This is the question I’m asked most often as a language teacher. Inevitably, it leaves me dumbfounded, yet my answer might determine whether someone will or won’t embark on a language learning adventure.
“How long will it take me to learn Spanish?” (You may substitute the language of your choice for Spanish)
I wish there was a formula that I could use to give you a meaningful answer. Since there is no such formula, I can at least give you a list of the variables that would make it up.
1. What’s your native language and which language do you want to learn?
If your native language is English and you want to learn Spanish, you will have an easier time than if you were learning Chinese. Spanish is relatively close to English, so you don’t need to learn a new script, nor do you need to learn a whole new way of looking at the world. For a native Japanese speaker, on the other hand, it will be easier to learn Chinese than to learn Spanish, as he already knows some of the characters and is somewhat familiar with the culture.
2. How many languages have you learned, and which ones?
If you have been monolingual until now, learning a new language will require more of you than of someone who already knows one or two other languages. Multilinguals have already compartmentalized their brain to create a dedicated space for each language. Plus, they acquired the ability to think in different languages, which is essential for them to be operational in each language.
It’s an ability that has little to do with how many grammar rules you know and how many words you have learned - it’s almost like a personality shift. There are techniques that will accelerate this process, but unfortunately, far too little time is spent on this in the traditional language classroom.
Now, if you are learning Spanish and already know French or Italian, you have a better idea of how the language works than if you had previously learned Russian. You’ll recognize some vocabulary, a few sentence structures and be familiar with some idioms, as Spanish, French and Italian are all romance languages.
3. How much time will you spend on your learning?
You realize that learning is ultimately your responsibility. There will obviously be a positive correlation between the time you invest in your learning and your progress. Just showing up for class, regardless of whether it’s a group class or individual coaching, will not do the job. In my opinion, the teacher’s function is to give you outstanding materials to work with, show you how the language works and give you opportunities to practice conversations with a native speaker. Apart from that, you’re on your own!
4. Which learning strategies are you using?
This is a variable that does depend on your teacher. If you are learning with someone who only teaches you grammar rules and asks you to memorize pages of vocabulary, chances are it will take you FOREVER (if not longer!) to master the language. If your teacher knows smart and efficient learning strategies, you may be able to hold conversations in your new language within a few weeks.
If you have a choice, find teachers who are learning a language themselves. They understand what it takes to reorganize a brain to be able to converse in a new language and they’ll relate to your challenges as a student!
5. What level of proficiency are we talking about?
Do you want to travel to the country and be able to buy potatoes at the local market and ask where the bathroom is? Do you need to negotiate a business deal? Do you need to write a dissertation in your new language? These are widely differing skill levels, and reaching them will take more or less time.
In short, there is no straightforward answer to how long it will take you to learn a language.
A guideline that might be helpful comes from the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) in Arlington, VA. This is the institution that trains American diplomats to learn languages for their foreign assignments. The FSI organizes languages into three categories, according to how difficult it is for a native English speaker to learn them.
You need to know that most students at the FSI know one or more other languages, study in classes of six, have 25 hours of class a week and about three to four hours to study on their own every day.
Here are the categories. (The timeframe listed is required to reach a Level 3, or General Professional Proficiency, in Speaking and Reading.)
I. Languages closely related to English (Dutch, French, Spanish, etc.): 23-24 weeks (575-600 class hours)
II. Languages with significant linguistic and/or cultural differences from English (Russian, Persian, Thai, etc.): 44 weeks (1100 class hours)
III. Languages which are exceptionally difficult for native English speakers (Mandarin, Arabic, Japanese, etc.): 88 weeks (about half that time preferably spent studying in-country)
German is listed under “Other Languages” and would take about 30 weeks.
If you’d like to see how the language you’re learning is categorized, click here .
Is the FSI methodology the most efficient around? After looking at one of their courses, I am not entirely convinced, but it is certainly one of the best and most comprehensive approaches–and it seems to work for the diplomats!

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Want to learn a language fast? Nathalie Fairbanks publishes “Language Learning Express” to show you how. Subscribe today and get your FREE e-book “The 7 Language Learning Secrets Your Teachers Can’t Share With
You” at www.SpeakEZLanguages.com.

Technorati Tags: language learning, learn spanish

The number of homes that speak a foreign language in the United States, and in particular Spanish, has risen by 8 million since the year 2000, according to the United States Census Office.

Today, 19.7% of the US population above 5 years old speaks a foreign language, compared with 17.9% in the year 2000.

According to demographic experts, this rise is mainly due to the growth in Latin American immigration in the last few years.

Demographic expert, William Frey, from the Brookings Institution, explained that, “the population has increased in non-traditional areas, such as Delaware, Nevada, Utah and even in Southern Dakota…and this is a tendency that will continue”.

Hispanic people form the largest minority group in the US - 43 million out of a total population of 300 million. An estimated 12 million are illegal immigrants, mostly from Mexico.

Many don’t speak English and have more than one job, working long hours in order to stay in the country and to send money to their families. This makes it difficult for them to learn English.

Conservative groups see the growing popularity of the Spanish language as a threat to the United States’ traditional values and culture.

Yet the number of books, CD’s and all types of products aimed at the Hispanic market is on the rise in the US.

Spanish translations are also a common sight on signposts at airports, government offices and all kinds of shops.

“Being able to speak another language isn’t necessarily a step backwards; becoming bilingual is widely seen as advantageous for a person or country”, said Jeanne Batalova, immigration expert at the Migration Policy Institute (MPI).

The MPI claims that if the US Government were to spend 200 million dollars per year on classes for the next 6 years, it would be able to teach English to all legal immigrants.

“And if it were to spend another 2900 million on teaching illegal immigrants, it would secure the integration of all immigrants into the American way of life”, said Batalova.

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As the article states, nowadays it’s becoming more and more important to learn spanish and other foreign languages. Alan La Rue is the director of WebSpanish, an online school that provides online spanish lessons to students from all over the world.

Technorati Tags: speak a foreign language

I was checking out some news today and found something interesting at spanish.about.com. According to their site,

“If you’re looking to work on your Spanish as you follow this year’s Olympic Games from Beijing, there may be no better place to do it than the Web site of the Spanish television network RTVE. You’ll find all the updates you could hope for, as well as a wide assortment of video clips and live coverage (look for the “en directo” labels).”

This is just another way to try and practice your Spanish. Watching the olympics or any other event or show in television is a great exercize. Try it out. Learn Spanish while having a great time.

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So, you are thinking of learning a foreign language, but you heard all of that stuff from everyone that as an adult it is a totally impossible thing to do. If you did not learn as a kid, forget it.

First, ask yourself why you want to study a foreign language. This step is far more important than it might initially sound, but your motives for learning a language, or anything, in fact, play a major role in your ultimate success. So, that’s the first step: note down the exact reasons why you want to learn a foreign language, focusing on the benefits the skill will give you.

Are you studying for reasons dealing with your profession such as career improvement, or how about a desire to travel to a foreign country. Maybe you met somebody, or want to meet somebody who may not speak English as their native language and you would like to learn theirs. By the way, this is probably the best method of learning a new language as far as motivation goes.

Secondly, you need to decide whether you are going to take a class, or opt for self-study. Classroom study is not as efficient as hiring a personal tutor, but hiring a tutor is going to cost you a lot. Moreover, don’t make the mistake of believing that a tutor is going to do all the work for you. You still need to put in a great deal of study at home, if you are going to get the best from your classes, and make the experience financially worthwhile.

Hiring a tutor, however, is not the only way to learn a language effectively. Once we accept that the language learning process is going to take a lot of personal study anyway, regardless of whether we have a tutor or not, it may be just as efficient, and certainly more cost effective, to opt for a self-study method. One of the major disadvantages involved in choosing this option is the fact that you are going to have to motivate yourself to put in the study hours. This is where your definite motivations in the first step come in. You need a reason to refer to in order to keep up your motivation.

Thirdly, start slowly when you begin to learn, and don’t try to bite off more than you can chew. One of the major reasons people give up on learning language lies in the fact that they have false expectations of being able to learn languages quickly. They believe, because the results are not always as forthcoming as they like, they are incapable of succeeding. This simply isn’t
true. But the hype and questionable claims made by language method creators to sell their products are at fault here.

Do not start too quickly, and just remember to stick with it. Learning a foreign language really is the door and key to learning about another culture, and it is a door worth opening.

I know this may not sound like much, but I thought it was pretty cool. Here is a link to my first Squidoo lens. This one happens to be about Rocket Spanish, but I will make many more in the near future. Go on over and check it out at:

http://www.squidoo.com/rocket-spanish-review-and-demo

Enjoy and see you all during the week.

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Learning Spanish is not just about learning a language, but also some of the culture. Here is some Spanish guitar music I thought was pretty well played.

Enjoy

 

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You can now try out Rocket Spanish FREE with a 6 day email course that they are giving. It really is pretty good and you will get a nice feel for what they have to offer. There are 3 audio lessons in this series, as well as some additinal information on the Rocket Spanish program. Sign up below and afterward, I made a small Rocket Spanish Demo for you. Don’t mind me saying “um” alot, not Stephen Spielberg, but should give you some more decent information.

Enjoy

 

 

 

 

Technorati Tags: rocket spanish, rocket spanish demo

One of the most effective ways of learning Spanish is to practice with a native Spanish speaker, however that may be harder to do depending on where you live. Here are a few ideas for supplementing your learning with computer programs such as Rocket Spanish or Learning Spanish Like Crazy.

One place to look is to try and find a community outreach program or church who are trying to teach English to Spanish speaking immigrants. Volunteer to help them. While you are helping them with their English, they will be helping you with your Spanish. Depending on the English level of the person you are helping, you may have to explain certain concepts in Spanish in order for them to understand. When you are placed in a situation where communication is a priority and you have no choice, you naturally develop your communication skills.

For me living in Mexico, especially when I first arrived, I remember going to the market and buying food, and having to speak to everyone in order to accomplish my task. The Spanish I was speaking soon improved, and I was able to be understood.

Remember that if you don’t practice what you are learning, you will not improve and you will be throwing money away.

Does learn Spanish software really do a decent job of teaching Spanish? Online and off you can find many options. If you go into Bestbuy or another large electronic store, you can find various brands. If they are selling them, probably people are buying them.

I think the reason they are so popular, is that they actually do work as long as the student is motivated. Some of the options out there are:

Rocket Spanish

Rosetta Stone Spanish

Tell Me More Spanish

Learning Spanish Like Crazy

Visual Link Spanish

Transparent Languages

Prices can vary from about $99 all the way up to $499 for a large very complete package with all levels represented. All of these programs use a total immersion, user interactive method for teaching Spanish. No more old school grammar study and vocabulary lists. Too boring. Just remember to try and include other types of activities in your study program.

     

So yesterday was Cinco de Mayo here in Mexico. Many people confuse it with Mexican Independence day, but that falls on September 15. No, Cinco de Mayo is the battle of Puebla against the French Army. In 1862, a Mexican army of about 4000 defeated an army of French and traitor Mexican army of about 8000. As a result of this defeat the Emperor of France Nepoleon III, who hated the United States by the way, was not able to keep supplying the confederate armies in the US during the Civil War allowing the north to build up a very large army and win the war against the south, so the battle of Puebla had a huge effect not only on Mexico but the US as well.

Here in Mexico, as well as the United States, celebrations are all around and some reinactments of the battle can be found in many places of the country. This year, there was a large “puente” which literally means “bridge” which happens when a national holiday occurs a day or two before the weekend, so it is like having an extended weekend vacation. This year the puente started on Thursday May 1st, which is labor day here and today Tuesday, everyone is back to work.

I’ll have some more Spanish learning stuff tomarrow, I just wanted to do something a bit different today. Enjoy!