The FSI Timeline
The closer a language is to your native language, the faster you will learn it, according to the FSI research. Thus they have classified their findings into five basic language groups based on how similar the languages were to English, which determined how long it took learners to achieve general professional proficiency or higher. Fortunately for German students, this language is classified as a second language:
German is classified as a language similar to English by the FSI, and it is placed in Category I: To achieve upper intermediate fluency, 30 weeks (750 hours) of training is required.
So how long will it take to learn German?
This is usually one of the most asked questions by German learners. Unfortunately, however, there is no straightforward answer to it. Learning a language is dependent on different individual factors. A few of these factors are Knowledge of English, support at home, support in the home country, your individual learning technique, online learning resources employed, study time dedicated, interest, motivation, attitude, your learning methods online, offline, with or without a teacher, immersive or non-immersive, and so many more factors that may be personal to an individual such as responsibilities, age, disabilities, financial support etcetera.
Bilinguals find it much easier to pursue a 3rd language because they’re naturally more familiar with the ways of learning, effort and time to be invested, the methods that work best, as a result of being exposed to previously learnt language(s). Fluency and knowledge in one language helps build fluency and expertise in another.
Experience learning a language before
It is pertinent for a learner to know and understand what makes up the language to begin with and how it differs from the other languages. If you’ve already studied foreign grammar, memorised vocabulary once before, taken note of different sounds previously, and looked up different letters, your mind is well trained in the direction to know what to expect when confronted with a replacement language. ‘You know the tricks of the trade’ – so as to say! Thus there are fewer surprises, lesser disappointments, faster bounce backs and learning is faster and better.
Knowledge of a language with similar roots
What’s more interesting and fruitful is to learn a language similar to your own native tongue. It can help you save significant time and effort, be a cause of heightened interest and motivation, when learning alphabets, pronunciation, grammar rules, and vocabulary. Languages with similar roots are easier to pick up and take less time to learn. As an example, those who know English can master German faster as they both are Indo-European languages that originate from the same language family of Germanic languages. Did you know? English speakers are aware of plenty of German words even before they start studying the German Language. These words could either be cognates or loan words. Thus German shares more similarities than one can even think of, such as German vocabulary is 40% similar to English vocabulary or the pronunciation is also more straightforward! Grammar offers easily recognisable patterns to master and along with a few tips and tricks, German really becomes easier for the learner.
Your Learning Methods
Your individual method of language learning also has an impact on how quickly you learn it. If you only learn a language in a classroom setting, it will probably take you a little longer to learn. However, if you are exposed to German outside of classes, you may be able to learn faster. Reading, listening to the radio, music, podcasts, audio clips or eBooks, apps, writing, speaking, watching movies, YouTube videos, visiting a German-speaking country can all help you learn faster. So how else do you accelerate learning? By recognizing and pursuing the best way that suits you! So what are you, a visual or an aural learner? Is your learning limited due to pursuing self-learning via apps only? Are you attending any classes? If yes, are they moderated by a teacher who can clear doubts for you, students with who you can practise speaking? Or are these recorded classes again with limited scope? Are you learning German in an immersive or stand-alone environment? Do you give anyone to practise your speaking skills with? However, keep in mind that the quality of your research is more important than the quantity. Experiment with immersion!
How much time are you willing to dedicate 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. You could be learning German on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. If you are able to invest 2 hours per day into language learning and 2 for practising, through grammar study, expanding vocabulary, watching videos, or reading, undoubtedly learn faster than those who only attend weekly classes.
What’s the reason that compels you to learn German? Or is there one in the first place?
Do you have a relevant strong reason to learn German or it is just out of a let me do it attitude? Your attitude and motivation play a bigger role in how fast you learn German. You will be more receptive to learning if you have a necessity to learn it and you approach it with a positive attitude. Do you see it as a worthy and useful opportunity to broaden your horizons? Motivation is the most important reason why some people give up.
Do you have a reason to remind yourself why you even started to learn German, or how it will improve your life in future? Only the necessity or reason can help you to stay motivated and, speed up the time to learn it.
Common European Framework Guided Learning Hours
In the field of linguistics, realistic estimates look at how many hours it takes to learn a language like German. For example, the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages employs the “Guided Learning Hours” framework to calculate the total amount of classroom time required to achieve a B2 (high intermediate) level. It is assumed that learners will spend two hours of independent study time for every hour of classroom time. In the end, this amounts to between 1,000 and 1,200 hours.
Some people have a terrible misconception that German is an impossible language to learn, with endless compound words and the concept of noun genders intimidating enough for people to abandon German for good.
However, German isn’t hard to learn as people have hyped it.
