Just thought that I would start a thread for people to discuss thoughts and ideas about how often one should take his/her language lessons assuming that the person works or studies fulltime during the day.
Obviously, an all-day total immersion course would probably be the fastest and most efficient method to learn a new language, but realizing that in reality, most of us have a fulltime workload, total immersion just doesn't seem practical.
I started with private lessons in the states, 4 hrs a week for slightly over one month before moving here. Right now I have 1.5 hours (group of 5 ppl) of German at work each week, which I start to believe it's way too little. Most likely, I will start taking a 1.5hrs x 2 course at Alpha after their summer break. This would make it 4.5 hours a week. How does it sound? Too much or too little for someone in the mid A1 level? My goal is to learn the language as much as possible and to be functionable by the end of this year. Be able to hold basic conversation, etc. Am I day dreaming? I am also considering taking private lessons or another class to make it 6 hrs or 7.5 hrs a week. Any ideas/comments/suggesstions?
ps. I don't usually hear/speak/use any German while at work, so my exposure is very limited.
I would say 2 times a week with a minimum of 3 hours in total is what you need to start learning effectively.
It's about the frequency. Once a week is not enough, you've forgotten what you learned the last time.
If you can, I would say 3 X 1 hour lessons a week is even better than 2 X 1.5.
It also depends on how much homework you have each night. At the B2 level I was doing about 2-3 hours of homework each night for my intensive class.
If you have the time and inclination, I say go for it.
for me, this is the key. To attain any level of competence in a foreign language, you need to be using it on a regular basis, becoming familiar with stock phrases & moving upwards.
I would suggest that you try & get into a tandem learning situation where you can speak German & your correspondant speaks English, this is basically how I learned initially & after that, total submersion, due to romantic situation ...