How fast to be "fluent" in a language?

[Thoucydides]

How long would it take for a person who is:

- naturally good at languages
- has studied many languages both ancient and modern in the past
- knows both Latin and English
- has studied historical linguistics

to get "fluent" in French, assuming he/she:

- works more or less all day every day 7 days a week
- has circa 5 hours tuition at a language school on a weekday?

I ask here because google is giving me worryingly high answers, like 1 year, and I feel sure it can be done quicker. I am toying with the idea of taking an intensive French course on an upcoming gap year (I have done no French whatsoever thus far), and was faintly hoping that I could squeeze it into a 2/3 months (though it would still be worthwhile if I didn't reach "fluency".)

I'm aware that fluent is a very loose concept...

[charlie]

what's the rush? learning a new language takes time. slow down, savor the moments, you'll learn more that way. trying to do too much too soon is a major cause leading to "burn out". is that where you want to end up at?

[Bert]

1 year is worryingly high to become fluent

[Lucus Eques]

For true fluency and proficiency, a year sounds good. It took me three months to be reading fluent in Latin, and that's from Lingua Latina. But I only became orally fluent in the many months to follow.

Still, you'll pick up French fast. Surely you'll be conversational in a few months, comfortably. The rest will come with ease. Enjoy!

[GlottalGreekGeek]

Given your situation, I'd say you could pick it up in 2-3 months.

I would suggest you look into French in Action (which is availible free at http://www.learner.org/resources/series83.html when you sign up for a free account)

[Lucus Eques]

Amesome! merci pour le French In Action!

[lozzic]

For true fluency and proficiency, a year sounds good. It took me three months to be reading fluent in Latin, and that's from Lingua Latina. But I only became orally fluent in the many months to follow.

WOW that has certainly given me even more enthusiasm lol

[cb]

hi, i think def. do the course while you can. my wife does an intensive french course, i wish i could. cheers, chad.

[Agrippa]

The best thing I did for my French was listen to a lot of french rap. If you listen to trained actors and newscasters all day you're not going to understand when some kid says "moi j'suis de paname"