Questions on language learning - Please give me your opinions.?

Question

This is regarding any language that you are learning -

How much does one need to know to be considered at different language levels i.e.

When does a beginner become an upper level beginner - How much do they know at that stage?

When are you considered to have reached the intermediate level? What do you know by then? How about upper intermediate?

And finally, advanced; when are you considered at an advanced level of language learning; what do you know by then?

How much time on average do you think you spend on each of the levels? Time can be anything - studying, exposure to the language, whatever you want to define it as.

Thank you for any relevant opinions.

Also -

At what stage do you think you are considered to be fluent in a language? What do you know by then? Is both written and spoken fluency required?

How long do you think it takes to reach a native speaker level? How do you know when you have reached it?

Answer 1

This topic is extremely difficult to tackle, as it is subject to opinions. Guidelines can be developed, of course, but then you need someone to apply subjective decisions to tell you what level you are in.

As for the time needed for each level, it also depends on the language.

Maybe you'd like to take a look at this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_European_Framework_of_Reference_for_Languages

As for how long it takes to reach a native level... at least in my case, it seems an eternity :S

Answer 2

I prefer to learn Mandarin Chinese, because it is the language which sounds nice, it is the language which is spoken by most people. It is the language, which has potential to influence the future. I learn Mandarin from http://www.hellomandarin.com Anyone who is interested in Chinese can join me.

Answer 3

You have to know enough so that you can express yourself on paper and that others understand what you are saying.

Answer 4

practice makes perfect... i speak a few and have mastered them by myself. good luck