J-pod investment...

[gaghl641295]

I'm very exited to start learning japanese, but I had a question.
If I studied 1-3 hours every day, how long would it take for me to become minimal fluent in japanese?
Also is there anyway I could get an international pen-pal?

[mwbeale6642]

I've been studying with Jpod101 for about 10 months now: basically from absolute beginner (but I started with Jpod101 beginner series1). I listen to Jpod 101 about 2 hours a day (running, commuting etc.): about the same amount of time you are suggesting. 10 months of that has got me to the stage where I can hold a basic conversation in Japanese (if the Japanese person is considerate to the fact that I'm learning the language). I suspect it'll be another couple of years at least before I am minimally fluent.

The other students in my Japanese class (I do an evening class one night a week) don't use Jpod101 (despite my suggestions!). I think I am making better progress than them and I think it is partly down to Jpod101.

It's great to be able to understand more and more as the months go by. Stick with it.