Nowadays, it seems that you are forever bumping into someone who wants to know how long does it take to learn Spanish. Sadly, this is a question for which there is no simple answer, just because there are far too many variables.
As an example, you must take an individual’s language ability under consideration, and also whether or not a student will be prepared to put in the required amount of effort. Also, the answer would depend mostly on which Spanish language learning program the person choses to use. Similarly, the time period it takes to learn how to speak Spanish would also depend on factors such as whether the student will be using non-public tutoring, or whether they will be studying in a class environment. Also, does the student be using one of the numerous home study programs and will they be studying in their home country or in the country where Spanish is spoken as a main language. Above all, one needs to consider how good the teacher or the program is.
Because these variables will have such a direct result on how long does it take to learn Spanish, it is just not feasible to provide a simple answer to this question. In fact, I have personally known people who after six months, managed to communicate confidently in conversational Spanish, but I have also met folks who have attempted to study the Spanish language for a few years, frankly on an on and off basis, and yet after many years they can barely get by.
Instead of attempt to supply a single answer 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 person to seize every available opportunity with regards to interacting in the language they want to learn, irrespective of what language that might be.
First, the classroom environment takes far too long if it is the only method being used. I much favor a good quality home study system that will permit you to progress at your own pace and if you are truly serious about learning the language, it’ll be at a much quicker speed than the classroom will achieve.
Pick up a good quality interactive program that includes written Spanish, audio lessons, and multimedia lessons. The audio lessons should be in a position to be downloaded onto a mobile device such as an iPod or iPod like listening device. If you’re going to learn the language, you will want to be able to read it, write it, speak it, and understand it ( listening abilities ), If your program doesn’t address all of these areas, it shouldn’t be used by itself, but will require supplemental material.
Rocket Spanish is for example a highly suggested program, and of course, it addresses all four of the areas just mentioned, and as such, it is obviously one of the best programs out there for providing a solid base of basic conversational Spanish. In addition to this program, Rosetta Stone is also highly respected and like with Rocket Spanish, Rosetta Stone also addresses all four areas. Furthermore, this program also offers two different versions and you can choose between South American Spanish and the “Spain” version. On the downside, Rosetta Stone is slightly more costly than Rocket Spanish and it’ll likely take a little while longer before you develop a suitable level of conversational Spanish, but as far as Spanish language programs are concerned they are both good programs.
Although one cannot say precisely how long does it take to learn Spanish, there are several things you can do in order to lessen the time it takes. If you are truly serious and you are capable of a certain quantity of self discipline, then both the programs discussed above could be used side by side to develop your Spanish language talents in as short a time as possible. You do however need to bear in mind that no language course, irrespective of how good it may be, will be ready to teach you how to talk Spanish as fluently as what a native Spanish speaking person does. The sole way you will ever accomplish such a feat, is if you are continuously exposed to the language on a once a day basis. However, many individuals have found that subscribing to Puerta del Sol Audio Magazine or Think Spanish Audio Magazine have to some extent helped them develop their listening and comprehension skills, though it must be discussed that this only applies to those that are at an intermediate or advanced level. In addition, you may want to consider joining a Meetup group in your neighborhood that focuses on studying Spanish.
