How long will it take me to learn to speak chinese?

I have been studying full-time for 4 semesters, in Shanghai, I am 35, so my age does not help, but, it will take at least 1 1/2 years to be to a point where you can effectively communicate, but it will take longer much longer to be fluent, the Chinese language is complicated, the grammar is the opposite of English, and to be able to read a newspaper I am told I should know at least 3500 characters, the best thing to do is get out on the street and practice, bu yong xie!