One of the most common questions we hear at French as You Like It, our Paris-based language school, is: “How long does it take to learn French?”
As a French teacher who teaches students daily from all over the world, I have experienced that the timelines of learning French vary from student to student.
Here, let’s explore realistic timelines, influencing factors, and proven strategies to help you achieve your French language goals.
How Long Will It Take You to Learn French? What the Research Says
According to the Foreign Service Institute (FSI), French is a Category I language.
To reach basic fluency, beginners usually need up to 200 hours of practice. For an intermediate level, it takes around 300 to 600 hours. To become advanced, you typically need around 1,200 hours.
| CEFR Level | Proficiency Description | Approx Learning Time |
|---|---|---|
| A1 | Beginner – greetings, basic phrases | 60–100 hours |
| A2 | Elementary – survival French, simple conversations | 150–200 hours |
| B1 | Intermediate – everyday conversations, opinions | 300–400 hours |
| B2 | Upper Intermediate – professional communication | 500–600 hours |
| C1 | Advanced – fluent, nuanced discussions | 700–900 hours |
| C2 | Proficient – near-native fluency, complex tasks | 1,000+ hours |
Of course, these numbers only tell part of the story. Real progress depends heavily on how you study, where you study, and how consistently you engage with the language.
Key Factors that Decide How Long It Will Take You to Learn French
1. Your Language Background
If you already speak another Romance language like Spanish or Italian, you’ll likely progress faster.
Even for native English speakers, around 30% of English vocabulary comes from French, which gives you a head start.
2. Your Environment
Being in a French-speaking environment like Paris naturally accelerates language learning.
However, with the right tools and methods, it’s possible to make great progress from home through online lessons, media, and conversation practice.
3. Your Time Commitment
Consistency is better than intensity when it comes to learning French. To effectively learn French, you can just study for half an hour daily with complete focus.
Here’s a realistic breakdown of timelines for you based on study frequency:
| Study Time per Week | Learning Goal | CEFR Level | Estimated Time to Reach |
| 3–5 hours | Travel French – Basic conversations | A2 | 3–4 months |
| 5–8 hours | Conversational fluency | B1 | 6–9 months |
| 10+ hours | Professional working proficiency | B2 | 6–12 months |
| 15+ hours with immersion | Advanced fluency | C1 | 12–18 months |
4. Your Learning Style
French as You Like It is aware of the differences in learning styles. While some students gain from group courses, others find great success in immersive one-on-one sessions.
Structured courses, immersion, language exchanges, and self-study all impact your speed of learning French.
5. Goals and Motivation
You need motivation, which is also an important key to learn French quickly. Without it, even the best teacher or study plan won’t help much.
Motivation also needs discipline. You need to be organised and stick to a routine. In this way, you can learn French more effectively.
In the end, consistency is often the secret to learning French fast.
What I’ve Observed as a Teacher
Let me share the story of Daniel, a software engineer from Brazil who arrived in Paris with minimal French.
He enrolled in private French lessons three times a week, and we also practised vocabulary during real-life outings in markets, cafes, and even on the metro.
After just three months, Daniel was confidently managing everyday tasks in French. Within six months, he was interviewing for jobs in his field — in French.
He told me, “I learned more in my first month here than in a year of trying apps. The difference was being immersed in the culture and having lessons that actually reflected my real life.”
This kind of rapid progress is common among our students who combine regular study with contextual, Paris-based learning.
FAQs about the Timeline of Learning French
Q: How long does it take to be fluent in French?
If you study regularly (about 5 hours a week), it might take 1 to 2 years to become fluent. Studying more often can help you reach fluency faster.
Q. Could I learn French in six months?
Indeed, six months is enough time to learn basic French, especially if you prioritise conversational fluency and commit enough time to study.
With constant effort, you might achieve a B1 level—about 350–400 hours of study.
Q. Is French more difficult than any other language?
Because of pronunciation and grammar, French is harder than Spanish, even though it is simpler than Mandarin. With regular effort, it’s possible to learn.
Q: How long would it take to learn French for travel?
A2 (180–200 hours) is enough for travel, achievable in 6–12 months at 5 hours/week.
Q. How much time will it take to learn French?
It depends on how much time you spend learning and how often you practice. On average, it takes about 600 to 750 hours of study to reach a good level of French.
Q. How quickly can I learn French?
If you study every day and use French in your daily life, you can learn the basics in a few months and reach a good level in 6–12 months. It all depends on your effort and consistency.
Learn French in Paris — As You Like It
We at French as You Like It believe that learning French should be enjoyable, personal, and beneficial.
We use Paris itself as our classroom, not just books. We’ll help you learn French in a way that suits your objectives and way of life, whether you’re here for a week or a year.
The best way to find out how long it will take you to learn French is to get started and let us help you along the way.
To know about our French courses and start your French adventure in the centre of Paris, get in touch with us right now.