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How long does it take to learn a language?
Recently, I've been thinking about what I want to learn in the future and thought about if I wanted to work abroad I would want to be at least conversational level. #foreign-languages #study-abroad
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Joyce E.’s Answer
How long it takes to learn a language depends on how old you are (younger is better), your ability to learn langugages (varies by individual), how fluent you want to be and how you learn that language. For example, after 3 years of high school Spanish and a year of college Spanish, it was pretty easy to read newspapers and popular magazines, but I really wasn't fluent in speaking Spanish until after I lived in Chile with a family for a couple of months. In Chile, I lived in Spanish all day every day.
After learning Spanish, I picked up Portuguese by attending 10 lessons with a Brazilian from the local consulate, reading in Portuguese, and then living in Brazil with a Brazilian family. Within a few months, I was thinking in Portuguese.
The key to learning a new language is to use it regularly, even if only to yourself. A good way to start is with Duolingo which is free and allows you do a five minute lesson (or several) every day. My public library offers another learning program - Mango - which is on-line and has longer lessons which you can fit into your schedule.
It is also a good idea to add a podcast or 2 in the language that you are studying, My phone has podcasts in Spanish and Portuguese dealing with news and international affairs which is of interest to me. Voice of America, Radio France, and Deutsche Weil have podcasts in other languages that are free.
After learning Spanish, I picked up Portuguese by attending 10 lessons with a Brazilian from the local consulate, reading in Portuguese, and then living in Brazil with a Brazilian family. Within a few months, I was thinking in Portuguese.
The key to learning a new language is to use it regularly, even if only to yourself. A good way to start is with Duolingo which is free and allows you do a five minute lesson (or several) every day. My public library offers another learning program - Mango - which is on-line and has longer lessons which you can fit into your schedule.
It is also a good idea to add a podcast or 2 in the language that you are studying, My phone has podcasts in Spanish and Portuguese dealing with news and international affairs which is of interest to me. Voice of America, Radio France, and Deutsche Weil have podcasts in other languages that are free.
Updated
Nick’s Answer
This will depend on how much dedication you put into the learning the language. I speak Spanish and French and learned them very differently. I studied French in school for over 10 years, then studied abroad for months and learned more than I did during my entire schooling. I took 1 year of Spanish in school then lived abroad for 2.5 years and became fully fluent.
The fastest I would suggest a language could be learned to fluency, assuming full immersion, would be around 1.5-2 years. If you take a more leisurely approach and are not living in a location where you're forced to use the language, some people never achieve a high level of fluency. Motivation can be difficult when you're a beginner, but as your level of fluency improves the process becomes much more enjoyable.
The fastest I would suggest a language could be learned to fluency, assuming full immersion, would be around 1.5-2 years. If you take a more leisurely approach and are not living in a location where you're forced to use the language, some people never achieve a high level of fluency. Motivation can be difficult when you're a beginner, but as your level of fluency improves the process becomes much more enjoyable.
Updated
Kimberly Rochelle’s Answer
Hi!
First I want to congratulate you on your interest in learning a foreign language. With technology and new apps, I think it is easy to access and learn a new language. It take consistency and time to learn. Apps like Duolingo or Babbel can help with the process.
I am also a fan of learning by conversation. It is good to practice by yourself. If you're able to connect with others who are learning also (like virtual language meetups), that helps you retain the language better. Definitely podcasts is another option. Learning a language is fun, keeps your brain sharp and a way to connect and learn about other cultures. A way to communicate. I learned Spanish. I need to brush up on my skills. I like Spanish...:)!
First I want to congratulate you on your interest in learning a foreign language. With technology and new apps, I think it is easy to access and learn a new language. It take consistency and time to learn. Apps like Duolingo or Babbel can help with the process.
I am also a fan of learning by conversation. It is good to practice by yourself. If you're able to connect with others who are learning also (like virtual language meetups), that helps you retain the language better. Definitely podcasts is another option. Learning a language is fun, keeps your brain sharp and a way to connect and learn about other cultures. A way to communicate. I learned Spanish. I need to brush up on my skills. I like Spanish...:)!
Updated
Nathalie’s Answer
Hi! I think learning another language isn't difficult. I think the hard part is remembering it if you don't have someone to practice with. It could take you a few weeks to a couple of month to be comfortable with general words. But you won't become proficient in the language unless you practice it with another person. If you're interested in it, I would go for it!