For native speakers of other languages, the process of picking up a new tongue is rarely easy. In addition to the challenges involved in learning vocabulary and grammar, learners often struggle with issues such as pronunciation and fluency. Although learning a new language is a long journey, it takes persistence, patience, and a positive mindset, but it’s worth it!
Similarly, learning Spanish is no easy feat. It’s a process that will take time, effort, and dedication to master. But how much time exactly? How long does it take to learn Spanish?
Learning Spanish can take quite a lot of time, depending on where you’re starting from and what your personal learning style is like. It also depends on several other factors, such as your current knowledge of the language, the methods you use to study, and your commitment to practice and review. But that doesn’t mean it’s impossible! Regardless of your circumstances, learning Spanish is an achievable goal. With the right amount of dedication, willingness to practice, and patience, you can learn Spanish in no time at all.
Keep reading for more helpful information about how long it takes to learn Spanish and start speaking it fluently!
How Long Does It Take to Learn Spanish?
Here we’ll give you a rough idea of the time it takes to learn Spanish. Well, it takes around 4 to 6 months to learn the basics of Spanish on your own, if you spend one hour on it daily. When learning Spanish in a classroom, you can expect to finish a one-semester Spanish course in 10 weeks. To go from beginner level to fluent speaker, it may take you around 1 to 6 years. So, how long does it take to learn Spanish exactly? It depends on how often you study Spanish, where you learn it from, and what method you use to study. As we’ll discuss below, there are lots of ways to accelerate the learning process and shorten the amount of time it takes to learn Spanish.
How Long Does It Take to Learn Spanish On Your Own?
There are certain factors that make it more difficult to learn Spanish when studying on your own. These include the following:
- You will have fewer resources available to you, like books and courses, which can help guide you through the process.
- You will have less structure, which can make it difficult to stay motivated.
- You will have fewer people to speak the language with, which makes it harder to practice.
When learning Spanish on your own, you have to find your own resources and create your own schedule and system. This can be a huge challenge, especially when you’re a beginner and don’t have a ton of experience with foreign languages. The most important thing is to be patient with yourself and have realistic expectations.
It’ll take you around 4 to 6 months to learn the basics of Spanish on your own if you spend one hour on it daily. But, to reach the level of conversational fluency, the learning span may extend up to 8 to 12 months. You can shorten the time it takes to learn Spanish when studying on your own by choosing the right method and setting yourself up for success. Make sure you have the right resources, such as books and online sources, and set aside a specific amount of time each day to study and practice Spanish.
How Long Does It Take to Learn Spanish Online?
Learning Spanish online has several distinct advantages over learning Spanish on your own. When studying Spanish online, you have access to tons of resources, like interactive lessons, audio content, and grammar guides. You also have the opportunity to connect with other learners through social media, discussion boards, and message boards. So, it takes relatively less time to learn Spanish by joining online programs than learning it on your own.
Most online language learning programs offer courses of 3 to 6 months. This time is enough to become fluent in Spanish if you spend 3 to 4 hours learning daily. Remember! When choosing a program, look for one with a large community of learners and a variety of interactive features. You want a program that offers plenty of resources, such as audio, videos, exercises, and self-guided lessons. You also want to make sure the program offers the level of Spanish you’re hoping to learn, whether that’s beginner, intermediate, or advanced Spanish.
How Long Does It Take to Learn Spanish With Duolingo?
Duolingo is one of the most popular online programs for learning Spanish. The program includes various bite-sized lessons, interactive exercises, and a virtual community of learners. By using the mobile app or computer program, you can learn Spanish from anywhere at any time. Learning at a moderate pace takes roughly 45 hours to progress through level 1 in Duolingo.
Duolingo is best for beginners because it offers a wide variety of Spanish lessons, from beginner to advanced. But, it may not be suitable for you if you want to achieve a level of conversational fluency in Spanish. The program, however, is designed to be accessible to everyone, so it’s free to sign up and use.
Factors That Influence the Time It Takes to Learn Spanish
When you’re trying to determine how long it takes to learn Spanish, it’s important to take your current level of proficiency in other languages into account. If you already know one or more other languages, this will make learning a new language much easier. Languages that are related to each other, i.e., French and Spanish, are much easier to pick up than unrelated languages, like Japanese. Here are some other important factors that directly influence the time it takes to learn Spanish:
Your Native Language
Your native language greatly determines how long it will take you to learn Spanish. For example, if you already know how to speak a related language, it’ll be easier to learn a new language. This is known as “language transfer,” which refers to the ability to apply knowledge from one language to another. Essentially, if you already know how to speak another language, you’ll find it easier to learn a third language. For example, if you already know how to speak French, learning Spanish will be easier for you than it would be for someone who knows only English. This is because you already understand many of the rules and structures of the French language. And, because your brain is wired to learn languages in this way, you can apply this knowledge when learning a new language.
Your Interest and Confidence in Learning Spanish
If you’re excited to learn Spanish and have a genuine interest in the language, you’re more likely to stay motivated throughout the process. This is important because motivation is key when learning a new language. You’ll have to make time to study every day, which can be a challenge, especially when you’re just starting out.
There are two types of motivation: intrinsic motivation and extrinsic motivation. Intrinsic motivation is when you’re driven by an internal desire to learn a new language. You’re excited about the journey of learning a new language and the benefits it can bring to your life. Extrinsic motivation is when you’re driven by external factors like impressing your boss, getting a promotion, or impressing your friends or significant other by learning a new language.
Number of Hours a Day You Spend With Spanish
If you’re studying in a classroom or online program, your learning time will be pre-determined. However, if you’re studying Spanish on your own, you can determine how many hours a day you want to study. It’s important to set aside time every day to study and practice Spanish, even if it’s just for a half hour. This is because the more you study, the faster you’ll progress. You might think you can’t learn a new language in a few hours a day, but research shows that’s not true. According to the FSI research, it takes around 30 hours of studying to start to retain information and between 480 and 720 hours to become fluent in a new language.
Your Connection With the Spanish Community
There is nothing more beneficial to learning a new language than speaking it. The best way to accelerate the process of learning Spanish is to engage with the Spanish-speaking community. This means making an effort to speak Spanish whenever you can. This could include: Making friends with Spanish speakers, joining a Spanish club, or taking part in an exchange program. Whenever you can, try asking people to speak Spanish with you. If they don’t understand what you’re saying, they’ll likely try to respond in Spanish. And when you speak Spanish with others, you’re actively using the language, which helps you retain what you’ve learned and progress faster. It means, by engaging with the Spanish-speaking community, you can accelerate the process of learning Spanish and cut down the amount of time it takes to learn.
How Can You Learn Spanish Quickly
There are several different ways you can learn Spanish quickly. But the best way to accelerate the process of learning is to find a method that works best for you. Make sure you take your current level of proficiency into account and choose a method that’s accessible to you, such as a program, an online class, or a language learning app. It’s also important to set aside time every day to study and practice Spanish. You should also make an effort to engage with the Spanish-speaking community, as this will accelerate the process of learning Spanish.
If you truly want to learn Spanish quickly, you also have to put in the time and effort. No one can learn a new language in a few days or weeks. The process is long and requires dedication and persistence. So, to learn Spanish quickly, you must dedicate time every day to practicing, attend a class or online program, and find friends who speak Spanish so you can practice with them on a regular basis.
Final Thoughts
Learning a new language can be challenging. But if you’re like many people, you probably want to learn a new language as quickly as possible. After all, the sooner you can speak Spanish fluently, the sooner you can begin using it in real-world situations. Understanding Spanish grammar and its various verb conjugations may seem like an arduous task at first glance, but once you get the hang of it, things will start to feel more natural.
With dedication and practice on a regular basis, it’s possible to become fluent in Spanish in just a few months. However, this will largely depend on your previous knowledge of the language and the intensity of your learning schedule. If you want to master Spanish as fast as possible and are willing to commit to daily practice sessions for several hours per week over a certain period, it will take you much less time to learn Spanish than you expect.
