How Long Does it Take to Learn a Language?

When you are trying to learn an additional language to the one you already speak, it may be hard to get started. The first thing you will probably want to know is how long it’ll take to be fluent in another language, and the answer to that can be quite complicated.

Many people that have learned multiple languages suggest that you can learn any language within 3 months, while others claim it can take up to a year of intense practicing and repetition. The truth is, it ultimately has to do with how you are learning and how much time a day you are putting into it.

Popular Ways to Learn

There are many different ways to learn another language. Here are some of the most popular ways, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each.

1. Language Classes: This often involves sitting in a classroom with other people and one teacher. The teacher most likely won’t have time to work with you one on one and you may be learning words or phrases that aren’t particularly useful to you. Furthermore, depending on the setting of these classes, they may be expensive.
2. Language Learning Programs: This can be anything from DVDs, tapes, or programs on the internet designed to help you learn a new language. Many of these have great gimmicks and can be quite helpful. The only problem is they are not cheap, and they may be designed for you to use every day, otherwise you’ll lose your progress. Besides that, you have to sit in front of a DVD player or computer to be able to use them.
3. Language Apps: This is usually in the form of smart phone apps. These apps can teach you a variety of things, and many are legitimate. However, there are those that are virtually useless, so it can be hard to tell the difference. A good thing is that most of these apps are free, so even if they waste a bit of your time, you won’t be wasting any money.
4. Online Resources: If you don’t have any money to spend, but you still want to learn, there are places online that you can turn to. For instance, you can visit free language program websites or download training material found online. The internet is massive, so the possibilities are endless. However, this may not be feasible for people that are novices at the internet and browsing, or if you simply don’t have access to the internet.
5. Immersion: There are those that travel to a completely different country, so they can surround themselves with people that speak the language they want to learn. This is a proven way to learn a language, but it also isn’t something everyone can accomplish. After all, most of us don’t have time to travel for three months at a time, just to learn a language. Also, this method can be dangerous, especially if you are around people that won’t be able to communicate with you.

Tips and Tricks

There is some merit to each of these ways to learn a different language, but none of them can promise you a clear amount of time that it will take to master another language.

This is because it depends solely on how much time you put into it. That is why you should only be learning words and concepts that are useful to you, including words that are the most commonly spoken in the language.

A great tip if you want to use the language learning programs method is to try out and purchase quality versions like Rocket Languages. This program offers you a free sneak peek into what services they offer, and can be used through a variety of devices. Besides that, they have extensive customer support and tutors to give you a fighting chance at learning a new language.

Another great tip can be utilized if you want to try the immersion method. You don’t have to be in a country to be immersed in their language. There are foreign websites, movies, books, and much more that can give you a better understanding of their language.

This can also help because it will give you access to their forms of entertainment, which means it is most likely popular concepts and words. The more widely spoken words you are exposed to, the greater chance you have to become fluent.

Additionally, you can speak with some natives you know or have video chats with them, which is inexpensive and can provide you with a better sense of different mannerisms and inflections that are used throughout the culture. This can even offer you an ally or tour guide, if you decided you wanted to travel to go test out your language skills.

Conclusion

If someone ever tells you an exact time that it takes to learn a language, you don’t have to believe them. It actually depends on the language you are learning, the resources you have access to, and the time you put in to it. If you aren’t taking at least 30 minutes a day to learn a language, you aren’t really giving it a fair shot, and you most likely aren’t learning anything.

However, if you employ any of the techniques listed above, you can start mastering a language rather quickly. The method that is guaranteed to help you is Rocket Languages. In fact, they offer a refund if you aren’t more fluent in 6 weeks.

The other methods also have their ups and downs, so you should do some trial and error to see what works for you. After all, no one can do the work for you, so you must decide which options are feasible in your life. In the span of 3 months to a year, you should be able to speak a great portion of any language, maybe even master it, if you are diligent enough to keep working at it.

Don’t give up!