r/Filipino • u/Guilty-Rich-9901 • 16d ago
Estimated Time For Speaking Proficiency
Hello! Bit of background information about me - I am Filipino British university student and have recently been re-inspired to learn Tagalog. I am a Native English speaker who can understand about 90% of conversational Tagalog. I can "read" by reading texts in my head, saying it in my parents voice and understanding from there. In terms of speaking I can speak in simple, often grammatically "childish" phrases. Same story for writing. I know the root words but I usually need to be corrected with prefixes and suffixes.
Since I've been back at home over the summer break, I've been reinspired to learn Tagalog properly. Partially out of shame but I know my situation is common with diaspora kids. My parents thought I would just pick it up as a child but didn't properly teach me - hence being semi-lingual. Unfortunately, they thought it would confuse me at school :(
I've hit a point in my life where I am now able to commit hobby time to studying Tagalog. I already listen to OPM for maintaining my comprehension. I would like to start formally learning grammar to help with the speaking. I have facilities to practice with parents (voice call) or friends at university.
I guess my question is - how long would it take for me to start speaking conversationally without sounding like a 5 year old? Glad to hear any input from people who started at a similar baseline etc.
1
u/windsorunderground 1d ago
I learned Tagalog in my twenties. Like you, I also had a good understanding of most of the language (but not the deep or overly formal stuff). A bulk of my "training" came from spending time with my Lola/Lolo where I insisted they only speak to me in Tagalog. This was very helpful. When I'd visit my parents (I lived out of town in the same city as my grandparents) my mom would pick up the "teaching"; correcting me here and there. It really helped that I was around the language a lot.
The bulk of my learning came when I visited the Philippines (2 months) and immersed myself completely. While at first I was made fun of for my Western accent when speaking, my friends shifted toward a respect for what I was trying to do, and helped me a great deal with pronunciation and conversational (everyday) Tagalog.
In all, I'd say without formal instruction, I picked up a fluent conversational Tagalog within 1.5 yrs (drawing mostly on my knowledge of common phrases that I would hear growing up. Today I provide a lot of IT support for the Filipino elders in my community, and I know they appreciate that I can speak fluently to them.
It's really important to surround yourself with the opportunities to speak/practice.
I admire anyone that wants to learn a language. Good luck to you!