Learning a new language is a challenging but rewarding endeavor. Some languages are considered easier than others for native English speakers to pick up, but the speed at which someone can attain fluency depends on several factors.
What is considered “fluent” in a language?
Fluency is generally defined as the ability to use a language easily and accurately in order to communicate. This involves mastering reading, writing, speaking, and listening at an advanced level.
However, fluency exists on a continuum. It’s not a binary of “fluency achieved” vs “not fluent.” People can have different degrees of fluency based on their vocabulary size, grammar knowledge, pronunciation abilities, and more.
A basic definition of fluency may include:
- Having a vocabulary large enough to communicate effectively on a variety of topics
- Understanding advanced grammar structures and using them accurately
- Being able to comprehend native speakers talking at normal speed
- Being able to speak smoothly, without having to stop and search for the right words
But gaining complete fluency like a native speaker takes immersion in the language over an extended period of time, perhaps 10 years or more. The Foreign Service Institute (FSI) defines language proficiency on a scale from 0 to 5, with 5 being fluent.
What factors influence how quickly someone can learn a language?
Many different factors play a role in language learning speed, including:
- Language difficulty – Some languages have more complex grammar rules, larger vocabularies, and more difficult pronunciation than others. Languages that are closer to your native language tend to be easier.
- Time spent studying – The more time per day a person can devote to active study and practice, the faster they can progress. Study consistency is key.
- Immersion – Immersing oneself in the language by living or traveling to a country where it’s spoken can significantly accelerate learning.
- Motivation – Learners who are truly driven to communicate in their target language often advance more quickly.
- Language aptitude – Some people have more innate ability when it comes to language learning. However, motivation and study time tend to play a bigger role.
- Prior language knowledge – Already being familiar with another second language can make picking up a new one easier.
Younger learners, such as children and teenagers, are also often able to attain fluency faster than adults. Their brains are still developing linguistically.
What are the easiest languages for English speakers to learn?
According to the FSI, some of the easiest languages for native English speakers to learn include:
| Language | Hours to proficiency (FSI scale) |
|---|---|
| Spanish | 575-600 hours |
| French | 600 hours |
| Portuguese | 600 hours |
| Italian | 600 hours |
| Norwegian | 600 hours |
| Swedish | 600 hours |
| Dutch | 600 hours |
The similarities between English and the Romance languages (Spanish, French, Portuguese, Italian) in vocabulary and grammar make them relatively easy for English speakers to pick up. The Germanic languages (Norwegian, Swedish, Dutch) also share linguistic roots with English.
Easiest languages summary:
- Spanish – takes around 24 weeks of intensive study to reach proficiency
- French – takes around 24-30 weeks of intensive study to reach proficiency
- Portuguese – takes around 24 weeks of intensive study to reach proficiency
- Italian – takes around 24 weeks of intensive study to reach proficiency
- Norwegian – takes around 24 weeks of intensive study to reach proficiency
What are the hardest languages for English speakers to learn?
The FSI has found the most difficult languages for native English speakers to attain proficiency include:
| Language | Hours to proficiency (FSI scale) |
|---|---|
| Arabic | 88 weeks (2200 hours) |
| Cantonese | 88 weeks (2200 hours) |
| Mandarin | 88 weeks (2200 hours) |
| Japanese | 88 weeks (2200 hours) |
| Korean | 88 weeks (2200 hours) |
Languages like Arabic, Mandarin, Japanese, and Korean pose particular challenges due to their completely different writing systems, tonal pronunciations, formal vs informal speech rules, and complex character systems.
Hardest languages summary:
- Arabic – takes around 88 weeks of intensive study to reach proficiency
- Mandarin – takes around 88 weeks of intensive study to reach proficiency
- Japanese – takes around 88 weeks of intensive study to reach proficiency
- Korean – takes around 88 weeks of intensive study to reach proficiency
What is the fastest someone has become fluent in a language?
There are incredible stories of polyglots (people who speak many languages) attaining fluency in record time. Here are some of the fastest examples:
- Timothy Doner – American teenager Timothy Doner was able to reach conversational fluency in over 20 languages by studying intensively from a young age. He could speak Russian fluently after 1 year of study.
- Lomb Kató – Hungarian hyperpolyglot Lomb Kató claims to have studied Japanese intensively for 8 hours per day for 3 months before passing the advanced JLPT N1 exam and giving lectures in Japanese linguistics.
- Benny Lewis – The Irish language blogger Benny Lewis aimed to reach conversational fluency in many languages in just 3 months each through immersion. He reportedly became conversationally fluent in Spanish in 2.5 months after travelling to Spain.
- Chris Lonsdale – Linguist Chris Lonsdale reportedly became conversationally fluent in Chinese in 6 months through intensive immersion study in China and Taiwan for 18 hours a day.
- Alexander Arguelles – Arguelles, an American linguistics professor, claims to have reached fluency in German in 3 months. He later studied 12 hours per day for 1.5 years and became conversationally fluent in up to 30 languages.
Based on these accelerated examples, attaining conversational fluency in easier languages like Spanish or German in as little as 2-3 months seems feasible with very intense study. Reaching fluency in harder languages like Chinese or Arabic likely takes a minimum of 6 months even at an intense daily study pace.
What study methods do “hyperpolyglots” use?
People who manage to learn languages extremely quickly tend to use similar techniques and methods:
- Total immersion – They travel to countries where the language is spoken and force themselves to communicate in it all day long.
- One-on-one tutoring – Private lessons with experienced tutors provides constant language practice and feedback.
- Language exchanges/partners – Practicing extensively with native speaker partners helps conversational abilities.
- Reading/listening extensively – They read books, watch shows, listen to podcasts in the target language.
- Focus on most frequent words – They master the 500-1000 most common words which make up over 75% of speech.
- Active recall – Using spaced repetition flashcard apps like Anki forces active word memorization.
- Total dedication – They study or practice the language in virtually all waking hours.
In addition, many polyglots already know multiple languages before tackling a new one, which makes subsequent languages easier due to similarities.
Can online language learning apps help you learn quickly?
Language learning apps like Duolingo, Babbel, and Rosetta Stone can be helpful tools but are unlikely to make someone fluent fast on their own. These apps tend to focus on short lessons targeting vocabulary and basic grammar. Conversational fluency requires much more extensive practice.
Benefits of language learning apps:
- Helpful for building vocabulary
- Good for basic grammar rules
- Subtitles, speech recognition, and pronunciation tools can improve listening/speaking
- Fun, engaging interface keeps motivation up
- Bite-sized lessons fit into busy schedules
Downsides of language learning apps:
- Not enough focus on conversational fluency
- Lessons tend to be superficial
- Feedback is limited
- Difficult to retain large amounts of information
- Writing/grammar focused, less emphasis on speaking
Apps can be a good starting point or supplement but are not a magic bullet for fast fluency on their own without other immersive practice. The fastest language learners use apps to build a foundation but then speak extensively with tutors, partners, and in their target country.
Conclusion
Attaining conversational fluency in a new language within just a few months requires intensive dedication through total immersion, one-on-one tutoring, language exchanges, and other active practice for many hours each day. Most people take a year or more of study to reach fluency, even in relatively easier languages like Spanish or French.
While incredible feats of rapid language acquisition are possible with heroic levels of effort, for most learners, consistent daily practice of 30 minutes to 2 hours per day over a period of months or years is needed to achieve an advanced level in a language. Language learning apps can supplement traditional study methods but cannot replace extensive conversational practice. Reaching native-level mastery of a language likely requires immersion over 5-10 years.