How hard is it to learn another language?

Question

I have been taking two years of German, and I score very high on tests and can write German very well. But the thing is ... I have trouble speaking and hearing it. I know this is a silly question, but I really need to ask it ... how possible is it that I, who have started learning German at 15, will be able to speak it fluently sometime in my lifetime?

Answer 1

Well this is my favorite question to answer!
I lived in Germany for a year after studying German for 2 years. Let me tell you when I stepped off the plane it felt like I had studied for about 10 minutes. After about 3 months I had no problem holding a conversation with someone. Everyone learns languages differently. I know people who learned a language fluently in only 3 months, well others take longer. But 10 years?? Maybe if you never go and live in a German speaking country. I don't know if it's just the German language, but I have always found that it is easier to write than to speak. Mind you, I'm also studying Spanish, and after only one year I find it's much easier to speak and learn than German.

Answer 2

Grammar and vocabulary are relatively easy, depending on the language. But speaking? I have had Chinese students who had studied English for 15 or more years and yet couldn't speak.

Some people with English as a background can go to Haiti and start speaking Haitien Creole in a couple of weeks. If you start with French or English, Spanish is pretty easy to pick up. German is a bear, as is Russian, and Chinese (a right-brain language unlike the left-brain English) is terribly difficult.

Listening (and hearing) are learned skills and you need years of practice. Don't give up! I would have chosen an easier language, but since you've started with German, keep going...In your lifetime, you'll be able to speak it, but you must practice, pratice, practice, and practice some more.

Answer 3

I speak 3 languages all naturally: French, English and Cantonese (parents from Hong Kong, raised in France, living in Australia). I can say it really depends on how you've been taught your languages. For me, Cantonese grammar makes absolutely no sense - I can only speak it by imitating what my parents and aunts/uncles say to each other. I was taught French like most french kids are: with an iron rod. I learnt all the grammatical terms and vocab like I was in military school, so that in turn made learning English at school much easier too. However, many of my friends in Australia never learnt English like I did and some dont even have any idea what a grammatical "subject" is (since the education system in Australia when they were young did not focus on grammar). Thus, when they've tried learning other languages such as French, Spanish etc, they find it very difficult because their teachers start rambling on about grammatical terms that they do not understand. For me, learning another language is a bit easier compared to my Australian friends because I already have the "grammatical" basis and I understand all the terms. As I learn more languages, I find that it adds to the sophistication of my other languages (mostly French and English, not really too much on Cantonese) and it also makes me more aware of what I am saying when I'm speaking in any of my other languages. My mind does sometimes become jumbled and mixed with different words from each language, sometimes I mix English and French, French and Cantonese and English and Cantonese, but that's very very common and natural in people who can speak more than one language. Hope this helped!

Answer 4

I had the same experience as an exchange student. After three years of A's, I got off the plane and WHOA! I did not understand word 1. However, six weeks into my stay I could follow conversations without translating into English.
The general goal of 'school language' should be to get you to a level where an immersion experience in the language will develop fluency.
I think several years in school and an immersion experience should help you become more fluent. If an immersion experience is not possible, seek out books on tape in German and German-speaking friends to chat with you.

Answer 5

It's hard to learn another language because if you think about it you're going back to the basics. You're relearning from the beginning. Think about it like having to learn how to walk again, etc. Keep trying and you'll get it down soon enough. Is there any way you can hang out with some people who speak German? There are alot of Spanish people at my job and I'm catching on!

Answer 6

hmm i think u should spend sometime gg to germany during the summer..that way u are being force to speak german language. and u will definitely be able to improve on ur fluency in a short time. mayb u can also make some german friends..that way u can also communicate with them in german language. Good luck!

Answer 7

i dunno some people struggle with diferent things (i think its cool your learning German--ive always wanted to learn German) i took 2 months of Mandarin (chinese) --i had to stop because it was 100 miles to drive once a week and i couldnt afford to go anymore (gas prices)-- i excelled in the speaking but i had a hard time writing. i would say that the chances are good that you will be fluent in your own time just practice every day (just a little)

Answer 8

i am the other way around i could write and read english , buy sucked eggs at talking. but once i hit the ground in Ky and was surrounded by people that had some weird accent i learned to speak fluent english in a synch. I acctually dont give a hood if i mispronounce something., sue me lol

Answer 9

i am learning french and i sometimes find it difficult to learn and understand due to the grammar it is often difficult because you have to learn a new set of grammar rules. what i suggest you do is stick at it and get as much practice as you can. contact a German person or find a pen friend and ask them to speak slowly( i am sure they wont mind) to you and you will pick up what they are saying given time you will be able to speak as fast as they can. stick at it get as much practise as you can and you`ll be fine

Answer 10

I think that it takes about 10 years to be fluent. You need to talk face to face with german natives. You need to practice their accent. I started learning spanish about 10 years ago, it was in school and I wasnt very good, but I started talking to people and I am very happy with my Spanish.