How long will it take to learn french if I am fully immersed in it?

4 Responses to “How long will it take to learn french if I am fully immersed in it?”

1. Lilliana on March 26th, 2009 5:31 am
   

   Well it really depends on the person, but the younger you are the better. Human beings lose their ability to learn new concepts the older we get. So get crackin'. If you work hard it can happen quicker than you think.
   References :
2. MArIE on March 26th, 2009 6:08 am
   

   1 month is way too optimistic. I'd say 2 to 3 years. I'm 16 and I've been taking French for 3 years–I still can't understand French speakers. I can read French well, but I can't discern their words when they speak. I still have to develop an ear for it.

   Maybe if I lived in France it would take me 6 more months to a year.

   Bon chance. Good luck.
   References :
3. audrey.labourdette on March 26th, 2009 6:34 am
   

   yeah it is, my friend moved to monte carlo and within a month he could speak and write in french…but you will probably have to stay in france or monaco for a bit to be fully surrounded by the language
   References :
4. Mimii on March 26th, 2009 7:14 am
   

   I'm sorry to say that your father is WRONG!

   It takes three years to become orally fluent in another language. That means that you can speak so well that other people may even think it's your native language (you may not even have an accent if you begin at 13), but it takes nearly seven years to become academically competent, where you can read, write and speak with the same vocabulary of a native speaker of your age.

   Even so, you would be able to communicate quite well after being immersed for a year, but never in one, or even six months.

   Some people talk about little kids who don't speak English going to preschool or kindergarten and being able to speak the other language within a couple months, but remember, this is at a kindergarteners level! It takes longer for a 13 year old level or higher.

   I want to caution you about one thing: immersion itself does not bring about fluency. Otherwise, you could watch television and become fluent, and no one is able to do that. This is also why there are older people in the US today who cannot speak English: they hear it all around them, but they don't use it – they speak their own language with their family and friends. You MUST interact in the language to become fluent. So if you are going to be fully immersed, at first you will only listen (this will happen naturally), and little by little you'll start saying things, so remember that talking to others in French all the time will be the key to your success. Listening alone, or even reading and writing, will not do it – you must interact (speak to them, write to them) as well.
   References :
   Former French teacher with a certificate in first and second language acquisition.

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