My Korean friend said she began speaking in tongues very quickly, maybe a few months, after becoming a Christian. She said the more mature Christian speaks in tongues. Is this true?
I see someone answered before I did, but I think you still want an honest answer.
My answer to your question (because of how your friend worded it) is "Sort of". What I mean by that is her wording is on the right track but isn't completely accurate.
Some start speaking in tongues when they get baptized. Some receive speaking in tongues when they are all alone, seeking God. Some receive it when they get prayed for with laying on of hands. Some struggle for awhile before they can "let it function" because it seems so 'weird'. <-- I was this last kind even though I'd actually received it just after getting baptized (in Jesus' name for remission of sins). All need to learn when and how to use it properly, once they've received it, which is part of why 1 Corinthians 14 was written.
As you read about people in the bible who received the Holy Ghost, you can see the path they took to get it. The apostles (and the rest of the 120 in Acts 1) started out as normal folks (fishermen, tax collectors, doctors, women, girls, etc) they became believers, became disciples, got baptized, continued to grow in knowledge and experience and seeking God until the day that God poured out the holy ghost on them (with speaking in tongues) at which point they became sons and daughters of God.. It would be flawed to accuse them along this path. And I will not accuse you.
Others (after the day of Pentecost) received the Holy Ghost (which still came with speaking in tongues) in various ways Some at laying on of hands. Some as they heard the word. There's not a promise of when you will receive it, but there is a promise that it is available to you. (As the Holy Ghost is a promise to ALL that God calls (per Acts 2:38,39).
I encourage you to keep seeking until you find. Keep asking until you receive. Keep knocking until it is opened... to YOU.
"If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?" -Luke 11:13 KJV
That's what they had to do until the day of Pentecost. (acts2). That's what had to be done in Acts 8:12-17, Acts 10 (Cornelius' seeking was a good portion of his life) and Acts 19:1-6. <--that one is most like your situation. You are already a believer and a disciple, and perhaps have been baptized in some fashion. But you may still need to be baptized
correctly and to receive the Holy Ghost. Keep seeking God until you have ALL that he has to offer, not just what is easy or popular.
I will be praying for you, and hope to support you.
Love in Jesus,
Kelby
P.S. There will likely be a lot of resistance to what I just told you. Don't be surprised. Jesus told his disciples "If they persecute me, they will persecute you." That's still true today.