How Long Does It Take To Learn French?

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If you’re just starting to learn French, you’re probably asking yourself a lot of questions. How long does it take to learn French? Is French a hard language to learn? What’s the best way to go about learning it?

The short answers are: it depends, it’s not hard to learn compared to most languages, and the best way to learn is with a language learning method like Rosetta Stone!

How long it takes to learn French depends on your language goals, the amount of free time you have, and how motivated you are to learn. In this article, you’ll learn how much time it takes to reach specific learning goals, where French lands in language difficulty ratings, and how to stay motivated. 

6 language levels in French

Before determining how many hours you’re going to devote to learning French, it’s best to have a goal in mind with how you’d like to use your French. You may want to know the basics before you travel, need it for school or work purposes, or hope to have enough knowledge to live and work in a French-speaking country. 

Getting acquainted with the six language levels, as defined by the Common European Framework of Reference for Language (CEFR), can help you set realistic goals and figure how long it’ll take you to learn French.

Level A1: The very basics

Everyone needs to start somewhere when learning a language. Reaching level A1 means you are able to introduce yourself and give basic information, such as where you live and things you own. 

The sentences you speak are simple but mostly correct. You’re able to have successful but simple interactions with others, provided conversations are slow and with someone who’s willing to help. You can use most basic French words and phrases. While every learner starts here, most French learners will want to move beyond this goal.

Level A2: Basic everyday user

Moving to Level A2 means you’ve expanded your basic vocabulary and are able to navigate everyday situations. You can have simple interactions with others in routine situations, such as making a purchase, provided nothing unexpected happens. You can also expand on information about yourself, giving simple facts about your immediate environment and your background. 

This level of French is great for those who want to be able to know the basics before traveling to a French-speaking country.

Level B1: Reaching independence

The “B” levels are described as “independent.” To achieve B1 level in French means you’re able to go about an independent life in work and school, as well as travel independently. While not completely fluent, you can now speak in simple and compound sentences, as well as understand and speak in a variety of French verb tenses. 

You are able to use French idioms, as well as express opinions and plans on a variety of subjects. You may still not be able to handle unexpected events, but your daily and predictable interactions are successful. This level of French is a common goal for French learners, as it allows them to move freely and with ease while traveling throughout the French-speaking world.

B2: Approaching proficiency

To move from level B1 to B2 in French means you are solidly independent, and on your way to becoming proficient. The biggest difference between B1 and B2 is spontaneity. At level B2, you are now able to have interactions on a variety of topics, and in-depth discussions on topics familiar to you (such as your field of study or work). Your level of fluency creates easy interactions with native speakers. 

In addition to speaking, you can also understand and produce detailed texts on a wide variety of subjects. Level B2 is a good goal for someone wishing to live or work in a French-speaking place, or someone who wishes to go beyond what’s needed for travel.

C1: Solidly proficient

Levels C1 and C2 are described as “proficient.” At the C1 level, you’re able to understand in-depth texts and implicit meaning. You’re also able to have conversations and interactions with ease and fluidity, rarely searching for a word or expression. You can produce more academic language, such as cohesive devices and connectors. 

You can also navigate social, academic and professional situations with ease. This is a goal for someone who wants to seamlessly integrate into life in a French-speaking place.

C2: Completely fluent

In short, Level C2 means you’re virtually indistinguishable from a native speaker. There’s nothing you don’t understand. You’re able to navigate any situation with ease, clarity and complexity. This goal is usually only reached by completely immersing yourself in French in social, academic, and professional situations.

How long will it take me to learn French?

Many factors determine how long it takes to learn French. One of the biggest is the amount of time you have per week to dedicate to learning French. Another is your target language level for French, and how you plan to use it (in the workplace, studying, travel, etc.). Set your goal, make a schedule, and stick to it!

To reach French professional proficiency

FSI estimates that as a Category 1 language, French will take about 750 hours to learn to reach “general professional proficiency.” According to the Federal government’s Interagency Language Roundtable (ILR), this is equivalent to a 3 out of 5 on the ILR scale and aligns with the B2 level defined by CEFR.

If you’re willing and able to dedicate 25 hours per week to learning French, you should achieve a level of B2 (professional proficiency) in French in about 30 weeks. However, for most people, 25 hours a week isn’t plausible with their busy schedules. So, if you can dedicate an average of two hours a day to learning French, it’ll take you a little more than one year to reach B2 level. This level of French would allow you to pursue professional opportunities.

How long does it take to learn French for other goals?

Not everyone has a goal of moving abroad to work in a French-speaking country. If you have other language goals than reaching a B2 level of French, here’s how long it will take you to achieve those levels, according to the Alliance Française Silicon Valley (note the estimate for reaching the B2 level is slightly less than that of FSI):

Of course, this process varies by learner. Someone studying on their own at home will learn at a different pace than someone who moves to Paris and is totally immersed in French. 

For those of us not fortunate enough to move to Paris anytime soon, Rosetta Stone’s Dynamic Immersion method is a great way to immerse yourself in French from the comfort of your own home! This allows you to naturally learn French without the need for rote memorization.

How hard is French to learn?

According to the Foreign Service Institute (FSI), French is one of the easiest languages to learn for English speakers. On a scale of 1 to 4 (4 being the hardest), FSI considers French to be a Category 1 language. This means that the French alphabet, sentence structure, and pronunciation are most similar to English and will take the least amount of time to learn. 

Other Romance languages such as Spanish also fall in Category 1, along with Scandinavian languages like Swedish and Norwegian.

Stay motivated to improve your French proficiency

So, how long does it take to learn French? It all depends on you! Learning a new language takes time and dedication. A great way to improve comprehension is by watching and listening to things in French. Consider listening to a French playlist while you’re making dinner or walking your dog. You could also check out a French podcast or a TV show or French movie on Netflix. The more input in French you have, the faster you’ll reach your language goals.

You can also improve your French proficiency and take your language learning to the next level using Rosetta Stone’s live lessons and tutoring. Both offer additional practice with native speakers to improve your comprehension and fluency. And with TruAccent improving your pronunciation as you learn, you’ll be on your way to mastering French in no time!