I am often asked, “how long does it take to learn Spanish?” I’m afraid this is basically a million-dollar question and one for which there is no common answer.
Unfortunately there are simply too many variables involved, in that so much depends on how much effort an individual is willing to put into learning the language, and also which technique or program they are going to be using. Add to that the fact that while some individuals may opt to use the services of a private mentor, others will choose a classroom environment instead. In fact, some people will rather select using one or other home study program which gets use out of books, multimedia, software, and audio recordings. You also need to ask yourself whether the person will be learning the language in a country where it’s spoken as the first language, or whether they’ll be learning it in their home country. Additionally, the standard of a program or the experience of a teacher will also influence the result.
Because 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 single answer to this question. In reality, I have personally known scholars who after half a year, were able to communicate confidently in conversational Spanish, but I have also met people who have studied the Spanish language for a period of years, frankly on an on and off basis, and yet after many years they can barely get by.
Instead of attempt to provide a simple response to this question, I’d rather discuss what I feel to be the quickest way of learning Spanish. The most important step of all, is for a student to seize every possible opportunity with regards to interacting in the language they want to learn, regardless of what language that might be.
While you certainly do get those who are firm believers in the lecture room approach, I actually feel it takes too long unless it is done in association with another method. In my experience, a self study system of high quality is easily superior in that it permits a student to move forward at their own speed rather than being tied down to the average classroom pace. This is particularly true with regards to scholars who are truly serious about learning a language.
In this example, I might suggest a person to select a reputable program which includes a selection of audio lessons, multimedia lessons, and of course, written Spanish. Additionally, 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 instance. Remember, if you’re serious about learning a language, then you should shoot at having the ability 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 needs to be avoided or at least, you’ll require some further material.
As you probably have already heard, Rocket Spanish is an intensely favored program, and not without reason. Considering that it addresses all 4 of the area’s discussed, it has gained a reputation for providing students with a top foundation for basic Spanish which in turn will make sure that you are able to speak confidently in Spanish inside a comparatively short space of time. Similarly, Rosetta Stone is considered to be just as good, in that it also addresses the 4 areas mentioned above. Furthermore, it is available in two versions so that individuals can choose between the “Spain” version and the Latin American Spanish version. Judging from 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 in general, 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 in a position to give a simple response with regards to “how long does it takes to learn Spanish. However, you have doubtless also gathered by this point that there are a few things you can do in order to speed up the process. In fact, many scholars go as far as using both the programs discussed with each other to develop conversational skills as quickly as possible. However, unless you are steadily exposed to the Spanish language, no program will be capable of making you one hundred % smooth. On the other hand, providing you are at an intermediate-to-advanced level, you might consider subscribing to Puerta del Sol Audio magazine which is a Spanish language skills Magazine. Furthermore, you’d be stunned at quite how much you can get benefits from joining a Meetup group in your area that is focused on learning the Spanish language.
