How U.S. diplomats learn languages | FSI language courses review

Summary

In this video, the speaker discusses the time it takes to learn a language, referencing the U.S. Foreign Service Institute's (FSI) language difficulty list. The speaker covers the FSI's categories of languages, from easy (like French and Spanish) to difficult (like Arabic and Mandarin). They challenge the idea of reaching a B2-C1 fluency level within the given study time, emphasizing the importance of motivation, language structure, and available resources. The speaker highlights the evolving landscape of language learning, where self-study and diverse content have become essential tools for success.

Takeaways

• 😀 The FSI (Foreign Service Institute) categorizes languages based on their difficulty for English speakers, with categories ranging from 1 (easiest) to 5 (most difficult).
• 😀 Category 1 languages include Afrikaans, Danish, and Spanish, requiring about 24 weeks (5 months) of study to reach a B2-C1 level of fluency.
• 😀 Category 2 languages like German require 30 weeks (7 months) to learn, with challenges like verb placement and noun declensions.
• 😀 The speaker expresses skepticism about achieving a B2-C1 level in just 24-30 weeks, emphasizing that fluency takes longer and involves ongoing practice beyond classroom learning.
• 😀 Instructional time at FSI is intense, with students spending five hours a day in classes, but the speaker feels this is too much, advocating for a more balanced approach with self-study.
• 😀 The importance of motivation and interest in a language cannot be overstated, as it significantly impacts how easily and effectively one learns.
• 😀 Different writing systems significantly affect the ease of learning a language, with alphabets like Latin being easier than more complex scripts like Arabic or Chinese characters.
• 😀 Transparent writing systems (like in Spanish or Greek) are easier to master compared to languages with more complex orthographies (e.g., Danish or Arabic).
• 😀 The speaker believes that immersion and exposure to real-world content (like news, music, and media) can be as effective, if not more, than traditional drills and classroom settings for language learning.
• 😀 Some languages, like Arabic, present unique challenges due to their multiple dialects, making it harder for learners to focus on one consistent form of the language.
• 😀 While reaching a B2 level in just a few months might be unrealistic for most learners, it's possible to establish a solid foundation in a language that can later be built upon through continued exposure and practice.

Q & A

What is the focus of the speaker’s discussion in this video?

The speaker discusses the U.S. Foreign Service Institute's (FSI) categorization of languages by difficulty, the estimated time required to learn them, and factors that influence language learning, including methodology, motivation, and writing systems.

How does the FSI categorize languages by difficulty?

FSI categorizes languages into five levels, from Category 1 (easiest for English speakers) to Category 5 (most difficult). The categorization is based on linguistic similarity to English, including writing systems, pronunciation, and grammar.

What is the estimated learning time for Category 1 languages, and what are some examples?

Category 1 languages are estimated to take 24 weeks (about five months) to learn. Examples include Afrikaans, Danish, Norwegian, French, Dutch, and Spanish.

Why does the speaker question the difficulty level of Danish compared to Swedish?

The speaker finds Danish harder to pronounce than Swedish and questions its placement in the same difficulty category as Swedish, given the challenges with pronunciation and the opaque writing system.

What level of proficiency does the FSI claim learners can achieve with their method?

FSI claims that learners can achieve a B2-C1 proficiency level (advanced level) in a language after the estimated learning time, though the speaker expresses skepticism about reaching this level in the given timeframe.

What is the speaker’s experience with the FSI's estimated learning times?

The speaker believes that the FSI’s estimated times for reaching a B2-C1 level are optimistic. Based on their own experiences, they argue that achieving fluency at that level usually takes more time than suggested.

What is the speaker's opinion on the learning methodology used by FSI?

The speaker criticizes FSI’s reliance on drills and intensive classroom sessions, suggesting that while such methods can be effective, self-study with engaging content may be just as or more effective in certain situations.

What role does motivation play in language learning, according to the speaker?

Motivation is a critical factor in language learning. A learner’s personal interest and desire to learn a language make it easier and more enjoyable, leading to better long-term success in language acquisition.

How do different writing systems affect the difficulty of learning a language?

The familiarity of a language’s writing system plays a significant role in learning difficulty. Languages with a similar alphabet or script (e.g., Latin, Cyrillic, Hangul) are easier to learn, while languages with more complex scripts (e.g., Arabic, Japanese) are more challenging.

Why does the speaker find Arabic more difficult to learn?

The speaker finds Arabic difficult due to its multiple dialects (e.g., Egyptian, Levantine) and the challenge of switching between them. Additionally, the Arabic script and its pronunciation add complexity to the learning process.