To be honest, there is no simple answer. Learning a language is a complex process that varies from person to person depending on a variety of factors. Let’s take a look at some of the factors that influence your German learning:
Language Learning Experiences in the Past – Bilinguals find it easier to learn a third language because being accustomed to learning grammar, memorising vocabulary, listening to different sounds, and looking at different letters in a different language allows them to acquire fluency and skills in another language relatively quickly. Apart from that, when confronted with a new language, your mind knows exactly what to expect or be prepared for; as a result, there are fewer surprises and language learning becomes easier and faster.
The German Language – Learning a language that is similar to your native language can help you save time learning the alphabet, pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary. Languages with similar roots are generally easier and take less time to learn. Now, those of you who speak English as your first language, consider yourself fortunate. Did you know that even before they begin studying German, English speakers already know some German words? There are many words that are extremely similar such as words for the days of the week, months of the year, some seasons, some relatives and many others. This is because of their shared roots, history, and evolution, almost all European languages share many words with English. These words, known as cognates, make it much easier for people who speak a language with similar roots, such as English, to learn German.
Your Learning Methods- If your language learning is limited to the classroom, it will likely take you a little longer to learn; however, if you are exposed to German outside of classes, it can significantly reduce the time required to learn it. There could be nothing better than having 40% of German vocabulary similar to English vocabulary to study besides easily recognisable patterns!
How Much Time You Devote to Learning – The length of time it takes you to learn German is also determined by how much time you plan to devote to it. This could be done on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. Learners who are willing to devote an hour per day to language learning—whether through grammar study, memorising vocabulary, watching a movie, or reading a book—learn significantly faster than those who only attend a weekly class.
Your Attitude and Motivation – How quickly you learn German is also affected by your attitude and motivation. If you approach learning with a positive attitude and see it as a fun and fascinating opportunity to broaden your horizons, you will be more open to learning. Remind yourself why you want to learn German, how it will improve your life, and all the benefits that can result from doing so. This can help you stay motivated and, as a result, shorten the time it takes to learn it.
