How long does it take to learn Croatian?

• Hi! I'm thinking of going to Croatia for a year and wonder if it's possible to learn Croation within that time. Any ideas or experiences? Thanks for your help!

  18 May 2007, 06:53 Paul

Replies

• 12 months minimum

  Good luck mate!! I tried for half a year and still suck! I guess one year will be the minimum.

  Alex 18 May 2007, 07:28 - Report

• In response to Paul's query...

  Paul, what you didn't indicate in your post was whether or not you had any exposure to or command of any of the other Slavic languages.
  
  Having spent a year abroad in Moscow, Russia I learned the language there (not a command - more of just a day-to-day usage.) What I found was that learning Croatian was infinitely easier as there are quite a few similarities between the two.
  
  Like anything you wish to learn, alot is going to hinge on the efforts you put into learning the language, practicing the language you are learning as often as possible, etc. If funds permit, I'd suggest hiring a tutor for your Croatian language studies - you'll drastically shorten your learning curve in the process.
  
  Another idea: secure an apartment or a private room with a Croatian family and in exchange for them teaching you Craotian - you'd offer to teach them conversational English. Get creative! Think outside the box!
  
  If you really wish for this to happen, it will - provided you put forth the energy and desire to learn - especially if you remain patient and flexible with the people of Croatia, their culture, and acknowledge there are going to be differences from the living conditions in your home country.
  
  Good luck to you, Paul...let us all know how things turn out for you.
  
  Regards,
  
  

  Bruce 03 Sep 2007, 06:37 - Report

• to paul

  paul, i am 13 and i am half croat and being born there its now my first languauge. i came to nz when i was 10 and im in my first year at high school. i have friends that im trying to teach and theyve been learning well. i have taught one of them lots and she can speak it very well and would be able to hold a proper conversation. it took her about 8 months and she worked really hard so yes, i think that if you try really hard you could be quite good by then. by the way she didnt have any language skills she was just hardworking!

  Shakira 12 Nov 2007, 02:30 - Report

• Language learning

  Croatian is very difficult if you've never had exposure to a slavic language before. It's a case language with 7 cases and 3 genders plus singular and plural forms. Therefore, even if you have a good vocabulary it's imperative that you know which of the 42 different ways you can use that word. I would say that to be conversational you would need a minimum of 1 year in full time (30-40 hours per week) language study.

  Prijatelj 01 Dec 2008, 12:37 - Report

• Use videos!

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2p-ykVYbMY

  Marko 15 Apr 2009, 07:19 - Report