Yesterday, I was searching for “How to learn a language fast?”. In the meantime, I noticed a post on “How long does it take to learn a language?”. In that post, I found some criteria and some periods for learning a language.
According to that post, you will be astonished after hearing that the easiest one takes 480 hours to complete the primary level. Please, guys, who think that I will master a language in only 30 hours, forget about it. Because it is not possible, man, it takes a lot of time.
Throughout this post, I will be discussing those. So, please be with us-
How long does it take to learn a language according to FSI?
FSI mainly stands for Foreign Service Institute. They have arranged a list of all languages and categorize them according to their difficulty. The number of the category is five, which are combined known as FSI 5.
According to this list, the easiest one takes 480 hours, which we have mentioned earlier. Another thing that has to be mentioned is the most difficult one takes 2200+ hours to have its basic level. So, again and again, I am saying to forget about being fast. Try to keep in mind that you have to be fluent, not fast.
Do I need exactly 480 hours or more? Can’t I learn it before that time?
Each of you may think that can’t I finish it earlier if I give more attention or more time? Well, for this question, my answer will be like this- Yes, you can. I haven’t told you that you can’t finish it a bit earlier. I have only said that this is the natural time for learning a language that every beginner will need. But anyone may finish it earlier. It depends on some factors which I will be discussing now. These are-
1. Attitude
2. Time
3. Attentiveness
Here the first point is attitude. Yes, your perspective matters here. It would help if you had a positive attitude toward that particular language.
Why? Because if you don’t have a positive attitude about it, you will always be thinking, “Why am I learning it?”. So, it would help if you had it.
The second thing is about spending time on it. We have told earlier that learning a language consumes much time. So, you need to spend time on it. It must be done according to a plan. The more you will give time, the more you will be near to your destiny. Keep it in mind and march forward.
The third thing is attentiveness. The more attentive you are, the faster you will learn.
Now I will be telling some tips that can help to learn fast. So be with us-
Learning Languages depends on why you want to learn them-
Yes. This is the most crucial thing that should be kept in mind. When you are learning a language, you need to know why you are learning it. Suppose you are buying a car where you have thousands of it beforehand. Tell will be there be any benefit?
No, obviously not. If you are learning a language that has no use in your practical life, it is useless. So, your first point must be seeking the need for it. Then you can start. After selection, some people ask,” Brother; I need to learn only for a business trip. Doesn’t it become so much time for comparing to my need?
Yeah, that is. So the second point here to be noted that the cause of learning. It may look quite similar to why you want to learn? But it would be best if you kept in mind that it was only a selection. It only shows you the necessity.
But the cause defines the specific one. What does a specific mean? It means the main reason for your learning. For example, you are going on a business trip with your boss.
In this case, you need not be native proficient. You will only need some ideas about the language: how to start a conversation, give orders for meals, etc.
But think you got a scholarship in China. There you need to stay for five years. In this case, will it be enough to learn the basics only? No, definitely not. You need to stay there for five years. In these years you will need to talk to your classmates from University. You may also need to speak in front of all in Mandarin. So basics will not be enough here.
That’s what I am trying to highlight. I hope you get it.
Learning Languages depends on how you learn them-
Well. This mainly defines the process of learning. This process also depends on some factors. The factors include the place of learning, books, and mentors. If we go to a brief discussion, it will be more precise.
1. Place of learning
Here I am talking about where you will learn. It can be a language institute or language club at your School, College, or University.
Between these two places, language institutions can help you more if you want to learn it fast because the main aim of them is to teach language. But your educational institution’s language club will not be able to give you the same facilities as their main aim is to educate you on various subjects.
Attentiveness also matters here. You will not get the same amount of curiosity in a school/varsity’s language club comparing to a Language Institution. So time may differ in this case.
2. Books
You know books are a great medium for learning anything. Language is not a different one in this case, as well. You need to pick up or choose the correct book for you. Correct means the relevant book that can help you more. So, you need to keep in mind that if you are thinking about the time.
3. Mentors
I wasn’t planning to add this. But the present situation forced me. Actually, here I am talking about the mentors who will guide you. You will find many websites and YouTube videos offering 20 days course to learn the advanced language.
But do you know these all are fake? I have told you earlier that the basics of the easiest one take 480 hours.
Then what are these videos? These are only an introduction to those languages. So please don’t follow them if you are planning to learn the native proficiency.
Another thing to be mentioned, online mentors can only show you the way. But they can’t assign any exam or exercise, which will be a significant threat because you know how essential exercising or practicing is. I will recommend attending classes regularly. This will help you to decrease the time limit.
These were all about how you can make the best use of time and can reduce the time. Follow the above if you are planning to learn it quickly.
Now I will be showing some examples of some particular languages. Let’s start-
How long does it take to learn Spanish?
We have discussed, “How long does it take to learn a language?”. By this time, we will see how does it take to learn Spanish.
As we have seen above about FSI 5, we can guess it more clearly. In that list, Spanish is in the first position of the first group. So you can think of it as an easy language. Spanish is quite similar to English as their root language is the same.
What is their root? That is the Portuguese language. So you can learn Spanish very quickly as you are introduced to English. But the question remains here. The question is, “How long does it take to learn Spanish?”.
You can ask me,’ you have told, I can learn it quickly. Does it mean 30-50 minutes?’
No, obviously not. I said easy, but I didn’t tell you that it will take only 30 minutes. As I mentioned, the easiest one will take 480 hours. I think you got me. That’s what Spanish will take to learn it.
Another thing, follow the above steps to decrease the time.
The last thing I want to mention here about the steps of learning. Do you know there are 4-5 levels of proficiency for any language? These levels are- Novice, intermediate, advanced, superior, native. In some cases, Native or bilingual also may add with this.
That’s not our main topic. Our topic is to learn. So what I was talking about is you need to learn level wise. Don’t make hurry—firstly complete novice, then intermediate, and so on.
Remember one thing here; learn many things, but the practice should be twice of it. I hope it will work.
How long does it take to learn Japanese?
Japanese is a tough language to learn. You will be amazed after hearing it that there 99 alphabets in Japanese for primary students. Another thing here that is FSI 5. In that list, it is placed in the last group. That means it is a hard one.
You need at least 2200 hours to get conversational fluency. About the mastering of it, you will need more. But don’t be worried about it because if you start and continue, you will get your result.
I am mentioning a few things here. These are-
- Start at the very first while you are reading this post.
- Practice twice; it means what you learn should be practiced more and more.
- Make a schedule and give more time for studying.
- Select the best mentor for you.
- Try to use more Japanese in your everyday life while learning.
- Find some exciting resources for your learning, like video games, word games, etc.
These were a few tips that can give you better practice in your language learning. So what do you think about how much will it take?
Can’t say, huh? Yeah, you can’t know it if you don’t start it. So, make it very clear to your mind that you are going to learn it.
Well, I forgot about one thing that is- join the “Fluent in 3 months challenge”. It will help you with everyday tasks and practices as well.
Conclusion
Actually, language learning is excellent work. It makes you introduced to various cultures as well. So, I will highly recommend you start the journey now because starting will make you more confident about your result.
Lastly, remember my words- If you have a mind to learn anything, nothing can stop you.
Thank you.