Introduction:
German is rated as a category 2 language and considered to be similar to English. The FSI estimates that German takes approximately 30 weeks, or 750 classroom hours to learn. This study was conducted on a group of language students who spent 25 hours per week in class, and three hours daily on individual practice.
We all have different motivations for learning a new language. But with over 200 million speakers worldwide, German is a popular and extremely rewarding choice.
But just how long does it take to learn German? After all, as you set out on your German journey, you probably have certain objectives in mind. And it’s important to have some idea of how long it will take you to achieve them.
Fortunately, for English native speakers, German is one of the easier foreign languages to learn. Of course, how quickly you learn it depends on a few things: The effort you’re willing to put into often you practice finding a suitable learning technique or method to use the way, if you want to learn German quickly and have fun while doing it, I strongly recommend German Uncovered, my in-depth online German course for beginners that teaches you through the power of story.
Things to know
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Estimated Hours Of Practice:
The Foreign Service Institute (FSI) has created a practical reference for individuals interested in learning a foreign language. The list contains difficulty ratings and the estimated number of classroom hours necessary to learn each language at a semi-proficient level.
German is rated as a category 2 language and considered to be similar to English. The FSI estimates that German takes approximately 30 weeks, or 750 classroom hours to learn. This study was conducted on a group of language students who spent 25 hours per week in class, and three hours daily on individual practice. Although that may sound like a lot, even languages closely related to English, such as Spanish and French, can take up to 24 weeks or 600 hours to learn.
These factors need to be in the foreground when putting together a language learning program. Let’s explore these aspects of language learning in more detail.
How Much Time Do You Spend Studying German? One of the main factors that determine how long it takes you to learn German is the amount of time you invest in studying. The more time you spend learning German, the faster you will gain basic proficiency. It’s really that simple. In a perfect world, you could travel to Germany and fully immerse yourself in German culture while attending language courses. However, in reality, most of us don’t have any more than a few hours to dedicate to our learning each week. In order to make the most of this time, you’ll need to choose appropriate learning methods.
We all learn in different ways and some methods work better than others. In order to optimize your language learning sessions, it’s important to learn efficiently. The best way to become comfortable with a new language is through regular exposure to it. Reading German books, listening to German conversations, writing down new phrases or words, and language learning apps all provide opportunities to practice the language. However, you’ll also need a teacher to help guide the way. This could be through a traditionalFinding The Right Teacher Or Tutor: It may be challenging to find the right teacher in the beginning. We all have different learning styles, as well as teaching styles and personalities.Take the time to explore all your options and find a course of action that motivates you to learn German the most.Depending on the opportunities available in your area, it may be possible to join a German retreat, attend a conversational Stammtisch (an informal German meetup group), or take part in an online German-speaking group.A combination of techniques and resources is what will provide a successful strategy to learn a foreign language quickly and efficiently.If you have a great teacher but don’t practice outside of class, you’re unlikely to learn very fast.Similarly, if you practice regularly, but don’t have a teacher to point out your mistakes, you’re probably not going to be able to maximise your learning.
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What Makes German Difficult To Learn:
There are many reasons the language learning process may not go as quickly as you would like
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Some common hurdles include:
Losing motivation due to complex grammar concepts lack of exposure or practice working with the wrong teacher or tutoring inefficient methods
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Maintaining Your Motivation:
It’s important to maintain a high level of motivation throughout the language learning experience. Make a list of the reasons you want to learn German, how it can benefit your life, and what you can do once you are proficient.
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Keeping these goals in mind will help you stay motivated and on track.
Tackling German Grammar: German grammar may seem complex and some concepts can be hard to grasp in the beginning. This is where a teacher can help. It’s almost impossible to learn a language without some help from an expert. A teacher or tutor can help you grasp new grammar quickly, and correctly master the pronunciation. German grammar is more precise and intricate than in English, so you are bound to face roadblocks along the way. Instead of spending hours on your own trying to grasp a concept, prepare a list of difficult subjects to go through with your tutor.
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Practice Makes Perfect
Even if you’ve found the optimal language tutor or course and you’re highly motivated, your language progression may be slowed down by a lack of practice. Daily exposure to the language is essential for fast learning. Practice speaking, reading, writing, or listening on a daily basis to reaffirm what you’ve learned in classes. So, How Long Does It Take To Learn German? Above all else, how fast you learn German depends on how much time you are willing to invest in learning the language. Learning time is most accurately calculated in minutes and hours, not months and years. So if you set aside practice time on a daily basis you will learn faster. It is estimated that a total of 30 weeks or 750 classroom hours are necessary to learn German. But you could complete those 750 hours in a matter of months or over the course of many years. It all depends on your learning style and available time: Language students who practice a method of complete immersion, with eight hours of practice per day, could learn German to a high level in a matter of months. Studying 8 hours per day, 5 days per week you could complete 750 hours in less than 20 weeks those who dedicate at least one hour per day to language learning can achieve an intermediate level within two years. Studying 1 hour per day, every day you could complete 750 hours in a little over 2 years.
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Conclusion:
The more time you invest in daily practice, the faster you will see progress. If you’re able to travel to Germany or submerge yourself in German culture in some other way, that can help you to learn faster too. But in the end, whether you study abroad or learn from home it’s up to you to put in the hours and spend time with the language.
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