian are all romance languages.
3. How much time will you spend on your learning?
You realize that learning is ultimately your responsibility. There will obviously be a positive correlation between the time you invest in your learning and your progress. Just showing up for class, regardless of whether it's a group class or individual coaching, will not do the job. In my opinion, the teacher's function is to give you outstanding materials to work with, show you how the language works and give you opportunities to practice conversations with a native speaker. Apart from that, you're on your own!
4. Which learning strategies are you using?
This is a variable that does depend on your teacher. If you are learning with someone who only teaches you grammar rules and asks you to memorize pages of vocabulary, chances are it will take you FOREVER (if not longer!) to master the language. If your teacher knows smart and efficient learning strategies, you may be able to hold conversations in your new language within a few weeks.
If you have a choice, find teachers who are learning a language themselves. They understand what it takes to reorganize a brain to be able to converse in a new language and they'll relate to your challenges as a student!
5. What level of proficiency are we talking about?
Do you want to travel to the country and be able to buy potatoes at the local market and ask where the bathroom is? Do you need to negotiate a business deal? Do you need to write a dissertation in your new language? These are widely differing skill levels, and reaching them will take more or less time.
In short, there is no straightforward answer to how long it will take you to learn a language.
A guideline that might be helpful comes from the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) in Arlington, VA. This is the institution that trains American diplomats to learn languages for their foreign assignments. The FSI organizes languages into three categories, according to how difficult it is for a native English speaker to learn them.
You need to know that most students at the FSI know one or more other languages, study in classes of six, have 25 hours of class a week and about three to four hours to study on their own every day.
Here are the categories. (The timeframe listed is required to reach a Level 3, or General Professional Proficiency, in Speaking and Reading.)
I. Languages closely related to English (Dutch, French, Spanish, etc.): 23-24 weeks (575-600 class hours)
II. Languages with significant linguistic and/or cultural differences from English (Russian, Persian, Thai, etc.): 44 weeks (1100 class hours)
III. Languages which are exceptionally difficult for native English speakers (Mandarin, Arabic, Japanese, etc.): 88 weeks (about half that time preferably spent studying in-country)
German is listed under "Other Languages" and would take about 30 weeks.
If you'd like to see how the language you're learning is categorized, click here .
Is the FSI methodology the most efficient around? After looking at one of their courses, I am not entirely convinced, but it is certainly one of the best and most comprehensive approaches--and it seems to work for the diplomats!
This author of this Article has choosen to make this article available with free reprint rights. Click here to copy this article.
Interesting article Nathalie, thank you. I had to giggle at myself because even in high school, and we won't talk about how long ago that was, I couldn't learn Spanish. Mrs. Cotta used to get very exasperated with me.
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Article added to SearchWarp.com on Thursday, July 31, 2008 View other articles written by Nathalie Fairbanks(133)
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