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How Long Does It Take To Learn Spanish?

June 26th, 2010

I am often asked, “how long does it take to learn Spanish?” I’m afraid this is essentially a million dollar question and one for which there is no single response.

Sadly there are simply far too many variables concerned, in that so much depends on how much effort a person is ready to put into studying the language, and also which technique or program they’ll be using. Add to that the incontrovertible fact that while some scholars may opt to use the services of a personal mentor, others will choose a classroom environment instead. In reality, some people will rather opt for using one or other home study program which makes use of books, multimedia, software, and audio recordings. You also have to ask yourself whether the scholar will be learning the language in a place where it’s spoken as the native language, or whether they’ll be learning it in their home country. Furthermore, the standard of a program or the expertise of a teacher will also influence the result.

Because 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 response to this query. In reality, I have personally met students who after six months, were able to communicate confidently in conversational Spanish, but I have also met folks who have studied the Spanish language for a period of years, albeit on an on and off basis, and yet after many years they can hardly get by.

Rather than attempt to supply a simple response 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 would like to learn, regardless of what language that could be.

While you definitely do get those who are firm believers in the school room approach, I feel it takes too long unless it is done in association with another method. In my experience, a self study strategy of good quality is by far superior in that it permits a student to move forward at their own pace instead of being tied down to the average lecture room pace. This is particularly true with regards to scholars who are really intent on learning a language.

In this example, I’d suggest a person to go for a credible program which includes a range of audio lessons, multimedia lessons, and naturally, written Spanish. Additionally, 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 as an example. Remember, if you’re serious about learning a language, then you should aim for having the ability to not only speak it and read it, but also to write it and understand it. Unless a program covers all 4 of these areas, it should be avoided or at least, you will require some additional material.

As you’ll have already heard, Rocket Spanish is a highly well-liked program, and not without reason. Considering that it addresses all four of the area’s mentioned, it has gained a name for providing students with a-class foundation for basic Spanish which in turn will ensure that you’re able to speak confidently in Spanish within a comparatively short space of time. Likewise, Rosetta Stone is known to be nearly as good, in that it also addresses the four areas mentioned 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 seems the Rosetta Stone program takes a little longer to work through, 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 considerably costlier.

As you can see, there are too many variables concerned for me or anyone else to be able to give a single answer with regards to “how long does it takes to learn Spanish. However, you’ve doubtless also gathered by this time that there are many things you can do in order to speed up the method. In fact, many individuals go as far as using both the programs discussed in conjunction with each other 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 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 abilities Magazine. Similarly, you’d be shocked at quite how much you can get benefits from joining a Meetup group in your neighborhood that focuses on learning the Spanish language.

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