Learning French as a teenager is an amazing opportunity.
How long will it take to learn French as a teenager?
It will open many doors for you in the future. It will give you a competitive edge in job hunting and will also be great for your personal development and help you understand other cultures better.
But how long exactly will it take to learn French as a teen?
This is an important question because this factor can have a big impact on your decision to start learning French now or later.
Ideally, you want to learn as soon as possible so that you get the most out of it right now.
However, if your schedule is packed with extracurriculars and other activities, maybe waiting until after high school to start learning another language would be more realistic.
Here are some things to keep in mind before making that decision.
What is the best way to learn French as a teen?
There are many different ways to learn French; the best one for you depends on your personal preferences and lifestyle.
But, if you decide to start learning French now as a teenager, the best options would be either self-study or online classes.
Learning a language with peers can be fun and help you stay motivated. However, it is not always possible and not always the best option for teens.
If you choose online classes, you can choose from various options. Some are more suitable for teenagers than others, so check if they are age-appropriate. You can also choose to do both.
For example, you can start with self-study and then transition to online classes when you need more structure. Studying languages on your own can be a very rewarding experience.
However, there are some things you need to keep in mind if you want to make the most out of it.
What is the ideal time commitment for learning?
This will depend on the method you decide to use. If you go with self-study, you can probably get away with spending less time than an online class.
But, keep in mind that self-study is not a quick process. You cannot expect to be fluent in 3 months. Depending on your level and commitment, it can take a few years.
If you decide to take an online course, it will depend on the program you choose, but expect it to take a few months to learn basic French and a few more to become fluent.
One thing to keep in mind is that time is a great teacher.
The more time you give yourself to learn the language, the better you will be at it. If you spend only a few hours per week on French, you probably will not learn it very well.
The benefits of learning a language as teens
It is a common myth that teenagers are too young to learn a language.
Teenagers can learn a language just as well as adults. There are several benefits to starting to learn French at this age. First of all, your brain is still developing.
This means that it is the perfect time to learn a new language. As you age, your brain becomes more rigid, making it harder to learn new languages.
It is also easier for teenagers to stay motivated. You have energy, and you do not have many responsibilities yet.
You do not have a job or a family to worry about. You do not have to worry about school as much as you would if you were in your 20s.
You also have fewer responsibilities than in your 30s or 40s.
Should you wait until after high school?
If you decide to wait until after high school to start learning French, you should know that it will be harder to catch up once you enter college.
You will have less time, and finding the time to dedicate to French will be more challenging.
You will also be behind your peers who started learning French as teenagers. Depending on how old you are now, you will start college with people who have already been learning French for 10 years.
Many of your classmates will already be fluent and can understand French lessons and read French textbooks. You will be at a disadvantage if you decide to wait.
But, if you are still in high school and cannot decide whether to start learning now or later, there are a few things to keep in mind.
Learning French as a teenager is a great decision.
It is easier to stay motivated, and you have plenty of time to master it. You also have the advantage of a flexible schedule, so you can choose when to study or find ways to fit it into your busy daily routine.
So, if you are a teen and are thinking about learning a language, do not hesitate. The sooner you start, the better.