Can You Learn a Language in an Hour a Day?

 by Indie S

From the ever-increasing possibilities for learning a language ranging from school classes to apps like Duolingo, the excuses to not try are becoming weaker and weaker. Although it is becoming easier to start and learn, the idea of conquering the language is an intimidating idea.

With thousands of different, unfamiliar, and odd-sounding words, combining this with a completely new structure of grammar is a daunting proposition; the chances of embarrassment are high, and finding the time is tricky, too. 

However, the results are priceless. The powers that can be held from knowing a language unlocks so many doors, ranging from communication from friends in foreign countries, to running a business abroad. Furthermore, the gained skills of learning a new language makes things feel like you have superpowers - the thing is, you really do.

 According to FSI research, it takes around 480 hours of solid practice to reach a baseline level of proficiency in all Group 1 languages. Naturally, this group contains the most basic languages out there, such as French, Spanish, German, Italian and Portuguese. But when we go down the list of groups, we see a sudden spike in difficulty.  To achieve the same level of fluency, it takes 720 hours in order to master languages such as Greek, Hindi, Persian and Urdu. While this sounds like a substantial amount of time already, being capable in Arabic, Chinese, Japanese and Korean requires even more hours. This group contains some of the most challenging languages in the world.

While learning a second language has cognitive benefits alone, it develops our executive functions, which are “the high-level ability to flexibly manipulate and utilise, and hold information in the mind and suppress irrelevant information,” says Julie Fiez, a professor at the University of Pittsburgh’s department of neuroscience. 

So learning the basics of any language is a swift task - apps and online resources are great for that. Or if you like cooking, buy a cookbook in a foreign language. Maybe you like football, so try watching tonight’s game in a different language. Once these now ‘gibberish’ words have been picked up, it becomes easier to recall the new and old words that you are learning. 

As you start to dig deeper into this new language, however, your intentions will need to be clear in order to bridge the gap between dabbling about and becoming an expert craftsman. When your intentions are defined, a practice routine can be planned for a productive, hourly schedule that surpases many learning methods. 

So with this in mind, whether you want to work abroad or want to connect further with the person that you’re in love with, just start learning. Needless to say, as the basic vocabulary of the language has been picked up from books, textbooks and apps alike, it’s time to take your new skills into the real world; try and surround yourselves with native speakers, or listen to music in the language. Perhaps your favourite films are available to view in a more foreign way, too.

Little and often is the way to go. An hour a day five days a week is more beneficial than a huge five hour session once a week. According to experts, narrowing down your lessons for a specific use rather than fluency is a huge time saver. 

 I would urge you to dedicate a little portion of your day to learning a language, a means of bridging gaps between people, and a valued skill that could bring you closer to your peers at work, home or abroad in the future. 

 Starting off, all you have to do is log into Duolingo once a day…