How Long Does It Take To Learn Spanish?
I am often asked, “how long does it take to learn Spanish?” I am afraid this is essentially a million-dollar question and one for which there’s no simple answer.
Unfortunately there are simply way too many variables involved, in that so much depends on how much effort someone is willing to put into studying the language, and also which method or program they’ll be using. Add to that the fact that while some people may decide to use the services of a personal tutor, others will select a classroom environment instead. In fact, some students will rather select using one or other home study program which gets use from books, multimedia, software, and audio recordings. You also need to ask whether the person will be learning the language in a country where it’s spoken as the first language, or whether they will be learning it in their home country. Similarly, the standard of a program or the experience of a teacher will also influence the outcome.
Since these variables will have such a direct impact on how long does it take to learn Spanish, it is simply not possible to provide a simple response to this question. In fact, I have personally been involved with students who after half a year, managed to communicate confidently in conversational Spanish, but I have also met individuals who have attempted to study the Spanish language for a number of years, frankly on an on and off basis, and yet after many years they can barely get by.
Rather than attempting to provide a single answer to this question, I’d prefer to discuss what I feel to be the quickest way of learning Spanish. The most significant step of all, is for a person to take advantage of every possible opportunity regarding interacting in the language they would like to learn, irrespective of what language that could be.
While you certainly do get people who are firm believers in the classroom approach, I actually feel it takes too long unless it is done in association with another method. In my opinion, a self study system of top quality is by a large margin superior in that it permits a student to progress at their own speed rather than being tied down to the average lecture room pace. This is particularly true regarding persons who are really intent on learning a language.
In this situation, I’d suggest a student to opt for a reputable program which includes a selection of audio lessons, multimedia lessons, and of course, written Spanish. In addition, they should select a program which allows for lessons to be downloaded onto a mobile device so that the student can listen on their iPod for example. Remember, if you’re serious about learning a language, then you should shoot at being able to not only speak it and write it, but also to read it and understand it. Unless a program covers all 4 of these areas, it must be avoided or at least, you will require some extra material.
As you most likely have already heard, Rocket Spanish is an intensely popular program, and not without reason. Considering that it addresses all 4 of the area’s discussed, it has gained a reputation for providing scholars with a first[ class foundation for basic Spanish which in turn will ensure that you’re able to communicate confidently in Spanish within a comparatively short space of time. Likewise, Rosetta Stone is known to be just as good, in that it also addresses the 4 areas mentioned above. Furthermore, it is available in two versions so that people can choose between the “Spain” version and the Latin American Spanish version. Judging by testimonials, it seems the Rosetta Stone program takes slightly longer to work thru, which of course means it’ll take you a little longer before you develop conversational Spanish but generally, it ranks right up there with Rocket Spanish. Also, Rosetta Stone is quite a bit costlier.
As you can see, there are too many variables involved for me or anyone else to be able to give a simple answer with regards to “how long does it takes to learn Spanish. However, you’ve probably also gathered by now that there are a few things you can do in order to hurry up the method. In fact, many individuals go as far as using both the programs mentioned with each other to develop conversational talents as quickly as possible. However, unless you are steadily exposed to the Spanish language, no program will be capable of making you one hundred percent fluent. On the other hand, providing you are at an intermediate-to-advanced level, you could consider subscribing to Puerta del Sol Audio magazine which is a Spanish language skills Magazine. Furthermore, you’d be surprised at just how much you can get benefits from joining a Meetup group in your area that focuses on learning the Spanish language.