Learning a language

[bunn]

How long do you reckon it takes to learn a new language to the point where you can have simple conversations with native speakers of that language?

Specifically, how long do you think it would take for someone who can already speak at least two languages to learn an unfamiliar language, when they are in an environment where the unfamiliar language is spoken by everyone and they are working on picking up the language as the main thing they are doing?   Assume that the person has the assistance of someone who can speak both languages, and that the structure of the language is similar to those already known.

I reckon two weeks would be more than enough, but then my attitude to languages is a bit Top Gear.  Pp, who has A's at O Level in several languages he can't speak at all, feels that two weeks is a ludicrous underestimate. 

Comments

[carmarthen.livejournal.com]

I think it depends on what you mean by "conversation," but I could have very, very limited conversations in German after two weeks sans immersion. Those conversations had better be about how I like my coffee (I don't, but still had to learn to say it) and where I come from/where I live.

Getting to the point of having what I would call more freeform/less utilitarian conversations in Hungarian, which is not at all like English - hmm, a few weeks of intensive study/immersion on top of several months of non-intensive study. Without that prep, I'd say two weeks of intensive study - BUT intensive study is very different from immersion with help, and again it depends on what you mean by "conversation." Ordering food in a restaurant/asking where the toilet is comes a lot faster. And getting to the point of almost comfortable conversation took a lot longer, although it wasn't my top priority.