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02:45
May 19, 2012
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How many independent study hours would it take to advance one college level in a language?
My degree is riding on learning a language. I've tried for several years (ok, ok… more). I couldn't seem to get the language. I'm trying again.
Is it remotely possible for the average joe to self-study up to the next college semester level in one month? In one summer?
I find language learning difficult.
I have bought books, audio programs, videos. I hope to try again. I'm at a 3rd year level, but need one more semester's worth of knowledge to reach 3 full years of language competency. I cannot attend the class, as the school is thousands of miles away. Am I dreaming thinking I can self-study at the 3rd year college level Spanish?
I will need to take a short (15 minute) oral placement exam and a long (100+ question) multiple choice exam. No dictionaries allowed. They will ask conversational questions. Verb conjugations are a fairly big deal for this, I think.
How can I most efficiently study?
How long should I expect this to take?
07:52
July 1, 2011
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Hm, I suppose you should remember to use natural language use as well (find conversation exchanges, translate songs, read articles, etc.), don't just use language learning materials.
Other than that I don't know at what level colleges teach languages, but I would be surprised if it was that difficult. What level is your Spanish now?
When is this exam coming up?
);
B2 (
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B1 (
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A2 (
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11:12
Experienced Language Hacker
August 2, 2011
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It is hard to say because there is too many factors like the similarity between the native and target languages, your own abilities to learn, to recall informations from memory for all the four basic language skills. In my case, the Open University French beginner course is told to involve at least 6 hours per week per year, so it would be 312 hours, but if you struggle it might be in fact 600 hours and if you don't – 150 hours. My current course which should put me on B1 level recommends 8 hours per week per 8 months, so it is at least 256 hours. Let's suppose then, that the answer on your question is 300 hours.
Native: 
| Fluent: 
| Conversational and learning: 
| Elementary and beginner: 
I learned also a bit: 
I would like to learn: 
Polska strona języka walijskiego
15:07
May 19, 2012
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Is it possible to do the 300 or so hours in a shorter amount of time?
If I studied 8 hours a day, could I learn one more level in 40 days,… independent study?
Or maybe 4-5 hours a day? At some point does your brain turn off when studying languages for hours a day?
I schedule the exam, but need to get this taken care of soon. It's been so very long.
Native: English
Target: Spanish
Level Needed: One more level of college Spanish, Upper Intermediate
Current Level: The previous semester of college Spanish than I need
Took Spanish: All through K-12 grade school, then first semester of college. It's now been years (mid-20s) since I've taken a Spanish class. I've forgotten a whole lot.
18:20
Experienced Language Hacker
August 2, 2011
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Of course, if you have strong motivation:) But you have to know your own limitations. You might first assess them for a short period: for example how would you feel after a week of learning 6 hours a day? Would it be too much or too less? What would be the outcome – how much do you remember, with what do you struggle, what is the easiest and what is the hardest task for you. I could only advise you to learn not few hours without a break but to divide learning time onto half-an-hour parts, five minutes of break, not forgetting about excercise and fresh air…
(Myself I could only withstand 2 hours of learning, later I am much less focused and learning is not productive)
Native: | Fluent: | Conversational and learning: | Elementary and beginner:
I learned also a bit: I would like to learn:
Polska strona języka walijskiego
17:19
November 23, 2011
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I tested into upper intermediate level at my university after 6 months of self study from just north of zero knowledge. My self study consisted largely of a half assed unorganized methodology involving heavy consumption of reggaeton music videos which I would then decifer and commit to memory. 
Then again, upper intermediate at my uni was not actually particularly far along … but I do not think American universities are really aiming to get you to fluency anyway by and large.
17:27
May 27, 2012
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Hello,
I tried learning English for years.
I started to enjoy it when I decided to read ressources on my own (books like Harry Potter)
For speaking, I made real improvements when I had to talk with some people that didn't know French at all.
To sum up, my advice would be to practice reading on your own, and find some people to speak with them.
You will practice (and increasingly correct your errors) without "efforts".
Good luck
See you
Fabrice
23:45
May 19, 2012
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gatitopeligroso said
I tested into upper intermediate level at my university after 6 months of self study from just north of zero knowledge. My self study consisted largely of a half assed unorganized methodology involving heavy consumption of reggaeton music videos which I would then decifer and commit to memory.Then again, upper intermediate at my uni was not actually particularly far along … but I do not think American universities are really aiming to get you to fluency anyway by and large.
Wow, 6 months from nothing to testing upper intermediate?
That's pretty much what I'm looking to do… well, from intermediate to upper. Hopefully it's possible for me, too.
Did you translate the reggae music videos, or just watch and try to understand the meanings?
Any advice for self-studying grammar in a short amount of time? Thanks. It's good to hear from others who passed college placement tests.
23:46
May 19, 2012
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frenchlearn31 said
To sum up, my advice would be to practice reading on your own, and find some people to speak with them.
Thanks. I'm trying to get to the level to be able to read books in Spanish that interest me. I've got a ways to go before being able to talk to others in Spanish.
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