How long does it take?
There is no universal answer: it depends on your native language, your pace, your method and your opportunities to practise.
FSI estimates
[modifier | modifier le wikicode]The Foreign Service Institute, which trains US diplomats, places French in the group of languages most accessible to English speakers: about 24 to 30 weeks of intensive training (roughly 600 to 750 class hours) to reach professional working proficiency.
Hours per level (rough guide)
[modifier | modifier le wikicode]Language schools, including the Alliance Française network, give indicative estimates of the total number of guided learning hours:
| Level | Cumulative hours (approx.) |
|---|---|
| A1 | 60–100 h |
| A2 | 150–200 h |
| B1 | 350–400 h |
| B2 | 550–650 h |
| C1 | 800–1,000 h |
| C2 | 1,000–1,200 h and more |
These figures only count class hours: self-study, exposure to the language and practice matter just as much.
What speeds things up
[modifier | modifier le wikicode]- a closely related native language (Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Romanian);
- immersion and regular contact with French speakers;
- daily practice;
- strong motivation and a precise goal;
- previous experience learning other languages.
Example
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🇫🇷 Research and writing: My French
This guide was researched and written by the team at my-french.com, a platform for learning French as a foreign language and the owner of learnfrench.wiki. Put theory into practice: lessons from A1 to C2, quizzes, games, a verb conjugator and a community of learners at my-french.com.