How Long Does It Take to Learn a Language?
The US Foreign Service estimates 600-750 hours for 'easy' languages (Spanish, French, Italian) and 2,200+ hours for 'hard' languages (Mandarin, Arabic, Japanese) to reach professional proficiency. At 1 hour daily, that is 2-3 years for easy languages, 6+ years for hard ones. Basic conversational ability comes much faster - perhaps 200-400 hours of focused practice. Use the Date Difference Calculator to plan your learning timeline.
Key Takeaways
- Language difficulty depends on how similar it is to your native language.
- Previous language learning makes subsequent languages easier, especially related ones.
- Children learn pronunciation more natively but adults can learn grammar and vocabulary faster.
Explanation
Language difficulty depends on how similar it is to your native language. For English speakers, Category I languages (Spanish, French, Portuguese, Italian) share vocabulary and grammar patterns. Category IV languages (Mandarin, Japanese, Korean, Arabic) have completely different writing systems, sounds, and structures.
FSI estimates are for professional working proficiency (able to discuss complex topics). Conversational ability (travel, basic discussions) requires less time - perhaps 200-400 hours. Reading proficiency comes before speaking fluency because listening and speaking require faster processing. The first 100 hours often show the most dramatic progress.
Effective learning includes: consistent daily practice (20-30 minutes daily beats weekly cramming), immersion (consuming media, speaking with natives), spaced repetition for vocabulary, and focusing on practical usage over grammar rules. Adults can learn languages effectively despite myths about 'critical periods.'
Things to Know
- Previous language learning makes subsequent languages easier, especially related ones.
- Children learn pronunciation more natively but adults can learn grammar and vocabulary faster.
- Apps alone are insufficient - human interaction is essential for speaking proficiency.