學習語言是要花時間的!
🍉Language acquisition takes time.
It is difficult to provide an exact answer to how long it takes to be fluent in English as it depends on a variety of factors, including the learner's native language, age, education, motivation, and opportunities to practice. According to the UK government, immigrants should reach "ESOL Entry 3" or "B1 level" before being granted citizenship, which might take around 360 hours of study to achieve. However, many people who attend courses are visiting students rather than people settling in the UK, and immigrants tend to have varied levels of education. Some highly motivated learners can learn very quickly, while others may need several years of study to attain fluency. Exposure to hearing English is crucial, and children tend to be faster at learning speaking and listening than adults.
A key factor for all immigrants is their level of education. It will vary from illiteracy to degree level and have a large bearing on how they can learn in the classroom. "The other factor is if you already speak two or three languages you'll learn the next one faster.
🍄Reading question:
What are some common challenges that immigrants face when learning English?
Did you find it difficult to learn a language from scratch?
Ling, 40, who arrived five years ago from China, found it difficult to learn English. "When I came here I was pregnant and so I was at home for the next three years. It took me longer to learn as I was very busy with the children."
Eventually she was able to begin taking
classes and now speaks good conversational English.
But even with classes, it can be a long
process to pick up the language.
It's common for
children under the age of 11 to be very immersed and be fluent in about six
months.
Adults may be better
at reading and writing to begin with. But children are faster to pick up
speaking and listening.