How long will it take to …?

There is no short, easy answer to this question. The length of time ncessary  to learn another language varies greatly depending on the language studied (see below for Group I, II, III, and IV languages) and how much time and effort you can devote to the process and the skills (e.g., reading, listening, speaking, writing) and competencies (e.g., intercultural competence) you wish to develop.

Language Testing International, in response to the question “How Long Does it Take to Become Proficient”, provides the following length of training (i.e., contact hours) guidelines. Their estimates are based on individuals who completed full-time intensive and/or immersion, proficiency-based language training with an instructor and an in individual or small groups (1-4 students). A speaking test – an Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) – was used to rate the language learners and asses their performance.

Group I Languages

Including Afrikaans, Danish, Dutch, French, Haitian-Creole, Italian, Norwegian, Portuguese, Romanian, Spanish, Swahili, Swedish…

Length of TrainingMinimal Aptitude Average AptitudeSuperior Aptitude
8 weeks (240 hours)Intermediate LowIntermediate MidIntermediate Mid
16 weeks (480 hours)Intermediate HighAdvanced LowAdvanced Mid
24 weeks (720 hours)Advanced MidAdvanced HighSuperior

Group II Languages

Including Bulgarian, Dari, Farsi, German, Greek, Hindi, Indonesian, Malay, Urdu…

Length of TrainingMinimal Aptitude Average AptitudeSuperior Aptitude
16 weeks (480 hours)Intermediate LowIntermediate Mid/HighIntermediate High
24 weeks (720 hours)Intermediate HighAdvanced Low/MidAdvanced Mid/High
44 weeks (1320 hours)Advanced Mid/HighAdvanced High/SuperiorSuperior

Group III Languages

Including Amharic, Bengali, Burmese, Czech, Finnish, Hebrew, Hungarian, Khmer, Lao, Nepali, Polish, Russian, Serbo-Croatian, Sinhala, Thai, Tamil, Turkish, Vietnamese…

Length of TrainingMinimal Aptitude Average AptitudeSuperior Aptitude
16 weeks (480 hours)Novice HighIntermediate Low/MidIntermediate Mid/High
24 weeks (720 hours)Intermediate HighAdvanced LowAdvanced Mid/High
44 weeks (1320 hours)Advanced MidAdvanced HighSuperior

Group IV Languages

Including Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Korean…

Length of TrainingMinimal AptitudeAverage AptitudeSuperior Aptitude
16 weeks (480 hours)Novice HighIntermediate LowIntermediate Low/Mid
24 weeks (720 hours)Intermediate Low/MidIntermediate Mid/HighIntermediate High
44 weeks (1320 hours)Intermediate HighAdvanced LowAdvanced Mid/High
80-92 weeks (2400-2760 hours)Advanced HighSuperiorSuperior

Source: Judith E. Liskin-Gasparro. ETS Oral Proficiency Training Manual. Princeton, N.J.: Educational Testing Service, 1982. ILR ratings have been converted to reflect equivalent ACTFL ratings.

Two main frameworks/guidelines: The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) (used in Europe and other continents) and the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines/ILR SKill Level Descriptions (created by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages). Both describe what individuals can do with language in terms of skills and competencies. For a detailed comparison chart, please click here.

TLC group classes focus on listening and conversation skills from day one. They meet for two hours per week for nine weeks, so each level corresponds to 18 contact hoursInstructors will also provide study materials and resources for out-of-class study, but the amount of time individuals spend with those materials/resources will vary according to their needs/goals.

To reach the level of intermediate low, the approximate numbers of contact hours necessary are:

Group 1 Languages at TLC (French, Italian, Portugues, Spanish) @ 240 hours

Group 2 Languages at TLC (German & Hindi) @ 480 hours

Group 3 Languages at TLC (Russian) @ 480 – 720 hours

Group 4 Languages at TLC (Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Korean) @ 720 hours