Comments on: How Long Does it Take to Learn Fluent Mandarin? http://thelinguafranca.wordpress.com/2008/09/14/how-long-does-it-take-to-learn-fluent-mandarin/ Cross Cultural Communications in Greater China Tue, 08 Dec 2009 12:33:10 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: truettblack http://thelinguafranca.wordpress.com/2008/09/14/how-long-does-it-take-to-learn-fluent-mandarin/#comment-359 truettblack Sat, 05 Dec 2009 07:54:16 +0000 http://thelinguafranca.wordpress.com/?p=50#comment-359 Alejandra, The US Department of State quotes 2,200 classroom hours as the minimum necessary for fluency in Mandarin. That's 550 four hour days, and 275 eight hour days. If you need to be fluent in order to have a successful experience at CAFA, you will need about a year of hard study to build a foundation in spoken Mandarin, and another six months to a year to learn to read at a basic level (it depends on when you start learning characters). From there, you could probably "wing it" for a few months until your ears are accustomed to the local accent and your professional vocabulary is up to speed. If you are an exceptionally fast learner and you have the gift of mimicry, you can shorten the process a bit. If there is any way for you to get to China before you begin your studies, that will help a great deal. Best of luck to you in your studies! Alejandra,

The US Department of State quotes 2,200 classroom hours as the minimum necessary for fluency in Mandarin. That’s 550 four hour days, and 275 eight hour days. If you need to be fluent in order to have a successful experience at CAFA, you will need about a year of hard study to build a foundation in spoken Mandarin, and another six months to a year to learn to read at a basic level (it depends on when you start learning characters). From there, you could probably “wing it” for a few months until your ears are accustomed to the local accent and your professional vocabulary is up to speed. If you are an exceptionally fast learner and you have the gift of mimicry, you can shorten the process a bit.

If there is any way for you to get to China before you begin your studies, that will help a great deal.

Best of luck to you in your studies!

]]> By: alejandra r. http://thelinguafranca.wordpress.com/2008/09/14/how-long-does-it-take-to-learn-fluent-mandarin/#comment-357 alejandra r. Sat, 05 Dec 2009 01:07:31 +0000 http://thelinguafranca.wordpress.com/?p=50#comment-357 Hi i was really thinking of doing art school here in the U.S., and then going to art school in Beijing China. Central Academy of Fine Arts. And was wondering, how long i would most likely need to study chinese. I am a quick learner, and study often, and have learned a basic 3 month course of it, however i was wondering how proficient my Chinese would need to be. Hi i was really thinking of doing art school here in the U.S., and then going to art school in Beijing China. Central Academy of Fine Arts. And was wondering, how long i would most likely need to study chinese. I am a quick learner, and study often, and have learned a basic 3 month course of it, however i was wondering how proficient my Chinese would need to be.

]]> By: Loren Bergeson http://thelinguafranca.wordpress.com/2008/09/14/how-long-does-it-take-to-learn-fluent-mandarin/#comment-350 Loren Bergeson Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:30:27 +0000 http://thelinguafranca.wordpress.com/?p=50#comment-350 Jay, Please see my literature suggestions in the comment I made on this blog entry on September 25, 2009. Jay,

Please see my literature suggestions in the comment I made on this blog entry on September 25, 2009.

]]> By: Jay http://thelinguafranca.wordpress.com/2008/09/14/how-long-does-it-take-to-learn-fluent-mandarin/#comment-349 Jay Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:27:54 +0000 http://thelinguafranca.wordpress.com/?p=50#comment-349 Cheers True, just the sort of encouragement I needed!! Im planning on starting some lessons this year before taking a year's study in shanghai (fudan). Dont speak a word as it stands. Another minor problem being that Mandarin lessons are pretty hard to come by in Wales but Il let you know how it goes! Oh, any literature suggestions for a serious beginner would be much appreciated. I'm only really interested in speaking the language at the moment. Thanks again! Jay Cheers True, just the sort of encouragement I needed!! Im planning on starting some lessons this year before taking a year’s study in shanghai (fudan). Dont speak a word as it stands. Another minor problem being that Mandarin lessons are pretty hard to come by in Wales but Il let you know how it goes!
Oh, any literature suggestions for a serious beginner would be much appreciated. I’m only really interested in speaking the language at the moment.
Thanks again!
Jay

]]> By: truettblack http://thelinguafranca.wordpress.com/2008/09/14/how-long-does-it-take-to-learn-fluent-mandarin/#comment-332 truettblack Fri, 25 Sep 2009 11:53:51 +0000 http://thelinguafranca.wordpress.com/?p=50#comment-332 Loren, I appreciate you listing these learning technologies here. The problem you mention is a very realistic one. Unfortunately, it is unlikely that you will turn the corner to full spoken fluency until you have lived among Mandarin speakers in a primarily Chinese environment for at least six months. If you can't do it all at once, try to get at least two or three months after a year of study, then a month per year for the next few years. You'll see dramatic improvements in your progress if you do. I look forward to the day when there are "all Mandarin" boot camps in the United States that students can go and stay at for weeks at a time. Best of luck to you in your (and your group's) endeavors! Loren, I appreciate you listing these learning technologies here.

The problem you mention is a very realistic one. Unfortunately, it is unlikely that you will turn the corner to full spoken fluency until you have lived among Mandarin speakers in a primarily Chinese environment for at least six months. If you can’t do it all at once, try to get at least two or three months after a year of study, then a month per year for the next few years. You’ll see dramatic improvements in your progress if you do.

I look forward to the day when there are “all Mandarin” boot camps in the United States that students can go and stay at for weeks at a time.

Best of luck to you in your (and your group’s) endeavors!

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