Jan 26 2008
How Long Does It Take to Learn a Language?
This is a difficult question to answer, as there are a ton of factors involved. One, how dedicated you are. Obviously, it’s going to take less time (overall) to become fluent in a language if you put more time into it, and on a regular schedule. Consistency is a large part in language learning, and the best results are received from putting in a regular study session (daily is the best).
Another factor is how related the language is to your native one. As a native English speaker, I found Spanish to be extremely similar to English. For example, the Spanish word revolución is the same as revolution, información and information, and there are a huge number of words that are extremely similar to English ones. The same is true for native speakers of Italian, French, or any of the other Romance Language family–words and syntax in other languages of the same family are similar, so it’s quite a bit easier to learn them.
One more factor that I think can affect how long it takes is talent. Someone who is talented in the area of reading/writing will have an easier time learning a language. As well as someone who has a high listening learning preference.
I’ve made it my goal to become fluent in one language every 6 months. I think that’s a relatively reasonable goal. I heard that once a person has become proficient in a second language, it becomes easier to learn others. So far, I’ve found this to be true.
I want to read more about that someone you refer to but the link isn’t working for me when I click on it. I’m getting an error page.
It is fascinating how different people learn (and how quickly they can learn) different languages.
Strange, the URL was working for me. I changed it, though, so hopefully it’ll work for everybody else now.
Thanks.
You say that you want to become fluent in one language every 6 months. I was just wondering how you define being fluent. Depending on your definintion, that could be a very attainable goal or nearly impossible (at least without total immersion over that time period). Also, after a few years you will have a lot of languages under your belt. How do plan to keep up on all of them?
My definition of ‘fluent’ would be being able to converse in the target language in a typical everyday conversation. Nothing technical or specialized. I’m only planning on maybe 2-3 languages total, at least for a while, most of which are in the same family so they’re all pretty similar.
Instead of 6 months per language, why not devote a year (or more) to each and become even more fluent? If you only want to learn 2-3 total, 6 months a piece seems a bit rushed mate. Innit?