Arabic-L:PEDA:Comparative hours to learn various languages

[Dilworth Parkinson]

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Arabic-L: Fri 22 Feb 2008
Moderator: Dilworth Parkinson <dilworth_parkinson at byu.edu>
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1) Subject:Comparative hours to learn various languages

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1)
Date: 22 Feb 2008
From:Gordon Witty <gwitty at earthlink.net>
Subject:Comparative hours to learn various languages

Ahlan
there's this website--perhaps others have already referred you to it.   
But I'm curious to know your reaction.

http://www.nvtc.gov/lotw/months/november/learningExpectations.html

here is the info for those not inclined to follow the link:

Language difficulty
The Foreign Service Institute of the Department (FSI) of State has  
compiled approximate learning expectations for a number of languages  
based on the length of time it takes to achieve Speaking 3: General  
Professional Proficiency in Speaking (S3) and Reading 3: General  
Professional Proficiency in Reading (R3). The list is limited to  
languages taught at the Foreign Service Institute.

It must be kept in mind that that students at FSI are almost 40 years  
old, are native speakers of English. and have a good aptitude for  
formal language study, plus knowledge of several other foreign  
languages. They study in small classes of no more than 6. Their  
schedule calls for 25 hours of class per week with 3-4 hours per day  
of directed self-study.

Category III: Languages which are exceptionally difficult for native  
English speakers:  88 weeks (second year of study in-country) (2200  
class hours)
Arabic, Cantonese, Mandarin, Japanese, Korean

the site lists 3 "categories," while the other government listings  
I've seen have listed four.  In any case, by the estimates mentioned  
here, one year of college-level Spanish would equal four years of  
Arabic.  That ratio seems to me to be a bit off, but then, I haven't  
had a year of college Spanish.

You can understand why I'm reluctant to refer my students to this  
site.  First year Arabic at Temple is 4 hours per week.  2nd and 3rd  
are 3 hours per week.  you do the math.
best
Gordon

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