I need advice - how long does it take to learn Polish?

In Germany there is intensive language course called Integrationskurs. It teaches German language from 0 to B1 level which is basic level of language understanding which allows to understand and talk about simple topics, but quite freely. I don't know if it's what you meant, but level higher is needed to start study in Germany - B2. Course consist of 600 lessons units (450h) and takes 6 months with lessons Monday - Friday 4 or 5h per day. I think around 30% of people manages to pass after 600 lessons. It's partially because many students don't have big motivation or don't know how to study effectively or their native language is very distant from German or it's their first foreign language and they're older.

So if that website is correct and Polish takes 47% more time to learn, then you have a chance to learn it up to basic B1 level in 9 months (around 900 lessons)

B1:

Thank you. Nine months doesn't sound so bad to get to B1. My mind has been put at ease now.

Yes but it's full time studying with teacher and homework. There are 1 year intensive Polish language courses, preparatory for studies (so perhaps it teaches up to B2) in Poland. If you are serious about it, have money and live in Poland, then you could join it.

Oh right, I'm doing a polish course and have some of time on my hands so hopefully I'll get close to B1 in a year/ a year and a half. Unfortunately i can't move to Poland for a year due to other commitments. I wish I could!

So little out of the main topic, but I have a very good method of learning new words. Kindle 5G with proper dictionary (you can buy one through Amazon) and reading books in given language. Start with special texts for learners, and only later progress to simple contemporary books. It's important to start from special simple texts not to be overwhelmed with new words or at least make them to be the most common one. Forcing yourself to learn new words without context is horrible and learning through reading books is semi automatic - no forcing.

Dictionary in Kindle makes translation just one click. I am writing about it here, because I have discovered that only week ago and before I had been wasting time with separate dictionary.

That is so true! Thanks for the tip, I am planning to start reading in Polish.

There is something very oldfashioned called evening classes. Completely out of date in these times but still the most efficient way to learn a language.

Yeah I'm taking classes but they are going at a slow pace and haven't even really explained the grammar yet so I'm going ahead and learning the grammar by myself.

Merged: Learn polish

What is the best Quickest way to learn Polish? I know a few words. Plan to visit poland this year. I have a book on the language, but i can not retain it.

For beginners, I highly recommend children's books, poems, etc. for anyone who is in the beginning phrases of learning a new language.

Once you have a basic grasp of the alphabet, grammar, and some vocabulary, the next best thing to do is to immerse yourself in the culture and live in the country, or at least spend a bit of time there. Learning a language is a lifelong experience. I scored a 32 on my high school ACT in English (which is like 97% percentile out of 99%) and I still learn new words and phrases all the time. I also took Spanish for 4 years in college and I learned more Spanish vocabulary and grammar living in Mexico for a few months than I would've spending a couple hours every week for a year in a classroom.

Classrooms are great for learning the alphabet, grammar, and some basic vocabulary. Another great way is to read children's book and gradually move up in difficulty - that's how I started learning Spanish and Russian (which I am still learning). Immersing yourself in the culture, watching Polish movies/TV, reading newspapers would be your next step after you learned the basic. Before long, you won't be breaking up words into smaller syllables and reading with your finger and you'll sound like a native Pole!