How long does it take to learn Vietnamese? This is the best place to answer that question! If you are wondering how long it will take you to actually master this Asian language, the answer to that question is probably shorter than you might think. Although we can’t tell precisely how long it takes, we can look at some patterns that might help.
You see, many factors influence how long it takes to learn a new language, including how much time you devote to learning, your level of proficiency, and whether you have resources and guidance from teachers/tutors who know what they’re doing. Your background knowledge of Asian languages can also be useful.
In this article, we hope to shed some light on how long it will take you, our dear reader, to learn the Vietnamese language. We’ve also included some great tips to speed up your learning process! Read on!
Why Should You Learn The Vietnamese Language?
Learning Vietnamese may seem daunting, but the benefits are well worth the time and effort. After all, becoming fluent in Vietnamese opens up many personal and professional opportunities for you to grow.
Learn Vietnamese For Business
Vietnam is an attractive destination for businesses and professionals due to its rapid economic development and increasing integration into the global economy. Therefore, knowing Vietnamese can give you a competitive edge in the job market and help you communicate with local partners, clients, and colleagues.
Understanding Vietnamese Culture
How long does it take to learn Vietnamese? Perhaps forever! Learning Vietnamese also immerses you in the rich cultural heritage of Vietnam and its people. Your familiarity with the language makes understanding the nuances of Vietnamese customs, traditions, and art forms easier. This will help you understand Vietnamese history and its diverse regional influences.
Connect Better With Vietnamese Speakers
What’s more, you’ll be able to connect with locals on a more personal level and get a more authentic taste of Vietnam’s vibrant society. Your ability to communicate in Vietnamese will significantly enhance your travel experience. Challenge yourself to learn Vietnamese, and you’ll be rewarded with life-enriching experiences and opportunities.
How Long Does It Take To Learn Vietnamese?
How long you’ll need to learn Vietnamese depends on several factors, including your current language level, goals, motivation, learning methods, and time commitment.
According to the Foreign Service Institute (FSI), which provides foreign language training to U.S. diplomats, becoming proficient in Vietnamese typically requires about 1,100 hours of intensive classroom-based study. Achieving proficiency means understanding and communicating effectively on various topics and in multiple situations. However, it does not necessarily imply fluency or native-like ability.
Note that this estimate is based on the average learner’s experience in formal academic settings. Your learning journey may vary depending on your approach to language acquisition and level of practice. Some learners may achieve fluency more quickly than others by applying effective strategies and immersing themselves in Vietnamese. For example, some people can have a basic conversation after 4 to 6 months. Hence, you can ask how long does it take to learn Vietnamese, but you might not even know that you’re already learning right now!
Factors That Influence The Time It Takes To Speak Vietnamese
Previous Language Learning Experience
If you have previously learned a different language, especially a tonal language similar to the Vietnamese language, you may find the learning process more straightforward this time!
People with previous experience learning foreign languages understand how languages work and how they differ from one another and have understood how patterns in grammar and vocabulary become common across languages. Tonal language learners also have a better-tuned ear for sounds that may not be present in their native language.
The Learner’s Native Language
Another thing that can influence the time it takes to learn Vietnamese is the learner’s native language. If their languages are similar, it may be easier to understand. In the case of Vietnamese pronunciation, however, with many tonal differences unique to it, things might be a bit more complicated (especially for people with no experience in Asian languages, such as native English speakers).
It can be a complicated language to learn, especially for those who speak a European language or similar. In addition, the correct pronunciation of words alone will require a lot of people to understand what is essentially Vietnamese writing to make sense of the accents used.
Time Commitment And Learning Process
As with many undertakings, the time you spend doing something equals time spent getting better at it. Learning the Vietnamese language is no exception. The amount of time you spend practicing the language will help you get better at speaking it. Vietnamese grammar and vocabulary will require many language learners to devote thousands of hours to master it.
The learning method will also impact the time it takes to learn any language. For example, some people learn Vietnamese vocabulary and communication by reading books or using apps. Some work better by immersing themselves in the culture and creating connections through language learning. Others are willing to invest in Vietnamese lessons taught by native speakers to get better at it.
It might take a few tries to find a suitable learning method for you, but those committed enough to master Vietnamese will find a way to learn the language in a way that works for them!
Tips To Speed Up Learning Vietnamese
Immerse Yourself In Vietnamese Culture
Learning foreign languages is easier if you know how to immerse yourself in the culture of your target language. How long does it take? It depends! Immersing yourself means genuinely living and breathing the native culture of the language you are learning.
In the case of Vietnamese, immersion can be found in many ways. First, you can learn the occasional Vietnamese word through shows, YouTube videos, or music. But, of course, interacting with people with the language skills you seek is best.
Visiting the country to interact with native Vietnamese people, finding other Vietnamese speakers in your local area, using a Vietnamese app to teach you the language, or hiring a Vietnamese teacher are all ways to immerse yourself in the language as much as possible.
Watch, Listen, And Read Like A Local
On immersion, learning a new language is best done when you’re constantly practicing it. You can encourage this by changing your phone language to Vietnamese so you are forced to use Vietnamese to interact with a device you use daily.
You can also start listening to more Vietnamese music or watching movies, shows, and videos in Vietnamese without relying on subtitles. That way, you can absorb a new language better, as most of the media you consume daily are in a different language!
Join A Community
Joining a local Vietnamese community or participating in a language exchange program in your area is an excellent way to learn the Vietnamese language. Through basic conversations and engaging with native Vietnamese speakers, you’ll quickly improve your understanding of the language and gain confidence in your ability to practice speaking. By doing this, you will learn the nuances of the Vietnamese spoken language and foster meaningful connections with others who share your interests.
Commit To Practicing Every Day
Practicing your skills daily is essential to speed up your journey to learning Vietnamese. You will gradually build up your confidence and proficiency in the language by dedicating time each day to improving your written and spoken Vietnamese. Trust us, consistent practice and determination will help you overcome linguistic challenges and improve fluency! So make it a habit to immerse yourself in the Vietnamese language daily.
Learn Vietnamese Fast With Ling
Of course, there’s only one way to learn Vietnamese fast that is efficient and – more importantly – fun! And if you got this far, you know exactly what we’ll say next…
Welcome to the Ling app, a fantastic language-learning app that helps take your Vietnamese skills from zero to hero. How long does it take to finish a lesson? 15 minutes tops! Each class is divided into bite-sized pieces that let you learn as much as you want, whenever you want.
Ready to give it a try? Begin your journey to fluency in Vietnamese (or any of the 60+ languages Ling offers) by downloading the app for Android and iPhone for free today!
