How long does it take to learn a second language?
This is a little like trying to answer the proverbial English question: How long is a piece of string? Or the more similar question: How long does it take to learn how to play the piano? The answer clearly depends on what you mean by learning a language or learning to play the piano, and the point at which you decide that your learning is at an end. A sensible answer to the question requires that you first define your learning purpose. Do you want to learn to play the piano sufficiently well that you can entertain yourself and your family at home, or is your intention to become a concert pianist? Do you want to learn English so that you can communicate effectively with business partners, or because you would like to be as proficient in English as you are in your own language? Let us assume in this case that the goal is to learn sufficient English in FIS middle school to be ready to exit from the ESL programme and join the full mainstream. How long will this take? Now it is possible to
