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How long should it take to learn english as a second language?

Elizabeth L - 2008-06-12 22:50:45 - Other - Education

How long does it usually take for a 6th grader to learn english as a second language? My younger cousin who just immigrated from China has been here for 6 months and has been attending school (he is in ESL classes) and still cannot read or even speak an entire sentence. He has only learned the basics such as "can i go to the bathroom" "how are you today". He can't hold even the most basic conversations. I was wondering if this is normal.

Best Answer:

I only knew spanish when i entered the second grade and had to learn english, by the 4th grade i was the best reader in my class. kids learn quick!

Answers:

forever....

probably a while bc english is the hardest language to learn

english is one of the hardest languages because of the grammer. It may take 1-2 years depending on how fast he lears. I suggest using flash cards with pictures on them to help identify things. Hope it helps!

I only knew spanish when i entered the second grade and had to learn english, by the 4th grade i was the best reader in my class. kids learn quick!

Well, English is actually the hardest launguage to learn. I have an idea to help you out. Put up index cards around the house with a sentence and english translations and tell him, everytime he passes by it, he has to practice saying whatevers on the card. My friend did somthing like that for her french exam and got a A. :D

Probably your fault, he shouldn't be hearing ANY language other than english because if your living here at his age and aren't learning the language, people will hate you. I don't and wouldn't but I know plenty of people that will dismiss your cousin as an equal human being for being so stupid. He should've had english mastered after his first year. Being in those ENS classes probably screwed him so bad, he's going to think it's okay not to know english in America. Well, good luck - but unless you make some serious changes - I don't see a bright future for him.

Your cousin shouldn't feel too bad. It's only been six months and English is a difficult language to learn. Perhaps some Sesame Street videos would prove useful? For the record I know some Americans who could benefit from an English as a second language course.

It should take him two years max. to learn it. I came to USA when i was 12 and at 13 i know i was able to form sentences since i had all A's at school that year and i wasn't even enrolled in ESL classes. The school did provide me with a private ESL tutor but i didn't like the way he tought me so i decided to learn on my own. I think that at six months he should be able to formulate a simple sentence and know more than those basic ones. But give it a bit more time see his progress in a year maybe it will improve. Or what his parents can do is get him some interactive CD-roms to learn english those are fun and helpful :)

It should take around 2 to 3 years to be good at it and 4 to 5 years to be great and 6 to 7 years to be exellent. I'm American and I have been attending a french- american school since pre-school and i am currently in the 5th grade my sister has also attended the same school since pre-school and is now in the 10th grade (the school is pre-school thru 12th) We kno our french really well even tho i still need a little work. But mistakes are how we learn!