If you want to learn the exotic language of France and are contemplating how long does it take to learn French, then you are at the right place to get all the required information.
French is one of the most loved and easiest languages to learn, especially for native English speakers.
It is a Category I language, according to the Foreign Service Institute. Thus, you can learn to speak French in about 30 weeks with complete dedication and consistency.
Spending a minimum of 30 minutes daily on learning can go a long way, and you can be proficient in a new language in no time.
The crucial thing that you must remember is that the learning pace differs from learner to learner. Some may achieve excellence in less than 30 weeks, while others may take longer.
So, do not dwell on the negatives by comparing yourself to others.
Today we will increase your familiarity with the French language and ensure you are clear on your aim for learning so that you go all the way for the learning.
Let us begin & learn how long does it take to learn French fluently and more.
What Are The Different Learning Levels In French?
Different people have different goals associated with learning a new language. The different diploma levels of the French language do not concern you if you are learning it for leisure.
However, if you want to advance your career in a company that works in French or study at a top French university, you need to pass certain language proficiency levels.
It is similar to how non-Americans have to prove they have a good grasp of English in terms of reading, writing, and speaking. The French language has six official learning levels, with each one certifying your specific level of proficiency.
Each diploma is provided by the Council of Europe, which develops the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
- A1 DISCOVERY
A1 is the first level or first stage of certification for the French language. If you pass this test, it means you are a primary French speaker.
In simpler terms, you can easily understand and use every day & basic French phrases with ease.
Also, you can introduce yourself in French and ask & answer questions related to elements like your home, family, surroundings, & more.
This beginner level will also notify others that you can understand a French speaker if they speak slowly & clearly, and are willing to repeat themselves for you.
- A2 SURVIVAL
It is the second level of French learning. Owning an A2 level certificate will tell others that you can understand hefty sentences and frequently used expressions in everyday life.
It also says you can communicate directly with fellow French speakers and exchange information.
- B1 INDEPENDENT
The B1 level of the French language indicates that the certificate bearer can communicate in French without needing help from others.
The B1 certification says that you can hold a long conversation easily, ask for directions, and handle any travel situation without tiring yourself or others.
This certification also means you can read, write, & speak the language at a level where you don’t fumble.
- B2 UPPER INTERMEDIARY
The B2 level certificate will indicate that you are more fluent and spontaneous in talking in French, using its complex idioms & tenses.
You have no difficulty forming sentences and expressing yourself to others and require little to no repetition from others.
- C1 ADVANCED
This stage shows the level of proficient users. Suppose you hold a C1 Diploma in the French language. In that case, it indicates that you can converse in complex texts & long sentences and recognize implicit meanings.
C1 diploma holders can talk to native French speakers easily and can even comprehend their fast speaking.
In addition, you can use the French language in social, academic, and professional scenarios efficiently without mixing up.
- C2 MASTERY
The final level of French proficiency is C2. After earning this diploma, you are an official French speaker, and your knowledge is acknowledged globally.
This certification will indicate that you can read, write, listen, and speak French effortlessly without needing help.
It is the mastery level of proficiency.
8 Factors That Determine How Long Does It Take To Learn French
If your new resolution is to learn French, and you are all fired up to start but still thinking about how long the journey will be, several factors are at play.
Learning style and purpose differ from person to person. If you are learning for leisure, your learning might be slower than someone learning to get the French language certification.
It is common among new language learners to drop the learning in the middle as they are frustrated with how long it is taking them, especially when they compare themselves to others. But you need to understand that not two people are on the same learning. Some might make it a critical task for themselves, while others can take it as a fun activity.
So, instead of asking yourself questions like can I learn French in 3 months and more, focus on starting the process and stick to it with your complete dedication.
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To make it more clear to you, in this section, we have listed X crucial factors that determine how long does it take to learn French fluently.
Explore each factor and learn what might impact your learning speed.
1. Learning Goals
What are your goals behind learning French affect how long it will take you to master it.
If you are learning it to advance in your career or studies, you will surely put in more effort and get desirable results faster.
However, if you are learning a new language for fun or traveling, you might take the learning lightly and take longer to finish the task.
The bottom line is that every learner has a different reason to begin learning. Thus the criticality of the purpose affects the learning goals.
2. Your Native Language
How well you can learn or speak a foreign language depends majorly on what is your native language.
Some languages hold similarities to French, while others are entirely different.
If your native is Spanish or English, you are more likely to learn French faster than a native speaker of Japanese or Chinese.
3. Your Motivation Level
We only go through some things we start. It is a universal fact that people do not complete everything or every task they start.
It is all affected by your attitude and motivation level for the task. You will finish it if you are excited and pumped up to perform.
The same logic goes in your French learning. People who are interested in the French language and culture/history and dream of connecting to fellow French speakers to learn more are more likely to succeed in learning.
However, suppose you are not interested in the language or are not fascinated by it enough. In that case, you will not feel motivated enough to do the learning with dedication.
Thus, your attitude toward learning and finding ways to keep yourself motivated affects your success time.
4. Your Daily Learning Input
Consistency is the biggest key to learning anything or achieving any goal you have.
How much time you spend daily on learning will tell how long it takes to learn French if you speak English or any other language.
It does not matter if you spend an hour or fifteen minutes. The only difference is that the longer you put in daily learning, the faster you will see results.
But remember, it all will happen with consistency only.
5. Your Learning Method
The method you choose to learn affects how much time you will take to learn French.
Suppose you study it in your school, university, or French class. In that case, you will have a curriculum to follow (which can take a long) and surely will gain in-depth knowledge.
An online course offers you a wide range of tools & resources to help you. Online resources generally have a shorter learning span than other methods.
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And if you are going for one-on-one French tutoring, it will benefit you the most. The learning pace will be according to you. You can get your doubts answered instantly and have someone check on you.
Whether you complete your learning in 6 months or a year is exemplary. You still have to practice to boost & maintain your language skills. We recommend using external tools & resources along with your learning method.
6. Your Knowledge Of Other Romance Languages
If you are fluent in other romantic languages like Spanish, Italian, Romanian & Portuguese, learning French will be much easier for you than for someone who doesn’t.
All romance languages are derived from Latin and thus have similar vocabulary and grammatical features.
7. Is French Your First Foreign Language?
Another crucial factor that impacts your learning time is whether French is your first foreign language.
Learning a foreign language for the first is trickier than the second or third time.
If you have learned a foreign language before learning French, the process will be easy for you as you will be familiar with ways of doing it.
But if it is your first foreign language, you might need help working on it, which will take longer.
In a nutshell, experienced learners are fast learners as they are familiar with the process and are well-motivated & dedicated.
If you are a first-time learner, try to understand that there will be block points but giving up is not the solution.
If you find yourself stuck, ask for help, and look online for solutions and other alternatives.
8. Your Age
We are not trying to discriminate here, but science has proved that your learners can attain a new language faster than adult learners, and adult learners have a better grasp of the language.
In layperson’s terms, adults are better at language acquisition, while young children under 18 are better at language learning.
So, do not be demotivated if you find your younger sibling doing better in learning French than you.
Every age group has its own positive & negative aspects, but this all is overcome by the dedication to learn no matter what.
What Do You Think? how Long Does It Take To Be Fluent in French?
With all the essential details related to French language learning, you can now easily deduce your answer to the questions like how many days it will take to learn French, & more.
Your learning period quickly depends on your reason for learning it, your dedication level, your understanding capabilities, and your learning method.
The learning pace is different for different people. So if you are thinking about how long it takes to learn French, the answer is that it can take months to years.
The B1 level of French learning can easily take 4-5 months, and as you raise your learning bar, the time will also increase.
The best way to ensure you learn regularly is to find fun ways to do it. Develop hobbies associated with it and try to include French in your daily life.
With exemplary efforts, motivation & learning ethics, you will be a fluent French speaker in no time.
FAQs Related How Hard Is It To Learn French
How long does it take to learn French on Duolingo?
If you are thinking of beginning your journey of learning French on online platforms like Duolingo, then the time it will take to complete the task depends entirely on you.
Various online websites and mobile applications have made it easy for people to learn anything they desire.
Duolingo is one such platform. You can learn via its site or download its application on your mobile phone.
Duolingo has a strict format that you have to follow to learn. The best thing is that each section talks about a particular topic of the language.
You not only learn but practice in an exciting and fun way. Duolingo has done a fantastic job of making learning a fun task.
But as we said before, the amount of time it will take to learn dramatically depends on you.
Suppose you are consistent and spend a reasonable amount of time daily & practice regularly. In that case, you will achieve your goal faster than anyone who inconsistently does the learning.
How long does it take to learn French in 1 hour a day?
Studying French for at least one hour a day is an excellent way to start learning.
Giving so much time & attention with complete dedication will boost your learning & understanding of the language.
If you spend at least one hour a day, you can easily conquer the B1 level in two to three months.
To ensure you follow through with the process, set a goal with a deadline and ensure you achieve it.
How long does it take to learn French if you speak Spanish b1?
If Spanish is your first foreign language and you know it only to the B1 level, then learning French up to the B1 level should be easy.
However, the further journey is going to be complicated. You must understand that just because you learned the basics of Spanish, you are not a pro at French.
French is still a new language for you, and it will be challenging as you move forward with its tough concepts.
What is the best way to learn a new language?
The best way to learn a new language is to have the right attitude and consistency.
You should focus on the four central pillars of learning a foreign language. Pay close attention to pronunciation, listening, reading & writing.
Practice whatever you learn every day. If you discover a new word, learn how to pronounce it, write it, read it, and listen to comprehend it.
Focusing on these four significant areas every time you study will help you immensely.
How can I become fluent in French?
If you want to master a task, never stop doing it. And the same goes for your French learning.
After you have finished your learning, whether offline or online ways, do not think you are done.
Practice it every day. Read, write, speak & listen to French as often as possible. Include the language in your routine.
The more you expose yourself to it, the more it blends into your routine and the more fluent you will become.
Conclusion
Learning a new language is a great way to boost your skills and personality. And especially going for the popular languages across the globe like French will advance your chances even more. So, instead of thinking about how long does it take to learn French, you should focus on the learning process and be dedicated to it patiently.
