How long did it take you to learn Spanish from scratch?

How long does it take to learn Spanish? How long did it take you to learn Spanish from scratch? I hear these questions quite often. There is no simple answer.

The duration depends on the purpose of learning the language. If you want to learn Spanish to understand the ancient scriptures and texts, then it will take around 6 months to 1 or maybe 2 years. Whereas, if you want to learn spoken Spanish then it will take you around 3-4 months.

There are several factors that can influence how long it takes to learn a language.

• For Spanish students

The average Spanish student or the students having previous knowledge about the language can master the basics of Spanish in 3 to 4 months of intensive study. That means 4 hours of class per day with the teacher and 2 more hours of self-directed study. And If you want to become advanced in Spanish, it’ll take around 9 months of intensive studying to achieve.

• For beginners

In my point of view, the beginners will take more time as compared to Spanish because the beginners have no knowledge about grammar, alphabets etc. For beginners, it will take 5 to 6 months to learn the basics or I can say the initial level. So it will take up to 12 -18 months for perfection. But also it depends on the one who wants to learn because no one can beat the dedication, hard work and patience in learning a new language.

How to learn the Spanish language quickly?

Learning any language usually requires a time period of at least 3 to 4 months. However, if you wish to learn Spanish quickly then you’ll have to develop a habit of practising the Spanish language daily giving at least 2-3 hours.

How many hours a day will you spend with Spanish?

This is perhaps the most important consideration and does not refer to how many hours you spend on a Spanish language classroom. It means how much time do you spend listening, reading, speaking, or writing in Spanish. It can be listening to podcasts while walking the dog, reading, watching movies, listening to songs, radio or being engaged in a conversation in Spanish. In some ways, exposure to Spanish outside the classroom can be more intense than exposure inside the classroom, unless you are lucky enough to have one-on-one instruction.

If one person spends 2 hours a day then it amounts to 182 days it means 6 months. If another person spends one hour a day in Spanish, it will take 365 days, or around a year. If you spend less than an hour a day, it will take much longer. 

Do you speak a language that is similar to Spanish?

Similarity can apply to vocabulary, grammar, or pronunciation.  Italian is very similar to Spanish, Portuguese in terms of vocabulary and grammar, but somewhat different in terms of sounds.  Portuguese is also similar to Spanish in terms of pronunciation, but quite different in terms of vocabulary and grammar. Spanish, Nepali -speaking people will learn to understand quickly but may speak with a heavy accent. They would take a much longer time to learn Spanish, even though they can acquire good pronunciation almost immediately.

The greatest advantage comes from the degree of similarity of vocabulary. Spanish and Italian share a lot of vocabulary. Most of the words are of common origin.  Acquiring new vocabulary is the most time-consuming part of language learning. It simply takes a long time to get used to new words. When we begin a language, the new sounds and the new combinations of sounds seem strange to us. 

It also takes time for our brains to get used to the structures of a new language.

How much do you like Spanish?

Do you like the sounds of Spanish? Do you like something about the history or the culture of countries where they speak Spanish? Do you have Spanish -speaking friends? Do you like movies or TV programs or music in Spanish? Do you have a favorite Spanish -speaking singer or movie star?

The more you can answer yes to these questions, the faster you will learn. Language learning engages many parts of our brains. Your emotional commitment to a new language not only influences how hard you study but also influences the efficiency of your learning.

How confident are you that you will learn to become a fluent speaker of Spanish?

Is it even your goal to become a fluent speaker? If you are simply hoping to learn a few phrases, this will not take long. If, on the other hand, you want to become fluent, it’s very important that you believe you can do it. That is why experienced language learners, who have learned other languages, often do better in new languages. They have done it before. They know they can do it.

Your attitude will have a determining influence on your language learning progress. Your determination to succeed and your commitment to staying the course will depend largely on whether you can visualize yourself achieving fluency, even before you achieve. 

In fact, when you begin your learning, you should have a clear picture of the end result. Imagine yourself conversing freely with Spanish speakers, and enjoying books, movies and television programs in the language. Once you are able to engage in these activities, however imperfectly at first, your Spanish language skills will just take off.

If you have not yet had the experience of having become fluent in another language, give yourself the benefit of the doubt. If you want to climb a mountain, and don’t think you can make it to the top, then chances are you won’t.

So, basically one of the best and fastest ways to learn Spanish to determine your intention for reading or speaking the language. Also no one can beat dedication, hard work and patience in learning a new language. 

Also, you can join Multibhashi to be perfect in the Spanish language.

ALL THE BEST!!