The Astonishing Amount of Time and Effort Put into Learning English

Most people don’t realize the tremendous amount of time and effort that goes into learning English.

Bryce Purnell
6 min readJul 7, 2023
Meme — My teacher trying to tell me that English is fun, written in text with buzz lightyear and woody standing there
Image from https://makeameme.org/meme/my-teacher-trying-54104922f1

It is a language that is not always celebrated or appreciated, and yet so many people invest countless hours into mastering it.

The Expectation to Speak English

It is no secret that English has become the dominant language in the global economy and the international community. In many countries, it is often expected that people speak English for work and other international events. While this expectation is understandable, it is important to recognize the effort and dedication that goes into meeting this standard.

For non-native English speakers, the journey to fluency is not an easy one. It takes countless hours of practice, studying, and hard work to become proficient in a language that is not their mother tongue. And yet, these efforts often go uncelebrated.

Students of English as a second language should not be expected to learn English, but instead, they should be complimented on their English skills. Learning English requires a significant amount of time and effort, which should be acknowledged and celebrated.

It is important to note that the expectation to speak English does not always take into account the various backgrounds, cultures, and languages that people come from. It can create an unfair disadvantage for those who are not fluent in English. As a global community, we should strive for inclusivity and respect for all languages and cultures.

Meme — Written in text You said Learning English Was Fun — people pointing at a funny cat at dinner.
image from https://makeameme.org

The Uncelebrated Time Spent Learning English

Learning English is no small feat. It takes a tremendous amount of time, effort, and dedication. However, the time and effort that students put into learning the language is often overlooked and uncelebrated. It’s assumed that students are supposed to speak English, so it’s often taken for granted. This expectation ignores the significant amount of time students spend learning the language.

It’s crucial to understand that learning a language isn’t just about the time spent in a classroom. A student’s dedication to improving their English skills goes beyond their class schedule. It’s a continuous effort that requires daily practice, study, and patience. Yet, this dedication is rarely acknowledged or recognized.

It’s essential to recognize that students’ language acquisition process isn’t always linear. Sometimes they might feel like they’ve reached a plateau, while other times, progress can be incredibly slow. Learning English is a journey, and the journey itself should be celebrated as much as the destination.

Unfortunately, this lack of celebration often leads students to feel discouraged or undervalued. The truth is, every small step counts towards progress and improvement. By acknowledging and celebrating the time and effort put into learning English, students feel appreciated and motivated to continue.

Here is a basic dot point guideline to help understand the hours!

Level of English (CEFR)Number of hours of instruction

  • Zero to A 170 hours
  • A1 to A2 150 hours
  • A2 to B1 300 hours
  • B1 to B2 200 hours
  • B2 to C1 200 hours
  • C1 to C2 200 hours

The Dedication Required to Learn English

Learning English is not a task that can be accomplished overnight. It takes hundreds of hours to complete a single level of English proficiency, whether it be A1 or C2.

And that is just the beginning. The four main language skills, reading, writing, speaking, and listening, all need to be developed and improved upon simultaneously.

As any English language student can attest, the amount of time spent studying and practicing can be overwhelming. Every aspect of English language learning requires dedication and hard work. The endless list of grammar rules, idiomatic expressions, and pronunciation patterns can be exhausting, but it is necessary for anyone looking to become proficient in the English language.

But the journey doesn’t stop there. After spending countless hours learning the language, students then have to prove their mastery of the language in accordance with the CEFR guidelines. This is no small feat and can be quite daunting. But, through persistence and perseverance, students can master the language and earn the certification they need.

Overall, learning English takes an enormous amount of dedication, and it is not something that should be taken for granted. Those who are learning English are constantly working to develop their language skills and make strides in their personal and professional lives.

They deserve recognition and appreciation for their dedication to learning English and improving themselves.

Meme — Written in text — The first of learning English there are no rules with Brad Pitt behind us.
Image from https://makeameme.org

Language Acquisition Behind the Scenes

For English language learners, learning a new language requires countless hours of practice and frustration. Contrary to popular belief, learning English does not happen overnight, despite what people may see on social media. It takes time and effort to achieve fluency in English, and many students invest years into perfecting their language skills.

Behind every English speaker is a story of countless hours of dedication and hard work. From studying grammar rules to practicing pronunciation, the process of learning a new language requires constant attention and focus. This can often be an isolating and overwhelming experience for English learners, but the satisfaction that comes with improving is invaluable.

Furthermore, language acquisition does not just happen in the classroom or during structured study sessions. It happens through daily practice, whether that be through watching movies in English, listening to podcasts, or conversing with native speakers. These moments of immersion allow English learners to see the language in a real-world context and improve their skills in a more natural way.

It is important to recognize and celebrate the amount of effort and dedication English students put into learning the language. Their perseverance and commitment to mastering a new skill should be commended, and we should remember that speaking English is a great achievement, no matter how long it took to get there.

How Learn Laugh Speak Helps Busy Adults Learn Easier

As adults, we often find it difficult to commit to learning a new language due to our busy schedules and multiple responsibilities. That’s where Learn Laugh Speak comes in. This comprehensive online learning platform is designed specifically for busy adults who want to learn English in a natural and positive way.

With over 33,000 full lessons covering reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills, Learn Laugh Speak offers a flexible and customizable learning experience that can be tailored to fit your busy lifestyle. The platform is accessible anytime and anywhere, which means you can fit in your English lessons during your daily commute, on your lunch break, or even before bed.

What sets Learn Laugh Speak apart from other language learning platforms is its digital environment, which creates a natural and immersive experience for language acquisition. The platform also employs a variety of interactive learning tools, such as videos, audio recordings, and interactive exercises, to help students retain the knowledge they have learned.

Perhaps the most significant benefit of Learn Laugh Speak is that it takes the pressure off students to commit to a specific class time or learning schedule.

You can move through the lessons at your own pace and work through the material that is most relevant to your needs and interests. This personalized approach means you can see real progress in your English skills, even if you only have a few minutes to spare each day.

Overall, Learn Laugh Speak is an excellent resource for busy adults who want to learn English but struggle to fit regular classes into their schedule.

With its flexible and customizable learning experience, digital environment, and immersive approach to language acquisition, Learn Laugh Speak makes learning English fun, easy, and effective.

www.learnlaughspeak.com

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