Why Italy

How long do you think it will take to learn fluent Italian and Madarin?

I am learning basic Madarin and Italian at the same time. How long does it usually take to learn a language? I am using Pimsleur? Is there any place to find cheap comprehensive programs on CD?

Public Comments

1. a year like everyday learning it its a whole language
2. One does not become fluent in any foreign language too quickly, even if you have the talent for it. Give it about two to three years.
3. About 5 YEARS if you really want to master them.
4. A) If you apply yourself, Italian is duck soup. You should master it in about 18 months. B) Mandarin is a whole 'nother kettle of fish. Being a tonal language it can still trip you up after decades. C) Good luck!
5. It totally depends on your aptitude and dedication. And actually I don't personally believe it is possible to really become fluent in a language if you haven't lived for a while somewhere that they speak the language. You might get book knowledge but without the practical application, I don't think you can become truly "fluent."
6. You're not going to learn "fluent" Italian or Mandarin from Pimsleur or any other course. Fluency requires years (more in the case of Mandarin, fewer for Italian). You can become fluent in a language only if you live in an environment that uses that language every day.
7. It really depends on how committed are you in learning the language, & whether you have the necessary tools to master the language. Whilst learning using a CD is nothing wrong, but being able to speak the language with a native speaker is a better way to learn the language. I'd say 18-24months to master the language.
8. 400 hours of consistent study. Pimsleur is a great start but you'll need to go beyond it to engage all four processes in language study (Comprehension (listening skills), Speaking, Reading, Writing). There are four facets of fluency in any language: Pronunciation, Grammar, Vocabulary, and Idiom so strive to improve in all these areas.
9. if your mother tongue is English -- Italian after 3 years, Chinese after 5 years minimum after Pimsleur you won't be able to read and write Chinese
10. If you are learning with Pimsleur it will take a long time, and you will most likely never learn properly! Pimsleur sucks. Have a listen to http://www.italianpod101.com . They ar ea podcast for learning Italian. I can't give you a definite date when you'll be fluent in Italian, but I have been listening to a similar site for Japanese for 2 years and now I can follow a basic conversation.