Learning a new language is an exciting and fulfilling goal, but one of the most common questions that arises is: “How long will it take me?” The answer is not straightforward, as it depends on various factors, including your native language, the language you want to learn, the time and effort you dedicate, and your learning method. Here, we break down some key aspects that can influence your progress.
Remember that everyone is different, and you can only compare yourself to yourself. Don’t compare yourself to others. If you see someone who learned a language in three months, it might be because they had a lot of free time to study many hours a day (and you don’t), or they had the opportunity to spend time in a country where that language is spoken (and you don’t), etc. Everyone’s reality is different. It’s better to compare your current level of Spanish with the level you had last year or six months ago.
1. Similarity to Your Native Language
If your native language has similarities to the language you’re learning, you’re likely to progress faster. For example, a native Spanish speaker may find it easier to learn Italian or French compared to a native Chinese speaker due to grammatical and lexical similarities between the Romance languages.
2. Time and Dedication
The time you invest daily in learning a language is crucial. According to the United States Foreign Service Institute (FSI), it takes approximately 600-750 hours to reach a professional level of competence in easier languages for English speakers, such as Spanish or French. For more difficult languages like Arabic, Chinese, or Japanese, this time can increase to 2200 hours. That means to reach an A1 level, you will need to study between 600 and 750 hours, which includes classes and time spent studying on your own.
Obviously, this also depends on your ability to memorize and retain information and the method you use. For example, at Spanish Made Easy, we use an interactive, conversation-centered method, which accelerates learning compared to other learning methods.
3. Learning Method
The method you choose also plays an important role. Classes, language exchanges, immersion in a country where the language is spoken, and learning apps can all be effective, but combining them is usually the best strategy. Variety in the method can keep you motivated and cover different aspects of learning, such as grammar, conversation, and listening comprehension. You need to be able to organize yourself to cover these competencies, and at Spanish Made Easy, we make it even easier with our personalized course.
4. Motivation and Goals
Your personal motivation and specific goals can accelerate or slow down your progress. Having a clear and personal reason to learn a language, such as a trip, a job opportunity, or a cultural connection, can increase your dedication and enthusiasm. For example, most of our students learn Spanish because they are traveling to Spain and want to be able to speak with the locals. Think about your personal goal: Is it for a hobby? Tourism? Do you have a relationship with a Spanish-speaking person? Do you like watching movies or series in the original version?
5. Practice Frequency
Constant practice is essential. Even if you can’t dedicate many hours a day, daily practice, even for short periods, is more effective than studying intensively once a week. In fact, if you only have a few minutes one day, it’s better to focus on reviewing what you’ve already studied rather than learning new things. Repetition is the key to success when it comes to languages.
6. Learning Environment
Being surrounded by the language you’re learning, whether through immersion in a foreign country, watching movies, listening to music, or speaking with native speakers, can significantly accelerate your learning. Here we leave you a list of songs by musical genre and YouTube videos that will help you immerse yourself in Spanish.
In conclusion, there is no universal answer to how long it will take to learn a new language, but with dedication, the right method, and proper motivation, you can make significant progress in a matter of months. The most important thing is to enjoy the process and celebrate every advancement on your journey to mastering the new language!
Good luck on your language learning adventure! Do you have any experiences or tips about learning languages? Share them in the comments!
