Kathryn
How Long Does It Take to Learn Khmer?
Hello!
I was born in Cambodia and adopted at 3 months old so I have no connection to my native culture. I've always been interested in going back and learning more about it because I believe that opening yourself to other cultures helps you grow as a person. Next semester I am studying abroad in Thailand for the first half of the semester for about 2 months, and the second half of the semester in Cambodia for 2 months. My courses will include history but also Intro to Thai and later Intro to Khmer. I am opting to live with a Khmer family so I can be constantly immersed in the culture and language. On the Language Testing International website (https://www.languagetesting.com/how-long-does-it-take) it says it takes 16 weeks (480 contact hours) to gain a Low/Medium Intermediate understanding of a Group III Language (which includes Khmer and Thai) with an Average Aptitiude which I'd say I have. With 2 months of constant immersion, can I have an advanced understanding with great effort?
2017年8月27日 02:27
解答 · 5
I find the terminology on that site rather confusing. According to the Foreign Service Institute, it takes 1100 contact hours for professional proficiency (about C1 on the CEFR) (for a learner whose native language is English). The figure is very fuzzy, since there are a lot of factors that come into play, but it's twice as long as the time needed for a more closely related language like French or German. Imagine trying to learn French in one month. Unless you still have the language somewhere in your subconscious mind from when you were three (not that three year olds really speak that well), I'd say reaching even a B2 level in two months would be exhausting. You should gain the ability to interact somewhat in daily situations, but as far as language level, A2 (advanced beginner) or maybe (setting your sights really high) B1 (intermediate).
2017年8月27日
half a year!
2018年10月13日
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