French remains one of the most popular languages for English speakers—and for good reason. It's the language of diplomacy, cuisine, fashion, and is spoken across 5 continents.

But how long will your French journey actually take?

The Quick Answer

The FSI estimates 600-750 hours to reach professional working proficiency in French—making it one of the "easiest" languages for English speakers.

Timeline by Daily Study Time

Daily Study Conversational (B1) Fluent (B2) Advanced (C1)
15 min/day 4-5 years 6-7 years 8+ years
30 min/day 2-2.5 years 3-3.5 years 4-5 years
1 hour/day 1-1.5 years 1.5-2 years 2-2.5 years
2 hours/day 6-9 months 9-12 months 12-15 months

Why French is Accessible for English Speakers

Massive Vocabulary Overlap

Thanks to the Norman Conquest of 1066, roughly 45% of English vocabulary comes from French:

  • Government → Gouvernement
  • Restaurant → Restaurant
  • Information → Information
  • Different → Différent

You already know thousands of French words!

Familiar Alphabet

No new writing system to learn. French uses the Latin alphabet with a few accent marks (é, è, ê, ç).

Abundant Resources

French has world-class learning materials:

  • Alliance Française programs worldwide
  • Thousands of films, songs, and podcasts
  • Huge selection of graded readers and textbooks

The Challenges

Pronunciation

French pronunciation is notoriously tricky:

  • Silent letters everywhere (beaucoup = "boh-koo")
  • Nasal vowels (an, en, on, un)
  • The French "R" (uvular, from the throat)
  • Liaison between words

Gendered Nouns

Every noun is masculine or feminine, and you must memorize which:

  • Le livre (the book) - masculine
  • La table (the table) - feminine

Verb Conjugations

French has many irregular verbs and tenses:

  • Present, passé composé, imparfait, futur, conditionnel, subjonctif...

What Each Level Feels Like

A1 (80-100 hours)

  • Order at a café: "Un café, s'il vous plaît"
  • Introduce yourself and ask basic questions
  • Understand very slow, clear speech

A2 (180-200 hours)

  • Have simple conversations about daily life
  • Describe your family, job, and hobbies
  • Read simple texts with familiar vocabulary

B1 (350-400 hours) — "Conversational"

  • Travel independently through France
  • Discuss current events at a basic level
  • Understand main ideas in clear speech
  • Write personal letters

B2 (500-600 hours) — "Fluent"

  • Participate in discussions with native speakers
  • Watch French films without subtitles (mostly)
  • Read newspapers and contemporary novels
  • Express opinions on various topics

C1 (700-800 hours) — "Advanced"

  • Use French for professional purposes
  • Understand implicit meanings and humor
  • Express yourself spontaneously and fluently
  • Write clear, detailed text on complex subjects

The Fastest Path to French

1. Start with Pronunciation

Don't ignore pronunciation early on. French has sounds that don't exist in English—learn them from day one.

Resources:

  • Forvo (native pronunciations)
  • Français Authentique (YouTube)
  • Mimic Method French

2. Use Cognates Strategically

Your English vocabulary is a superpower. Many -tion words, -ment words, and -ble words are nearly identical:

  • Nation → Nation
  • Government → Gouvernement
  • Possible → Possible

3. Immerse Early

French content is everywhere:

  • Netflix: Call My Agent, Lupin, The Bureau
  • Music: Stromae, Angèle, Edith Piaf
  • Podcasts: InnerFrench, Coffee Break French
  • YouTube: Cyprien, Norman fait des vidéos

4. Speak from Week One

French pronunciation improves dramatically with practice. Use:

  • iTalki tutors
  • HelloTalk language exchange
  • Conversation meetups

5. Visit a French-Speaking Country

Not essential, but accelerates learning massively:

  • France (obviously)
  • Quebec, Canada
  • Belgium, Switzerland
  • African francophone countries

Common Mistakes

  1. Obsessing over grammar before speaking: Grammar is important, but output matters more
  2. Ignoring pronunciation: A thick accent makes communication harder
  3. Only learning "textbook" French: Real French includes slang, contractions, and dropped sounds
  4. Waiting to be "ready": Start speaking now, even badly

Your French Learning Roadmap

Month 1-2: Foundation

  • Learn pronunciation rules
  • Master basic greetings and survival phrases
  • Start with Duolingo or Babbel to build routine

Month 3-6: Structure

  • Work through a textbook (Assimil, Français Authentique)
  • Build vocabulary with Anki
  • Start listening to beginner podcasts

Month 7-12: Immersion

  • Switch to native content with French subtitles
  • Weekly conversation practice with tutors
  • Read first French book (Le Petit Prince, Harry Potter)

Year 2+: Fluency

  • Consume content without subtitles
  • Regular conversation practice
  • Visit France or a French-speaking country

Track Your Journey

French is achievable—but it requires consistent hours. Tracking your study time helps you:

  • Know exactly where you are (300 hours = solid A2)
  • Stay motivated through plateaus
  • See your progress when it feels invisible

Track your French learning journey with Jacta. Log your study hours, maintain your streak, and watch yourself progress toward fluency.