How long does it take to learn English? (Part 1)

English is without a doubt a significantly popular language and an essential work skill in today’s globalized world. Yet, English is a West Germanic language with a lot of unique features that may baffle first-time learners, from its pronunciation, vocabulary to intricate grammar rules. 

That’s why we know that beginners in this language will be very confused at the start, for example in getting to know how long does it take to learn this language. In this blog post, we will first give you insights about the factors affecting how long it takes to learn English.

1. Pronunciation/Sound system

English has a complex sound system, consisting of vowels, consonant sounds, stresses and intonation. It is inevitable that learners will struggle to practice listening and speaking when first getting accustomed to these sounds, especially non-European ones. 

2. Vocabulary

English has a wide range of vocabulary, including native ones and those borrowed from other languages. There are also multi-syllable words as well, which will be even harder to remember, and the thing is, they account for a substantial percentage of the language. What’s more, it is estimated that there are 14.7 new words created on a daily basis, or 1 every 98 minutes. 

Another thing worth remembering is that pronouncing English vocabulary would be challenging as well, as each letter in English words may express different sounds. For example, “a” can be pronounced /ə/ or /eɪ/.

3. Grammar

English has very detailed differentiation of grammar, from perfect tenses to the different usages of articles. Besides its intricacy, there are also exceptions and irregularities in different special cases as well. All of them may serve as considerable challenges for newbies in applying them in communication or simply understanding them from others. 

From these basic analysis, it can be easily deduced that it’s going to take learners a great deal of time to master it. Please stay tuned for our Part 2 to know about English language scales and the average time you need for each level of English. At Berlitz Vietnam, we offer tailored English and other language courses for individuals and businesses in a student-centered way to exclude unnecessary parts and help you acquire your language skills faster and more effectively.