How long will it take me to learn a new language?

We asked 2 experts at LTC this question. Here is what each of them said. 

Expert 1 - Written by Wendy Carson

One of the most common questions people ask is “How long will it take me to learn a new language?” The problem is there’s no ideal answer. The Foreign Service Institute calls for 10,000 hours of study to become proficient while others claim they can teach you a language in as little as 3 months. 

So where is the disconnect?

Largely, your language learning depends on you- what your native language is, what language you want to learn, the quality of your instruction, and the amount of time you’re willing to put in to practice. Anyone who has studied a language in school knows that, despite hundreds of hours and years of instruction, you still don’t feel comfortable speaking and communicating in that language.

But why?

Think about the way language is taught in school. You fill in a grammar book. You translate new

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words and memorize vocabulary. You listen to a recording of someone speaking, most likely in a very inauthentic way. You look at pictures and choose the correct answer. The little amount of speaking you get to do is usually with your classmate, who is probably just as lost as you are. Even then, you’re presumably reading from a prescribed dialogue that has no value or interest to you.

The good news is language learning can be different. It can be fun, dynamic, effective, and life changing—and all be tailored to you. Have you already studied for years and still don’t feel like you can communicate? There’s no need to start at the beginning. Customized training meets the student where they are and builds from the known. Tailored learning allows students to ask questions, get the help they need, and most importantly, practice! Students will never learn a language unless they get the chance to speak. With LTC’s approach, which comes from years of research on the science of effective language learning, a language is acquired through communication, inquiry, and authentic interaction with a trained professional who is there to do one thing—to make sure you succeed in your goal. 

Expert 2 - Written by Kristen Fending

Ask any foreign language teacher how long it takes to learn a language, and you’re likely to get as many different opinions as the number of teachers asked. Many colleges say several years with multiple courses per semester. Some government agencies say thousands of hours. Some companies provide hundreds of hours to their employees that are relocating to another country. It’s difficult to imagine that any of this could be accomplished in the span of 3 months, or even a year.

There are also many methods offered to learn a language: group classroom and one-on-one instruction, fully immersive experiences (a “sink or swim” method), face-to-face conversational, virtual methods, or a combination of any of these. Study time outside of the classroom on the student’s own has an enormous impact on how successful their course of study will be. All these methods will have varying degrees of success depending on the student’s individual learning style- this is where having a personal, highly qualified teacher is especially valuable. This is what we offer at LTC Language Solutions. Through conversation with the student, they can ascertain the student’s learning style and determine how best to reach them and make language “click”. Our teachers also use authentic, everyday materials to make language real for students.

Less important is the amount of calendar time that a student puts into their language study, as is the number of hours and amount of effort they put in. It’s unrealistic to say to a student that in 3 months they will have acquired a language, with so many variables in question. Additionally, one can’t discount the value of having a live teacher, either face-to-face or virtual, that can also teach local colloquialisms, and practice conversation with the student. As is the case with most things in life, quality means more than quantity.

Learn more about LTC and language training or call us at 888-456-1626.