once in the US, how long does it take to be very comfortable with spoken English?

Question

I'm French and I will move to the US soon.
I've been to the US before (in 1999 for a summer job) and my English wasn't very good at that time, but it was O.K. I think it was O.K. because I hang out with other Europeans who spoke slowly and didn't use difficult expressions.
But I know that Americans don't speak slowly and use a lot of idioms, slang, and phrasals verbs that are difficult to learn because there are so many!
My English is much better now; I got a good score at the TOEIC test (945/990).
I watch a lot of American TV, read books in English, and I try to learn slang.
I don't have any problems understanding written or spoken English, but I'm a little afraid of my spoken English.
I'd like to get answers from people who went to the US without a perfect English. I'd like to know HOW LONG did it take you to be very comfortable with spoken English, and when I say very comfortable it means when you knew you spoke without hesitation, fast, and with no grammar mistakes.
Thanks.

Answer 1

My sister-in-law is Moroccan, when she came here she hardly knew anything. She spoke French and Arabic. After 6 months to a year she was fine. It took a few years until she was comfortable conversing (people in Chicago talk fast- which makes it harder). Now after 7 years, she's speaks wonderfully, she still has an accent but that will be considered charming so don't try to lose it! If you do want to lose the accent, find a dialect coach. The thing is though- you will have to completely immerse yourself. Don't hang out with people who speak French, don't watch movies in French, force yourself to live only in an English speaking environment- then you will HAVE to learn to survive. English is hard to understand - English has twice as many words as any other language. Having said that, GOOD LUCK!

Answer 2

I'm not sure but I'll give you an example in reverse. My son is on a mission for the LDS Church. He went through a 2 .5 month French only study and then went to Quebec. It took him a few months of only speaking French to people for him to understand that those were words instead of just weird sounds. He's not perfect but he speaks it well. He's been gone for 1.5 years (I miss him lots.)

My husband spent 2 years in Paris in the late 1970s and still speaks French. He had the same type of experience as Steven.

English is hard because there are so many exceptions to exceptions. Good luck to you!!

Answer 3

I had a friend from China and it took her about 2 years. Now that's learning an entire new alphabet, everything......but she surrounded herself in just English like you have done. From TV to music etc. She might have gotten a couple things backwards here and there with the slang......but slang changes with each generation and each ethnic group so you wouldn't be alone in not understanding or mis speaking occationally.

I think alot of American english is full of grammer mistakes. LOL Made-up, mixed-up and blended words. I'm sure you'll do fine. As an American and one who loves accents......and very much appreciates the effort of learning English.....I'm sure we'll do all we can to understand what you're trying to say...even if it's not perfect. Just hope you can read between our mixed up lines as well.

Answer 4

If you spoke English with no grammar mistakes you's speak better than almost all of us in the US! I wouldn't worry about it. Find someone in the US who will practice with you. Maybe you can find a student who would like to practice their French and the two of you could talk. Spend an hour speaking in English and then an hour in French. Then you would both improve. If your speaking is as good as your writing you won't have too much to worry about!

Answer 5

Immersion is the answer,I am learning Japanese for a business trip and its difficult.I have friends that are from Japan but its a different dialect than I am trying to learn .
I was taught French-Cajun by spending months with my husband's family and although they speak English of course, for me they only spoke
Cajun so I could learn it faster.I loved it .To me make American friends and they will help you by just speaking English(American English) with you.have fun and welcome.

Answer 6

I am an American who has spent time in France.

All I can say is that your written English is excellent.

Welcome! And good luck.