How Long Does it Take to Learn French? Plus Tips to Learn Faster

If you’re learning French, at some point you might have wondered, “How much longer will this take?” The good news is that it takes less time than you think! 

In this guide, we’ll look at what skills you need to reach each level of French fluency and how long it will take you to get there. 

You’ll also learn some factors that could influence how long it takes you to learn French (and I’ll give you some expert tips to speed up the process!). Once you’ve read through this guide, you’ll be ready to start your French studies with a target in sight.

How Long Does it Take to Learn French: The Short Answer

According to the U.S. Department of State, French is an easy language to learn for native English speakers. It takes approximately 750 class hours for a native English speaker to reach a solid conversational level in French. This is thanks to the many linguistic similarities between English and French, like borrowed words and sentence structure. If you already speak a language more similar to French, like Spanish or Italian, it’ll take you even less time! 

Of course, the total time it really takes to learn French depends on what level you want to reach and how much time you spend studying each day. To calculate how long it will take you to reach your goal in French, try out Langoly’s Fluency Calculator below:

Full Breakdown: How Long it Takes to Reach Each Fluency Level

The CEFR scale is used to measure and describe the different language proficiency levels. To help you understand the CEFR scale, we’re going to break it down by level. This way, you’ll be able to see how to reach each level. 

Beginner (A1) – ± 0 hours of study

At a beginner level, you can understand and communicate using basic French vocabulary. You are familiar with basic everyday expressions, but you might need help to understand French spoken at a conversational pace. Note that you’re automatically placed at this level when you start studying French for the first time.

Pre-Intermediate (A2) – ± 200 hours of study

At a pre-intermediate level, you understand frequently used French expressions. You are familiar with the most common French vocabulary and can easily form short sentences to describe your hobbies, needs, and likes and dislikes. You can also participate in brief conversations and write short texts related to these topics. Reaching this level normally takes around 200 hours of study.

Intermediate (B1) – ± 400 hours of study

At an intermediate level, you can understand the main points of everyday conversations in French. You are able to discuss and write about topics related to school, work, and routines without having to prepare beforehand. At this level, you can also describe emotions, interests, and experiences. However, you might still need native French speakers to talk more slowly to follow a complete conversation. Reaching this level usually takes around 400 hours of study.

Upper-Intermediate (B2) – ± 600 hours of study

Once you reach the upper-intermediate level, you can understand more complex or abstract topics in French. You can speak French with ease and give your opinion on familiar subjects. You are comfortable talking to other French speakers and can follow along without feeling too overwhelmed. At this level, you can also write well-structured texts with clear arguments about a wide range of common topics like the environment and current events. To reach the B2 level, you need around 600 hours of study.

Advanced (C1) – ± 800 hours of study

As an advanced-level language learner, you can express yourself in French fluently. You can understand French slang and idiomatic phrases as well as colloquial speech, even when the speaker’s pronunciation isn’t completely clear. At this level, you are familiar with advanced grammar concepts and can create complex sentence structures. You can also write complex texts with a specific type of reader in mind. Reaching this level usually requires around 800 hours of study.

Proficient (C2) – ± 1000 hours of study

At a C2 level, you have reached complete proficiency in French. This means that you’re able to understand despite the French dialect of the speaker. You can create clear arguments about topics like politics, culture, or current events. At this level, you are also able to read and write extensively with ease. To become fluent in French, you’ll need around 1000 hours of study.

Keep in mind that your natural ability to acquire languages will affect how long it takes to learn French. The amount of time you spend studying French will also determine how long it takes you to become fluent in French.

5 Factors That Influence How Long It Takes to Learn French

Everyone has a different experience when it comes to becoming fluent in French. Just like there are different ways to study the language, there are a number of steps that can change how long it will take you to learn French. Below, you’ll find some factors that influence how long it will take you to reach your French language goals:

1. Your Native Language

Depending on your native language, you might have an easier time learning French. It’s even easier to learn French if you speak a Romance language like Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, and Romanian. Romance languages have similar vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation so their native speakers don’t have too much trouble learning French. If I mentioned your native language here or if you know a second language, you already have an advantage in learning French!

To get you started, here’s a table with similar words in French, Spanish, and Italian:

2. How Much Time You Can Dedicate to Studying

How much time you spend studying can directly impact how long it will take you to master French. If you want to make continuous progress, you’ll need to spend at least a couple of hours each week developing all French language skills. But, if you study for at least an hour every day, you’ll be able to make more progress in a shorter amount of time. However, you need to keep in mind how much time you have to study. It’s always best to be realistic with your goals, and creating a French learning routine that fits your schedule can keep you on the right track.

3. How Well You Want to Speak

While speaking French with ease is an ability every language learner would like to have, it might not be what you need depending on why you’re studying the language. Some French learners are satisfied with being able to communicate on a basic level, while others would like to sound like native speakers because they live in a French-speaking country. The truth is that developing a perfect French pronunciation takes time and practice, and means you’ll need to reach at least a C1 proficiency level. But, if you simply want to be able to ask for directions or book a hotel room, an A2 level is a more appropriate goal.  

4. Your Reasons for Learning French

There are many reasons to learn French, and identifying why you want to learn the language will help you define a clear goal. For example, you don’t need to reach a C2 level of French if you want to travel to France for two weeks. An A1 or A2 level should be enough for basic conversation, and it only takes a couple of months of regular study to reach these levels. On the other hand, you might study and practice French consistently for up to a year if you want to reach the C1 level needed to study abroad. All reasons to learn French are valid and the sooner you start, the sooner you’ll reach your goals.

Here’s a useful video with basic French phrases you need to start your French journey:

5. How You Learn French

Everybody learns in different ways, and luckily, there are many resources you can use to study French. For example, a French course is ideal if you want to follow a structured lesson plan and access various learning tools. Online language courses have set lesson plans you can follow to go from the A1 to the C2 level. If you want to immerse yourself in French, you could try listening to French podcasts or watching YouTube videos to develop your listening comprehension while you learn about the language. There’s something for everyone, so make sure to pick what works best for you.

Expert Tips to Learn French Faster

While learning French is fairly easy, you can still follow some steps to improve your language skills even more quickly and effectively. Here are some tips you can follow to learn French quickly:

Choose the Right Study Method

Choosing the right study method can make studying French a much easier experience. There are different types of French resources and different types of learners. Some people find that it’s easier to understand French concepts (like sentence structure or verb conjugation) when they can see how each element is placed in a sentence. Other learners prefer interactive tools like French apps with short study sessions. What’s great about French is that there’s a wide variety of study methods for you to choose from, and you can mix and match them to get the best of your studies.

Set a Consistent Study Routine

Studying consistently is the most important step when it comes to reaching fluency in French. By studying every day, you can keep building upon what you previously learned. Constant study keeps you from having to constantly backtrack so you can keep making progress. At the same time, following a study plan is the easiest way to ensure you spend enough time practicing each French skill. Consistency and structure go hand-in-hand, so I always recommend finding a French language book so you can set daily, weekly, and monthly goals for yourself.

Set Attainable Goals to Keep Yourself Motivated

Being realistic with your French language goals will help keep you motivated in your studies. Trying to become fluent in just a few days won’t work and can end up being more confusing than helpful. Instead, set goals that allow you to study in the most comprehensive way possible. This way, you’ll be able to develop all your French skills and move closer to fluency each day. For example, an attainable goal is to listen to one French podcast episode each day – it can take as little as a few minutes!

Forget About Direct Translations

Direct translations might seem like the easiest way to understand new French sentences and words, but this isn’t always true. For example, if you directly translate “l’espirit d’escalier” into English, it will give you something like, “the spirit of the staircase.” But this isn’t about ghosts at all! In English, this French phrase is the equivalent of “should’ve, could’ve, would’ve.” There are many more phrases like this one, and learning how to use them in context can help you sound more natural.

For example, here are other French expressions that can’t be directly translated and their meanings:

Don’t be Afraid to Practice Speaking

Speaking in French can be intimidating at first, but it’s an easy way to test all your language skills. Even if you’re just repeating after a French audio, speaking in French can improve your pronunciation and help you remember the meaning of French words. Even if you have to pull out your phone to look up the meaning of a new word, you’re more likely to remember it if you use it in a French conversation. Make sure to speak in French as much as possible, and you’ll soon notice that it gets easier and easier.

Learn French Faster with Langoly

I hope this guide has helped you understand each level of French and what skills you need to achieve it. Everybody has a different experience when it comes to learning French and it’s always best to be realistic about the time it takes to achieve your goals. By being consistent, combining resources, and using a study method that fits your needs, you’ll make more progress and enjoy your French studies!

To find the best tools to learn French, be sure to check out Langoly’s French Hub!