How Long Does it Take to Learn Another Language?

Learning another language can take years to become truly fluent, but this is just an estimate and many things factor into the equation. Every person is different, and depending on your background you can become fluent in a shorter period of time if you truly dedicate the time to study, practice speaking with fluent native speakers, and choose the right language for you or your child to learn.  Working with a tutor always is beneficial along with setting goals to learn the language in a certain time frame. Understanding that learning a language also has its different stages will keep you focused and consistent with the process. Finding enjoyable and effective ways to go about the learning process, by making learning a language fun, can truly help shape the way you learn another language.

Second language acquisition is a process in which the student learns another language that is not his or her first language. Choosing a language close to your native language can shorten the time it takes to learn another language. Also choosing a language that will benefit you in life and  business later on is another motivational tool to encourage learning and dedication till greater fluency is obtained.  Learning a second language follows roughly similar rules as learning a first language, as far as learning the grammatical features of that language are concerned. Learning a second language at an early age will only enhance the possibility of successful learning. Memory also is a factor in the process of learning a language and how it is stored for use.

So although no one can truly give an exact time it takes to learn a second language, experts say all the factors that influence the time frame can be shortened by practice, dedication, memory, making it fun, and the process in which it is learned.

How to Choose What Language to Learn

English is one of the main languages used world wide in business, science and for communicating internationally. If you live in the United States it is imperative that you know English, and if you are in another country it is good for you to know it for the reasons already stated, including access to books, magazines, movies and websites all over the world.

Spanish is the second most used language world wide for business. It is easy to learn. It is also a logical and useful language to learn and is on top of many lists of languages to learn. Its very handy for traveling. Many languages are similar and there can be the added advantage of being able to pick out words of other languages when knowing Spanish. There is also a wealth of books, movies and websites in Spanish. For those living in or applying for a job outside of the USA, knowing Spanish can be a great advantage in seeking a job.

French is a very romantic language to know, but can be difficult to learn. It can open doors for travel and give an advantage to many jobs worldwide, while giving you an advantage in gastronomy, literature, films, music and architecture.

Mandarin is a language much harder to read and write, than to speak. It is one of the languages of the future with China being a world economic leader. Many Chinese cinemas are to be found and there are many Chinese people in the world and the USA to practice with.

German is an important European language, that can be very difficult to learn. It has a wealth of cultural material and gives you access to most of Europe and its great economy.

Italian is one of the beautiful languages of the world and a must for art lovers. It is an easy language to fall in love with and the Italian culture also. It has similarities in vocabulary and grammar with Spanish, French, and Portuguese. It is also a language not too difficult to learn.

Japanese is a fascinating language with a fascinating culture behind it, but it may be one of the most difficult languages to learn due to a very complex grammar system and way of writing. Although Japan has the second larges world economy, so if considering future jobs out of the USA you may want to consider Japanese.

Russian is a fascinating language a little less difficult to learn than one might expect. It allows for travel in Russia and ex soviet countries with ease. There is also an enormous amount of reading material to be found in Russian.

Arabic has a united writing system based on the Koran, even if there are many dialects. It presents you with unique skills and advantages to archeological facts and historic information.


Each language can have its advantages and of course when it comes to science and medicine Latin is a must. Other languages such as Korean, Thai, Cantonese, Dutch, Portuguese, Turkish, Persian, Swedish and so many more can be fun and exciting to learn!

Study Tips for Learning Language

Some Study Tips That Will Help You When Learning a New Language 

1. Learn vocabulary: it is one of the essential elements of communication. The more words you know, the more you understand and the more you can say.

2. Practice: the use of a language always leads to better knowledge of it. Practice speaking and using it when ever possible. Say words out loud even when just studying on your own. Read aloud instead of just mentally.

3. Homework : do it in a way that it helps you practice and learn. Look up words you don't know. Finding the correct answers will help you learn things in the right way and keep you from guessing. Learn the proper forms and use them to help in your learning process.

4. Identify your learning style: use what helps you learn the best. We learn in different ways. Knowing how best you learn will help you be more efficient and will accelerate your pace of learning. If you are a visual learner, write things down and try other ways of learning to accentuate your language experience.

5. Expose yourself to language: put yourself into situations where you might need to use the language or listen to it. Find friends that speak the language, rent a movie in that language, or go to chats on the internet. This will help with fluency.

6. Set realistic expectations: it's natural to feel a bit uncomfortable with a new language. It is okay to not understand everything and not know everything. That is why you are learning. It takes a while for your ear to begin to pick up certain sounds and words and to begin to accustom yourself to the differences between the language you are learning and your first language. The only way to learn a new language is to practice!

7. Break study into shorter learning periods: Many people learn more effectively when they do not overwhelm themselves with too much information at once. Use blocks of time so you will not frustrate yourself and give yourself time to practice in fun ways.

8. Study with others: form study groups with friends or classmates. Using other classmates to help you study is a great way to practice another language.

10 Good Reasons to Learn Another Language

"Everyone speaks English so why should I learn another language?" I have heard this question from people before, so I am going to give you the same answers I gave them.


1. Learning another language opens up opportunities in the world market that you might not have otherwise. Whatever your career goals may be, it can’t hurt to know another language, on the contrary many employers not only reward an employee that has language skills, many require it for certain positions. 


2. It allows you to learn more about your native language. Knowing another language can actually help you have a stronger vocabulary and a better understanding of your native language. It enhances learning skills and memory.


3. You are better equipped to adapt to a rapidly changing world. It helps you to have a global understanding of different cultures ideas and in turn gives you an advantage.  


4. It helps your cognitive learning abilities. Knowing another language helps in learning, problem solving,  and doing better in school in general. Students that know another language tend to score higher on standardize tests. Children who have studied another language at the elementary level do better in reading, language, math, in their native language. They are more creative in general and have higher conceptualizing skills.


5. It improves your chances of getting into the college of your choice. Knowing another language can give you an advantage when it comes to applying to the college or university you wish to attend. It can make you a more competitive applicant even for graduate school. 


6. An appreciation of learning new languages can help you to value international music, movies, and literature. So many wonderful cultural opportunities abound for those that can experience other languages, even if you do not speak them all. The original language of the art form is beautiful, and understanding it in the language it was written in is preferred to the translated version, because you may not get the full flavor, style, or uniqueness of the piece.


7. It gives you options to study abroad. The competition to be considered for a study abroad position can be intense, and knowing more than one language can help tremendously. Even the willingness to learn another language or study in a country that does not speak English can be a benefit toward studying abroad. 


8. It helps make lifelong friends that you might not otherwise have made when you meet people that speak a different language than you. Establishing connections with other language speakers whether through business, travel, or studies can lead to wonderful friendships.


9. Knowing to speak another language will make travel so much easier and fun. Knowing even a few phrases can be very helpful when you travel to another country. Most people appreciate the fact that you tried to learn their language and are more willing to help when they see you have cared enough to learn about their language before you came to visit their country.


10. It can open up understanding of yourself and your own culture. It truly opens the door to learning more of your own culture by not limiting your perspective. Intercultural experiences help give a better awareness and appreciation of your life.

First and Second Language Acquisition

First Language Acquisition

Language development and acquisition begins at a very young age in children. A person begins learning language by mimicry, as it is spoken, then later moves from simple to complex. All of us start life without language, but by the time we are four months old most babies discriminate speech sounds. Baby talk, or babbling, might not sound like language to us, but it is the way we learn to speak.

Language usually begins by simple words associated with things or faces, but as babies grow into toddlers the words gain meaning and they are connected with the words formed. As we grow we create new associations to words and vocabulary increases as we learn new words.

It is said that babies can distinguish speech patterns of their mothers voice even before they are born. Pre-verbal vocalizations are used after birth, and that leads to learning their first language from parents or caretakers without conscious instruction. 

Not all linguists agree on the exact way language is learned but most agree that biological, environmental, and social influences affect language acquisition and it is unique to humans. To speak requires a vocal apparatus as well as a nervous system with specific capabilities. Some say that the slow development of the prefrontal cortex in humans allows us to learn language. Social interaction with people who vocalize is crucial for developing language.

Second Language Acquisition

This is a process where people learn a second language not their native language.  The term bilingual usually refers to someone speaking more than one language, but some experts say it is only achieved by growing up naturally speaking both languages even if one is dominant. Not many who learn to speak a second language speak as a true native speaker. Heritage speakers learn two languages as they grow and even if not completely fluent in one language, they still have an advantage over monolinguals or second language speakers as far as language acquisition goes. This is a big argument in teaching a child a second language at the earliest age possible.

The order in which a second language is acquired is roughly similar to that of a first language although not as stable, due in part to the mental process or language transfer. This is the process of using what you know of your first language and applying the rules to a second or third language. At all levels, transfer is an important factor in learning another language. Receiving input, interacting, and meaningful output allows the learner to begin the process of acquiring a new language.  How a person analyses or connects sentences for meaning plays a roll in how they learn another language. A gradual process of learning is similar to learning other cognitive skills. 

Storage of a second language influences how it is learned.  In other words if a person has a good short-term memory they are better at learning and organizing a new language quickly. This helps to show why some people have more aptitude for learning second languages than others, but does not mean the others con not learn.

There are also learning and communicating strategies in learning a second language. Communicative strategies may not affect the learning strategies, but the learning strategies do seem to affect the way we communicate in a second language.  If the process of learning a second language is a positive one, it motivates a learner to use it more often and in turn they acquire a second language quicker and with more proficiency.

The Advantages of Learning another Language in Elementary School

Studies have shown that children who learn a language before adolescence are much more likely to have a native-like pronunciation. Much of the reason for this proficiency is attributed by experts to the physiological changes that occur in the maturing brain as a child enters puberty. This is of course with the knowledge that the more years a child can devote to learning a new language, the more competent he or she will become. Exposing them to new language at a young age is the best time. Young children are uniquely suited to learning a second language. The developing brain is hard-wired to acquire language. Never again will it be this natural or this easy!

What Are The Benefits of Knowing a Second Language?

What Are the Benefits of Knowing a Second Language?

Students of foreign languages score statistically higher on standardized tests conducted in English. In its 1992 report, College Bound Seniors: The 1992 Profile of SAT and Achievement Test Takers, the College Entrance Examination Board reported that students who averaged 4 or more years of foreign language study scored higher on the verbal section of the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) than those who had studied 4 or more years in any other subject area. In addition, the average mathematics score for individuals who had taken 4 or more years of foreign language study was identical to the score of those who had studied the same number of years of mathematics. These findings are consistent with College Board profiles for previous years.

Students of foreign languages have access to a greater number of career possibilities and develop a deeper understanding of their own and other cultures. Some evidence also suggests that children who receive second language instruction are more creative and better at solving complex problems. The benefits to society are many. Americans fluent in other languages enhance our economic competitiveness abroad, improve global communication, and maintain our political and security interests.