Wondering whether to study a language at home or immerse yourself abroad? This thoughtful piece explores the advantages of both approaches—and why combining them might be the most powerful path to fluency.
How Much Time Does It Take to Learn a Language?
Have you ever caught yourself wondering, “How long until I can actually speak this language?” You’re not alone! The answer isn’t one-size-fits-all and depends on what you’re hoping to achieve.
Need enough Spanish to order tapas in Madrid? That’s a different journey than preparing to study abroad in Berlin for a year. Your personal language learning timeline depends on your goals, mindset, previous language experience, and the language itself.
At ILI, we’ve guided thousands of students through their language journeys—from ordering their first espresso in Italian to navigating complex work conversations in French. What we’ve learned is that the most important question isn’t how long it takes to “learn a language” but rather “How much of the language do you need to achieve your dreams?”
German Immersion: The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Learning German in Germany
Immerse yourself in the German language and culture with our ultimate guide to learning German in Germany. From choosing the right school to making the most of your time abroad, discover tips and insights to accelerate your fluency, navigate cultural nuances, and fully embrace your language learning journey.
ILI’s Highlights of 2023: You helped make them possible!
Free English classes welcome more immigrants and refugees than ever before! It was early 2023 when the MA Department of Elementary […]
This article has a new version: How much time does it take to learn a new language?
Quick question. Does it take three months or two years to learn a foreign language? The answer is yes. In […]
Northampton’s International Language Institute earns highest ranking from national accreditation authority
The Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training (ACCET) has certified the International Language Institute (ILI) of Massachusetts through August 30, 2026. This five-year accreditation is the highest level bestowed by ACCET, which since 1978 has been officially recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a reliable authority regarding the quality of education and training provided by the institutions ACCET accredits.
Charles the language person: An Interview with an Italian and German language student living in the USA
An interview with a multilingual person and his experiences learning languages and how they have enhanced his life.
5 tips on how to efficiently learn German from home
In his humorous essay “The Awful German Language,” Mark Twain recounts his struggles studying German, joking that learning English takes […]