In one of my Tiny Bits editions, which you can find over here, I talked about how I think learning a language is very much about memorizing words, as much as it’s about acting and imitating others. Native speakers all have their own little habits of expressing themselves through words, and those habits can be observed, closely read, and absorbed. That’s one of the reasons why I love learning languages, as it tells you a lot about people in a given context, and why they behave the way they do.
In this post, I’ll be answering a few language-learning questions that I’ve received from my readers over the years.
Learning languages – the do’s and the dont’s
How long does it take to learn a language?
How long it takes to learn a language really depends on so many personal factors, and I’ve found that it’s not always a clear-cut answer. For some, it can take months to start feeling comfortable with basic conversations, while for others, it may take years to achieve fluency. I’ve learned that the key isn’t just about the hours you put in, but how connected you are to the language—whether it’s through conversations with native speakers, immersing yourself in culture, or simply finding joy in the learning process.
On average, it can take anywhere from several months to a few years to become fluent. For easier languages (like Spanish or Dutch for English speakers), it might take around 600-750 hours of study. For more complex languages (like Chinese or Arabic), it can take 2,200+ hours. Consistent practice and immersion can speed up the process!
If you’re consistent and patient with yourself, you’ll notice steady progress over time. So, rather than focusing on a set timeline, I think it’s important to embrace the journey, celebrate small victories, and remember that language learning is an ongoing adventure.
How to learn a language fast?
First of all, I’d recommend to start just because you love it. Make it fun, because it is fun. There are no shortcuts, even though there are some tools I’ll share with you in this section that can help make your progress a bit faster.
If you’re just starting out with a new language, learning the 100 most common words first is a total no-brainer. Personally, I’m all about the 80/20 rule, also known as the Pareto Principle. If you haven’t heard of it, the basic idea is that 80% of your results come from just 20% of your input. It means that a relatively small portion of your vocabulary (around 20%) is used most frequently in conversations (about 80% of the time). In this post I’ve published a list with the 100 most used words in Spanish.
Being exposed to the language you’re trying to learn is often seen as the ultimate way to learn a foreign language. But what if you’re in your own country, not being exposed to it everyday? I’ve been using Italki.com for a while now. You can meet people online and talk with them for only 5 dollars an hour. It’s a very nice way to meet people and practice more. (Note: I’ve no affiliation with them).
Also, condition your troat to make the sounds. As a dutch we’re not used to most Arabic slang. The nuances are small, and it requires a bit of training to say the words the way you want to.
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