How fast can a language be learned with full immersion?

Question

If where to travel some where, say chili and stay with a family, could i be fluent after 6 months to a year with no back ground?

Answer 1

of course.

always practicing saying them out loud and use them daily everywhere you go.

for instance. try translating some text or watch some tv in the language.

Answer 2

Spanish is the primary language spoken in Chile and it's really quite easy to learn. The verbs and tenses can be a bit tricky, but watching spanish TV with subtitles and listening to the people that live there speak really helps. I traveled to Mexico with my friend for 2 weeks and picked up a LOT of spanish. Mind you I had taken 9 years french immersion which helped because  a lot of the words are similar and it made it easier to understand the verbs and tenses... And despite most of the mexicans I hung around while I was there speaking mostly english around us, I still picked up on a lot of things and was able to shop, buy things, ask for directions and figure out maps and stuff fairly easily.

Just practice, pay attention, and try speaking it as much as you can and always ask questions! An english/spanish dictionary would be helpful as well. And if you're REALLY in a hurry, a part time or short term language class would speed things along.

Good luck!

Answer 3

It depends upon the language and how much you are willing to work with it. If you stay in constant contact with your friends and family back home, then no -- six months to a year won't do it because you'll be using too much English.

If you use NO English, you will become proficient. True fluency will take much longer.