Does anyone know if it is possible for me, a monolingual English-speaker, to be suddenly dropped off in another country and learn the local language with zero prior knowledge of the language (learn as in being able to communicate well enough to read books & newspapers as well as speak to locals in their own language exclusively) in 30 to 90 days? If it depends, is this possible in countries with shared language history?
Or am I just dreaming? How long on average does it take for a monolingual English speaker to learn another Germanic language if all of their effort were put into learning it and they spent that time in the nation the language is used at (example, say if tomorrow I hop on a plane to Sweden and stay there for 90 days - is it humanly possible to learn the language sufficiently to communicate only in that language after the 90 days are up provided enough effort is put out to do it or are there hard limits to the ability?)?
Sushipunk
You'll pick [the language] up a lot faster simply by being in the country and using it every day, rather than learning it before you go. That would most likely be spoken [language] though, rather than written, though the written [language] would most likely improve quicker too, if you're puting your best into studying it, and practicing.
Which [language]?
netroM
Lebezniatnikov
Without formal training in a language, your knowledge after a mere 90 days is going to be very patchy at best. The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages generally prescribes 500-600 hours of formal language instruction to achieve "Advanced" standing in a Romance language. Note that "Advanced" isn't fluency, but two steps below. Note also that 600 hours of instruction is equal to sitting in a classroom 10 hours straight for sixty days.
German is typically 700-800 hours; Russian 900-1000; Chinese and Arabic up to 1200 for the same standard.
Going abroad is the best way to learn vocabulary, and to practice skills already gained through instruction. It would not be easy, however, to pick up grammatical structures and the like. Obviously the language you take and your own ability to absorb different grammar and syntax can make a difference, but without some sort of long-term formal language training, you aren't likely to be much more than intelligible through sentence fragments.
pkcRAISTLIN
im considering doing something similar, except instead of learning an entire language in 60 days, im going to be an astronaut.
MrJiveBoJingles
Try learning Icelandic in seven days:
Kinezi
I learnt japanese from you tube in desperate measure to .. you know..
Blake
supposedly living abroad is the quickest way to learn. either speak the language or go hungry, right? my first trip abroad was to frankfurt (and then, brussels, and ghent for I Love Techno 07) by myself. i'd say it took about 2 hours before I was hungry enough to be more assertive approaching people in what little german i knew, so i could find places to eat lol. i'd say i learned a handful of new words a day while there.
lacksesepsotygh
quote:
Originally posted by netroM
beh :D
ali92
I have all of the Rosetta Stone materials on my hard drive. Does this software really work like the ads say they do or is it another gimmick?
How do people who know multiple languages early in life usually succeed in it vs people who can take years and years of classes and still not be able to communicate with natives? Does it make sense to just move to the country you want to learn the language at and learn and use it there?
infinity HiGH
quote:
Originally posted by ali92
How do people who know multiple languages early in life usually succeed in it vs people who can take years and years of classes and still not be able to communicate with natives? Does it make sense to just move to the country you want to learn the language at and learn and use it there?
Because as a child your brain is more of a sponge and you're better at developing your language skills. Typically, after the first 15-18 years of your life it's going to be hard for you to master a language (especially in 90 days, LOL). This is why adults that move to a foreign country usually learn enough of it to communicate; whereas their kids usually master the language.
Also, being bi-lingual helps in learning new languages.
ali92
quote:
Originally posted by infinity HiGH
Because as a child your brain is more of a sponge and you're better at developing your language skills. Typically, after the first 15-18 years of your life it's going to be hard for you to master a language (especially in 90 days, LOL). This is why adults that move to a foreign country usually learn enough of it to communicate; whereas their kids usually master the language.
Also, being bi-lingual helps in learning new languages.
