How U.S. diplomats learn languages | FSI language courses review
Steve Kaufmann - lingosteve・12 minutes read
Learning languages is categorized by difficulty and time needed, with Category 1 languages taking about 24 weeks, Category 4 languages taking 44 weeks, and Category 5 languages taking 88 weeks. To achieve proficiency, learners need motivation, access to interesting content, and a long-term commitment to the language.
Insights
- Different languages are categorized by difficulty and the time required to learn them, with factors like writing systems and grammar structures influencing the learning process.
- Success in language learning hinges on sustained motivation, exposure to engaging content, and a commitment to long-term improvement rather than quick advancements, especially when dealing with complex languages like Arabic that encompass various dialects.
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Recent questions
What are the categories of language difficulty?
Categories range from one to five based on complexity.
How does the FSI measure language proficiency?
By achieving a B2-C1 level in a language.
What factors influence language difficulty?
Writing system, vocabulary, and language structures.
How does motivation impact language learning success?
Motivation is crucial for successful language acquisition.
What is the key to language learning success?
Enjoying the language and committing for the long term.
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Summary
00:00
Language Difficulty and Learning Time Analysis
- The US Foreign Service Institute has a list of languages categorized by difficulty and the time it takes to learn them based on their teaching experience.
- Category one includes languages like Afrikaans, Danish, and French, which are considered easier and take about 24 weeks to learn.
- Category two includes German, which is given a similar timeframe as French due to its unique grammar structure.
- Category three languages like Indonesian and Swahili are considered easier due to their transparent writing systems.
- Category four languages like Persian and Russian take about 44 weeks to learn and have different writing systems.
- Category five languages like Arabic and Mandarin take about 88 weeks to learn and are considered more challenging.
- Achieving a B2-C1 level in a language, as claimed by the FSI, may be difficult and time-consuming.
- FSI's language learning program involves five hours of instruction per day, which may be tiring for some learners.
- Factors affecting language difficulty include writing system similarity, vocabulary, and language structures.
- Learner motivation and the availability of interesting content are crucial in language learning success.
12:11
Mastering Arabic Dialects: A Challenging Journey
- Learning Arabic involves navigating through different dialects like Egyptian Arabic, Iraqi Arabic, and Levantine Arabic, which can make the process challenging. Despite the difficulty, the key to language learning success lies in enjoying the language and committing to it for the long term, aiming to reach a solid level that serves as a springboard for continuous improvement rather than expecting rapid progress to advanced levels within a short timeframe.
