The Three Stages of Language Fluency

Written by Steve Kaufmann - 35 Comments
Categories: self education

language-fluency.jpg“You are what you eat” – popular saying

In the global information age, maybe it should be “you are what you can say”. Language, in its varied manifestations, is mankind’s defining achievement, and it also defines us. Language can be social, political, technical, practical, entertaining, sensual, philosophical, and much more. At the banquet of life, each language is another course. The better you can use languages, your own and others, the more you can enjoy the feast. At least that has been my experience.

I have achieved varying degrees of fluency in 12 languages, and look forward to learning more. To me, there are three natural stages in language growth, which I outline here. Billions of dollars are wasted on ineffective language and literacy instruction programs, which ignore these natural stages.

The First Stage: Connecting With the Language (60-90 hours)

My Goal: To become familiar with a strange language
My Measurable: Learn to recognize 1000 words
Main task: Listen repeatedly to short, simple content
My Target Languages: (planned) Czech, Arabic, Hindi, Turkish

When I begin, I need to “connect” with the new language and overcome my resistance to its strange sounds and structure. I don’t need to speak. I don’t need to understand any grammar. I don’t need to get anything “right”. I am not interested in mastering a few phrases or simple greetings. I want to get into the language, to get a feel for it.

Here is how Fred Genesee of McGill University describes the beginning stages of language learning:

“When learning occurs, neuro-chemical communication between neurons is facilitated, in other words a neural network is gradually established. Exposure to unfamiliar speech sounds is initially registered by the brain as undifferentiated neural activity. As exposure continues, the listener (and the brain) learns to differentiate among different sounds and even among short sequences of sounds that correspond to words or parts of words…”

I start by repeatedly listening to short morsels of content. These are 30 seconds long at first, eventually growing to one minute or longer. I listen to the same mouthful (earful?) 20 times or more, to help forge the new “neural networks” in my brain. Ideally these short episodes are part of a longer “story”, which makes the whole context meaningful. After focusing intensely on a new episode, I review all the old ones, so that I am able to digest longer and longer cumulative doses of the language. The Internet and my iPod shuffle make this content accessible and portable like never before in history.

Nowadays, I read the text of whatever I am listening to on my computer. This allows me to access an online dictionary and create my own database of words and phrases for review in a variety of ways. This acquisition of words and phrases, encountered in my listening and reading, is my key measurable goal as I grow in a language.

New words in a language at first seem strange and confusingly similar to each other. However, by staying with simple content, where common words appear often in different contexts, these words eventually start to stick. I usually associate the new words and phrases with episodes where I have heard them. The more associations I can attach to a word or phrase, the easier it is to remember.

I don’t speak much at first. I have so few words anyway. I practice repeating words and phrases out loud to myself, in a haphazard manner. I don’t worry about pronunciation. That will be easier to work on once my brain gets better at distinguishing the sounds.

I might speak a little, just for fun, to try out what I have learned. I can easily find a native speaker tutor or language exchange partner via the Internet. I don’t got to classrooms, since I don’t want to be confused by other non-native speakers.

The Second Stage: Getting comfortable in Most Situations (180-360 hours)

My Goal: To understand ordinary conversations and most everyday language
My Measurable: Less than 10% unknown words in most conversations
Main tasks: Listen to natural conversations; Work on vocabulary; Step up speaking and writing activity
My Target Languages: Russian, Portuguese, Korean

Now that I no longer find the language strange, I want to deal with the language as it is usually spoken or written by native speakers. This is sometimes referred to as “authentic” language.

Conversation is the easiest “authentic” content to understand, because the most commonly used words of a language account for 90-95% of conversations. The same most commonly used words usually account for 70-75 % of more formal written material.

Each item of study is now longer, 3 to 5 minutes or so. I listen to each item less frequently and cover more material, in order to learn more words. I use dead time, doing chores, driving or jogging to listen, over and over. The more words I already know, the easier it is to learn new words. Vocabulary is like money, “the more you have the more you get” or “the rich get richer”.

I like to stick to interesting and familiar subjects in my listening and reading, so I quickly drop anything that is uninteresting, or where I do not like the voices. At first it seems that native speakers talk very quickly, but my brain gets used to the natural flow, with enough repetition. I am not frustrated when I do not understand “authentic conversation”. I feel exhilarated when I do.

Again, Professor Genesee’s observations are helpful: “Students’ vocabulary acquisition can be enhanced when it is embedded in real-world complex contexts that are familiar to them.” I sometimes talk to native speakers on the Internet. Speaking helps me to identify weaknesses, missing words, concepts that I can’t express, and words that I have trouble pronouncing. I can then work on these things on my own.

With limited contact with native speakers, I also write, especially on Internet blogs and forums. Writing is great for learning. I have time to compose my thoughts, and retain a record of my mistakes and problems.

At this stage, my main emphasis is still to listen, read, and increase my vocabulary.

The Third Stage: Constant Improvement (180 hours to forever)

My Goal: To continue to enjoy the language, to learn more words, and to use the language better
My Measurable: Less than 10% unknown words in contexts that are of interest to me
Main tasks: Follow my interests
My Target Languages: French, Japanese, Mandarin, Spanish, Swedish, German, Italian, Cantonese, English

This is the most rewarding stage. I can travel to the country where the language is spoken, or meet with native speakers. I know I will enjoy the experience, even though I make mistakes. I can maintain the language, even if I go for long periods without using it.

This is the best stage to study grammar. I have books and audio books on grammar, intended for native speakers of the language. I am now familiar enough with the language, through exposure, that I can use style and usage manuals intended for native speakers. Nevertheless, my personal interest takes me more to history and literature. I find reading books and listening to audio books, on subjects of interest, is the most enjoyable and most effective way to continue improving, or to refresh in a language that I have not used for a while.

I am not required to take any language proficiency tests. If I were, this is the stage when I would prepare in earnest for them. The keys to success on these tests are, the ability to read quickly and comprehend the spoken language, and a wide vocabulary of words and phrases, all of which I have already acquired, enjoyably and painlessly. Only at this level would I take these test, since I know that I would score well.

This is also the stage to work on special skills like making presentations, writing academic papers, or producing business reports. It is easy to find relevant material in the target language on the Web and elsewhere. The goal is to imitate the wording and turns of phrase, as well as the ways of organizing information, that are most appreciated in a particular language and culture. It is easy enough to find a native speaker professional tutor or coach, again via the Web, to work on these skills.

Conclusion

Having done it a few times, I know that I can learn a new language, or improve in a language I already speak well, including my own. So can anyone else who wants to. The key is motivation and enjoyment, not a school or a diploma. I know, as well, that the pursuit of perfection in any language is futile, so I am happy to make mistakes and do not really ask to be corrected. I just like to feast on languages, drinking, eating, tasting, chewing and digesting them. I never get full, although I may get a little intoxicated from time to time.

This is the final article in a series of three on language learning by Steve Kaufmann. Steve is a former Canadian diplomat and has had his own company in the international trade of forest products for over 20 years. Steve founded The Linguist Institute Ltd. in 2002 to develop a new approach to language learning using the web. The new LingQ system for learning multiple languages is now available. Steve also maintains a blog on language learning.

  • http://pavelkralicek.cz Pavel Králíček

    Hello, I´m glad to see, that somebody wants to learn our language (Czech)! Maybe you don´t know, that our language is quite hard to learn, but I wish you good luck.

    Mayy I ask you, why do you want to learn our language? It´s not so common..

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  • http://victor.vscngmail.com Victor V.

    Some people, like myself, just love learning new languages :P
    Also, in the internet with so many good content, why be limited to English?

    Anyway, I can help you continue learn Portuguese if you want, I am Brazilian. Just notice that there will be some grammar differences between European and Brazilian Portuguese. I used my website as email, if you want to contact.

  • Hans Holter Solhjell

    Hi. Great article. My interest is not really languages, but practical approaches to learning in general, and also for specific topics. I like your approach here, and would like to throw in an idea, or if you are already familiar with it, ask for your opinion. One language I find very interessting, and plan on learing, is the constructed language Interlingua. Check it out on this website, http://www.interlingua.com/. It seems to me this is a very easy, and fast approach to getting a basic understanding of language, as well as basic vocabulary for, and functional understanding of, seven European languages at once.

  • http://www.lingq.com Steve

    Pavel,
    My parents are from a town called Prostejov in Moravia. I was born in Sweden, and never learned Czech.

    I have been learning Russian using LingQ, and am really enjoying it. As soon as we can offer Czech at LingQ I will start on it with the goal of going for a visit to Prostejov and meeting people and speaking Czech.

    I am hoping some Czech people will become members at LingQ and contribute some recordings of themselves talking about their daily lives. If we can get these transcribed, this will be ideal learning material, until I can graduate to literature, using audio books and text.

    We are too busy now with other things to introduce another language, but I think within 6 months we will open up LingQ to any language, as long as there are sources of content, good online dictionaries, and members who both speak the language and want to learn it.

  • http://www.lingq.com Steve

    Victor,
    Clicking on your name I got “server not found”. Muito obrigado.

  • http://www.lingq.com Steve

    Hans,

    I had a look at the Interlingua website. Very interesting. It makes more sense to me than Esperanto. Interlingua only aspires to be a modern Latin, comprehensible to all speakers of Romance languages. This is an achievable goal and would make it a rival to English and Chinese or Hindi as a language which gives access to lots of speakers. It could be a stepping stone to other Latin based languages.

    If there is interesting audio and e-text content available we would like to offer it at LingQ.com one day.

  • http://www.iqleap.com/ K. P.

    Wow you must be very ambitious to try and learn these various languages. I am focusing on Japanese at this time. I love watching the Japanese anime series. I think that learning the language will help me enjoy the episodes more. That way I don’t have to read the sub titles to know what they are saying.

  • Eric

    How did you come up with the number of hours required for each level of fluency (expect for the final number, of course)? Your own experience, or a numbers set down by a group of language teachers? Is it an average, or what a talented learner would be able to do?

  • http://www.lingq.com Steve

    I am assuming about one hour a day, mostly listening. This means 2-3 months for stage one, 6-12 months for completing stage two and at least 6 months before you are comforably into the third stage.

    The time involved depends on the learner,the language and the goals. The first period is only about getting over the initial strangeness of the language and feeling confident that one can learn it. If the learner focuses on lost of repetitive listening, I think most people will overcome the strangeness in about 2-3 months of regular listening, reading and vocabulary review, based on one hour a day.

    It is the second stage which can take a greater range of time. It also depends on the goals of the learner. If you can accept continuing uncertainty in the language and spend your time largely on listening and reading, rather than grammar exercizes, I think that most people will complete this within one year.

    The final stage is open ended. This is a guide of what to expect, and not something that is exactly measurable.

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  • http://www.varsityblah.com/about Eugene (Editor, Varsity Blah)

    I just started learning Spanish a few days ago and can’t get enough! I never thought it would be so much fun!

  • Eric

    Thanks for the explanation.

  • Jen

    Hi Steve, I really enjoy your articles. I’d like to know what you think about “passive learning” – for example having a French radio station play in the background all day long, even if you don’t understand anything of what is said (yet). Can something like this support your active studies of a language?

  • Jeff Bueh

    I’ve never heard of the 180/360 rule. It’s something I’m going to structure my goals around.
    On learn a different language. I live in Chicago and many tongues are spoken. It amazes me that as Americans we have this speak English attitude. I’m going to attempt Chines. It has great career potential ,and the idea that I’m not limited in communicating is power.
    I wish more U.S citizens would empower themselves and not be biased.

  • http://www.edufire.com Sandra

    Steve,

    Great insight – thank you for breaking the process down into such easy to envision steps. It really makes it much less intimidating. Great job!

    Sandra

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  • Mikorka Kalman

    Wow! Good luck!

    If you want an interesting and quite difficult language, check out Hungarian. A European language of Asian origin that has nothing to do with any of the Slavic and Indo-European languages spoken in countries surrounding Hungary.

  • http://www.expressyourselftosuccess.com Laurie | Express Yourself to Success

    Thanks for outlining how to go about learning a language. It’s very different from the way we’re taught in school so maybe I’ll have more luck with your method.

    I’ve learned a second language, French, and keep it in my mind by watching French programs television. Nothing deep like documentaries, just a talk show here and there, soap opera or the news. Sometimes I repeat what they’ve said or answer the questions that were asked by the reporter – when no one is around, of course. ;)

  • http://www.valodas.com John

    I’m learning French with software from http://www.valodas.com Best, that it’s free ;)

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  • carmen

    Hi Steve: I was wondering what you think about children learning different languages. I think all of the studies show that children are “sponges” and that they learn at an early age. However, to send my child to a private elementary school with a mandarin immersion program will leave me barely having enough money for the mortgage and food… Do you think it’s possible for my child to learn another language at a later age, for example, starting in middle school? Your article would say “yes,” but I believe you’re highly motivated to learn other languages. It’s a different story when a parent has to play the “know what’s best card” and recommend more studying. Thoughts?

  • http://www.lingq.com Steve Kaufmann

    Carmen,
    I do not think that we need to worry about forcing languages at children. The experience with French immersion in Canada is that there is very little difference in the final outcome between early immersion (from grade 1) and late immersion (grade 6). The important thing is the motivation of the learner.

    I would make sure your child develops a taste for reading. If your child is interested in listening to stories in another language, or if you have relatives who speak another language, or if you travel to another country this can also stimulate an interest in other languages.

    I tried very hard to get my kids to learn languages and failed. It was only later than one of them, who played professional hockey in Europe and Japan, developed this interest.

    Make sure your child enjoys reading, the rest will come.

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  • catherine

    hi, i saw your article today and got very deep impression. thank you for your ideas :)
    BTW, i am learning French these days, how long does it take you to learn French? and, do you think Latin can really help ppl with Indo-European languages acquisition？
    well, it is still ok if you didn’t get time to reply:) best regards!

  • http://www.lingq.com Steve Kaufmann

    French is easier for a person who knows Romance languages or even English because of all the common vocabulary. Learning Latin does not help in my view.

    The length of time depends on you. Give LingQ a try.

  • catherine

    i’ve listened to your explanation in 11 languages. I was shocked for a moment, since i myself also speak Cantonese. very impressive! especially your Japanese, i mean there is even no ‘western accent’ in it… your are my idol now, Mr Kaufmann.

  • http://www.lingq.com Steve Kaufmann

    Thanks Catherine and good luck with your French.

  • http://www.ktranslation.com/ korean translator

    well written

  • Marc

    Hi, very good article thanks. Do you know where I can find French storybooks with audio? I’ve been looking all over the net but can’t find any. Thanks again for a very interesting article