If you are wondering how long does it take to learn German, you need to define the question a little before you will get a good answer. Because how long does it take to learn German depends on a couple of factors.
First, you need to define what you mean by learning the German language. For most people, that simply means getting to the point where they have the ability to hold a conversation in German. But for others, it might be preparation for an examination, or acquiring very technically correct written German for business reasons.
Obviously, the answer to how long does it take to learn German is very different for each of those scenarios. In this article, I will deal with learning conversational German, as that is the most common reason for wanting to learn the German language.
Second, how long does it take to learn German can depend significantly on the approach that you take for how to learn the German language!
There are a variety of approaches which you can take, and each has advantages and disadvantages.
You can choose German classes. These typically are weekly, and there more people in the class apart from you. This is probably the approach which will take longest, and it is the least advised approach. Later, I'll discuss important components essential to learn the German language successfully and you will understand why German classes are the least effective approach.
A German tutor is another approach. How long does it take to learn German with a tutor? A tutor is better than German classes, but it is still not the best approach, unless you can afford to have the tutor spend time with you each day. That get's expensive, but it is effective.
And there is a reason why a daily tutor is effective. Two reasons, in fact! The first reason is that you are getting structured daily practice. The second is that the tutor will expose you to complete sentence structure, and help you understand how German sentences are structured. A conversation comprises a group of sentences, not just a group of works. You have to know how to assemble the individual words into properly structured sentences before you get anywhere close.
If you learn the German language with daily practice and early exposure to sentence structure considerations, you have the greatest chance of success. Indeed, you can be conversational in about eight weeks.
While a daily tutor is a great option, it can get very, very expensive. The most efficient option is to use a learn the German language program that simulates full sentence immersion from the start. Not all learn German software incorporates this feature, and if it is lacking you will not be successful!
Get more information on Learning German for Beginners. With the right tools, you can Learn the German Language in about eight weeks!
So you fancy learning German. There are a variety of techniques for learning a new language. Every individual learns differently. This means that it might take you some time to find the method that works best. Perhaps you are an individual who learns the greatest on their own, from the resources that you find on your own. Maybe you are a person who learns best from books and from teachers. There are a variety of different techniques to learning a language. On a positive note, it doesn't matter what your learning style is, as you'll most likely come across a few strategies that work ideally for you. For some people, coming across that tactic will seem flabbergasting and disturbing.
One of the best ways to learn a language like German is to find a friend or someone close to you who is a perfect German speaker. When you find someone who thinks and speaks in German, you will be able to form good habits. When you learn from someone close to you who speaks German fluently, you won't feel apprehensive about speaking German in front of them and that will help you learn faster. Plus, when you learn German from a friend you will have more fun with it. Your friend will understand you as well as your learning style and he or she will know the best way for you to approach learning your new language. View television shows and movies where they speak German. When you start watching these German movies, you can turn the subtitles on. Once you start getting accustomed to the language you can turn off the subtitles. You will learn that you comprehend more than you had realized. Watching German television and movies is a stupendous tactic for getting to know the language as it is being spoken nowadays. Classroom learning generally instructs the formal version of the language and not the language as it is being put to use in everyday speaking (books can't do this on account of the language continuously changing). Movies and TV show will allow you to learn current slang and other cultural things that you wouldn't be capable of learning in a classroom setting or by taking an individual course.
You will do better if you can think in German. When you think of things in whatever language you speak naturally, try to think them over again in German. You will then get used to thinking in German. When you are able to think using German, you will find it easier to communicate using the new language. When you are able to figure out what someone is saying to you instantly, you'll have a much easier time as you won't need translators and you certainly won't have to try to decipher what was said, and risk being wrong.
You can learn German in a number of ways and some of these ways make it simple. Don't stress out too much over it. Learning a new language can be one of the hardest things you'll ever attempt! As long as you do a little bit each day, and you put in the work that's required to learn a new language, you'll conquer German before you know it.