How long does it take to learn English?
Here at Studio Cambridge, we often get asked how long it takes to become fluent in English. The answer: everyone is different!
How long it will take you to learn English depends on many things:
- Your current level of English
- Which languages you already speak
- If you’re living in an English-speaking country
- How hard you study
- How much you practice
Factors that affect how long it takes to learn English
Motivation
It goes without saying that if you are motivated to learn and you work hard, you will learn faster!
Exposure to native speakers
If you are living and working in an English speaking country and speaking in English frequently (such as with roommates or in your job) you will pick up the language much quicker than you would at home.
Listening to English
If you’re unable to spend time with native speakers, then watching English TV shows is a great way to pick up vocabulary and learn English quickly. Alternatively, you might want to try listening to English speaking podcasts to broaden your vocabulary.
Reading in English frequently
Even if you are speaking English regularly you might find it difficult to write in English without reading. Reading the news, books English novels or even putting your social media feed in English are all great ways to reduce the amount of time it takes to learn English.
Prior Linguistic Knowledge
Once you have studied and acquired a new language, your skill at learning another will increase. Language learners are able to translate skills from one language to another because they’re able to recognise the rules and patterns of language, even if the vocabulary is different.
Progress at Studio Cambridge
As we mentioned earlier, the exact time a student needs to make progress is variable depending on the student.
However, as a rule of thumb it takes the average Studio student 6 weeks to increase their IELTS score by 0.5. A further 6 weeks’ study will be needed to acquire the exam skills.
Time for an average Studio Cambridge student’s progress in English as measured on the IELTS scale
IELTS
3.5 Studio level 3: Lower Intermediate
6 weeks – Intensive English and Language Skills Plus
4.0 Studio level 4: Intermediate level
6 weeks – Intensive English and Language Skills Plus or Reading and Writing.
4.5 Studio level 4: Intermediate or PET level in the Cambridge exam suite.
6 weeks – Intensive English and Language Skills Plus or Reading and Writing.
5.0 Studio level 5: Upper intermediate.
6 weeks – Intensive English and Language Skills Plus or Academic Skills.
5.5 Studio level 5: Strong Upper Intermediate or FCE level in the Cambridge exam suite, typical score required of an ARU undergraduate.
6 weeks – Intensive English and Language Skills Plus or Academic Skills.
6.0 Studio level 6: Advanced. The typical score required by most UK universities including the Northern 12.
6 weeks – Intensive English and Language Skills Plus or Academic Skills
6.5 Studio level 6: Advanced or CAE level in the Cambridge exam suite.
6 weeks – Intensive English and Language Skills Plus or Academic Skills.
7.0 Studio level 6: High Advanced. The typical score required for a post-graduate course at Cambridge University.
6 weeks for a student with a high level of language ability.
7.5 Studio level 6: High Advanced or Proficiency level in the Cambridge exam suite.
6 weeks for a student with a high level of language ability.
8.0
If you’d like to improve your English, why not join one of Studio Cambridge’s courses, the oldest English language school in Cambridge, established 1954!