Teacher Discussion Forums

How long would it take a Fenchman/woman who has absolutely no prior learning of English (unlikely I know, but suspend belief for awhile) to attain fluency in the English Language working in the following conditions:

Starts at A1/A2, with above average intelligence
Studies specifically English language at university for 17 hours per week
Does 3 hours homework per day for 5 days out of 7
Watches English TV with English subtitles for 2 hours a day
Chats with English people outwith class for 15 minutes per day
Reads English newspapers, magazines, books for 10 minutes per day
Listens to the radio for 5 minutes a day
Is generally immersed in English and is motivated and focused

I think six years.

The general rate of language-acquisition for children, and for adults who move to another country and immerse themselves in the language, is about 5 to 6 years for complete fluency. If one is limiting one's "study time", you can expect it to take much longer.

Sheila Collins wrote:The general rate of language-acquisition for children, and for adults who move to another country and immerse themselves in the language, is about 5 to 6 years for complete fluency. If one is limiting one's "study time", you can expect it to take much longer.

Should be 'one'.

french is like the english grammatically speaking. it will be much easier to grasp the structure. it will definitely cost less time for you to learn english than the time that the chinese students spend.

Three years or so I would estimate for a fairly competent and "fluent" grasp under the conditions you describe.