How Long Does It Take To Learn Spanish?
I am often asked, “how long does it take to learn Spanish?” I’m afraid this is largely a million-dollar question and one for which there’s no generic answer.
Sadly there are simply too many variables involved, in that so much depends on how much effort an individual is prepared to put into learning the language, and also which method or program they are going to be using. Add to that the incontrovertible fact that while some scholars may opt to use the services of a personal tutor, others will select a classroom environment instead. In reality, some scholars will rather select using one or other home study program which gets use out of books, multimedia, software, and audio recordings. You also have to ask yourself whether the person will be learning the language in a land where it’s spoken as the first language, or whether they will be learning it in their home country. Furthermore, the quality of a program or the experience of a teacher will also influence the end result.
Since these variables will have such a direct effect on how long does it take to learn Spanish, it is just not possible to provide a single answer to this query. In fact, I have personally met students who after half a year, managed to communicate confidently in conversational Spanish, but also , I’ve known folks who have attempted to study the Spanish language for a number of years, admittedly on an on and off basis, and yet after many years they can barely get by.
Instead of attempt to provide a simple answer to this question, I’d prefer to discuss what I feel to be the fastest way of learning Spanish. The most vital step of all, is for a person to take advantage of every possible opportunity regarding interacting in the language they wish to learn, regardless of what language that may be.
While you actually do get those who are firm adherents of the classroom approach, I personally feel it takes too long unless it is done with another strategy. In my experience, a self study strategy of top quality is by far superior in that it permits a student to move forward at their own pace rather than being tied down to the average lecture room pace. This is particularly true with regards to students who are really serious about learning a language.
In this case, I’d suggest a person to select a reputable program which includes a range of audio lessons, multimedia lessons, and of course, written Spanish. In addition, they should choose a program which allows for lessons to be downloaded onto a mobile device so that the student can listen on their iPod for instance. Remember, if you’re serious about learning a language, then you should aim for being able to not only speak it and read it, but also to write it and understand it. Unless a program covers all four of these areas, it should be avoided or at least, you may need some further material.
As you most likely have already heard, Rocket Spanish is a highly popular program, and not without reason. Considering that it addresses all four of the area’s discussed, it has gained a name for providing students with aclass] foundation for basic Spanish which in turn will make sure that you’re able to speak confidently in Spanish inside a comparatively short space of time. Similarly, Rosetta Stone is considered to be nearly as good, in that it also addresses the 4 areas discussed above. Furthermore, it is available in two versions so that individuals can choose between the “Spain” version and the South American Spanish version. Judging from testimonials, it would appear the Rosetta Stone program takes slightly longer to work thru, which of course means it will take you a little longer before you develop conversational Spanish but generally, it ranks right up there with Rocket Spanish. Also, Rosetta Stone is considerably costlier.
As you can see, there are too many variables concerned for me or anyone else to be ready to give a single response regarding “how long does it takes to learn Spanish. However, you have potentially also gathered by this time that there are a few things you can do in order to speed up the method. In reality, many people go as far as using both the programs discussed with each other in order to develop conversational abilities as fast as possible. However, unless you are steadily exposed to the Spanish language, no program will be capable of making you 100 % fluent. On the other hand, providing you’re at an intermediate-to-advanced level, you might want to consider subscribing to Puerta del Sol Audio magazine which is a Spanish language abilities Magazine. Similarly, you’d be surprised at just how much you can benefit from joining a Meetup group in your area that focuses on learning the Spanish language.