GITNUX MARKETDATA REPORT 2024

Foreign Language Study Duration Statistics

The average duration of foreign language study for individuals can vary widely, with some spending only a few months while others dedicate years to becoming fluent.

Last Updated: June 20, 2024

Written & Summarized by: Jannik Lindner

How we write

In this post, we explore fascinating statistics surrounding foreign language study duration and proficiency levels. From the estimated time needed to achieve proficiency in various languages to the global impact of language learning, these statistics shed light on the importance and challenges of mastering a foreign language. Let’s dive into the numbers and uncover the world of language learning dynamics.

Statistic 1

"1.5 billion people are learning English worldwide."

Statistic 2

"The US Foreign Service Institute estimates 24 weeks or 600 classroom hours are necessary to achieve professional working proficiency in French."

Statistic 3

"For Chinese, Japanese, and Arabic, it is projected to take 88 weeks or 2200 classroom hours to achieve proficiency."

Statistic 4

"Learning English takes around 12-18 month for Spanish speakers."

Statistic 5

"Learning a foreign language as an adult is hard, it takes an average of 600-750 hours of study to learn a new language to a proficient level."

Statistic 6

"Approximately 20% of the global population speaks English or is in the process of learning it."

Statistic 7

"The annual global market for language service learning is approximately 59.91 billion dollars."

Statistic 8

"Most Europeans (73%) believe everyone in the EU should be able to speak at least two languages."

Statistic 9

"Language learning is perceived as very beneficial by 98% of parents."

Statistic 10

"Chinese is the second most popular foreign language in the world with 189.98 million people studying it."

Statistic 11

"Approximately 92% of students studying a foreign language in the U.S choose Spanish."

Statistic 12

"Over 50% of the world's population speak at least two languages."

Statistic 13

"Over 350 million people are learning English as a second language."

Statistic 14

"It takes approximately 10,000-20,000 hours to achieve native-like fluency in a foreign language."

Statistic 15

"67% of US job recruiters stated that knowing a second language is beneficial."

Statistic 16

"Approximately 1 in 4 U.S. adults can hold a conversation in a language other than English."

Statistic 17

"Participants who learned a foreign language at an early age, demonstrated a known cognitive advantage over those who did not."

In conclusion, the statistics on foreign language study duration reveal the vast global interest in learning new languages, particularly English, Chinese, and Spanish. The varying time and effort required to achieve proficiency in different languages highlight the challenges and benefits of language learning. The high demand for language learning services, coupled with the cognitive advantages and professional opportunities associated with multilingualism, underscore the importance of investing in language education. As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, the ability to communicate in multiple languages is not only a valuable skill but also a catalyst for personal growth and global collaboration.

Jannik Lindner

Jannik is the Co-Founder of Gitnux and has been working in the digital space since 2016. He is specialized in content and tech.

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