Ever wondered how long it really takes to learn a language? Whether you're starting Spanish, tackling Japanese, or anywhere in between, understanding the time investment helps you set realistic goals and stay motivated.
The Short Answer
According to the Foreign Service Institute (FSI), learning a language takes anywhere from 600 to 2,200+ hours depending on the language and your target proficiency level.
But here's the thing: those numbers are for intensive study. For most of us learning in our spare time, the journey looks quite different.
CEFR Levels Explained
The Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) breaks language proficiency into six levels:
| Level | Name | Description | Approx. Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| A1 | Beginner | Basic phrases, introductions | 80-100 |
| A2 | Elementary | Simple conversations, daily topics | 180-200 |
| B1 | Intermediate | Independent travel, work discussions | 350-400 |
| B2 | Upper Intermediate | Complex topics, professional use | 500-600 |
| C1 | Advanced | Fluent, nuanced expression | 700-800 |
| C2 | Mastery | Near-native proficiency | 1,000+ |
Language Difficulty Categories
Not all languages are created equal—at least not for English speakers. The FSI groups languages by difficulty:
Category I: Easiest (600-750 hours)
- Spanish
- French
- Italian
- Portuguese
- Dutch
Category II: Medium (900 hours)
- German
- Indonesian
- Swahili
Category III: Hard (1,100 hours)
- Russian
- Hindi
- Thai
- Vietnamese
Category IV: Hardest (2,200+ hours)
- Japanese
- Mandarin Chinese
- Korean
- Arabic
The Real Secret: Consistency Over Intensity
Here's what the research doesn't always tell you: consistent daily practice beats sporadic intensive study.
A learner who studies 30 minutes every day for a year (182 hours) will likely outperform someone who does a 200-hour intensive course—because:
- Spaced repetition cements long-term memory
- Daily habits build neural pathways gradually
- Less burnout means you actually stick with it
How to Track Your Progress
This is exactly why we built Jacta. Knowing you've logged 347 hours toward your B2 goal is incredibly motivating. You can see your daily streaks, weekly totals, and exactly where you stand on the CEFR roadmap.
Your Action Plan
- Pick your target level (B2 is conversational fluency for most people)
- Calculate your hours based on language difficulty
- Set a daily goal (even 15-30 minutes counts!)
- Track everything so you can see your progress
- Celebrate milestones at each CEFR level
Remember: every hour counts. The journey of a thousand hours begins with a single study session.
Ready to start tracking? Download Jacta and see exactly how far you've come—and how close you are to fluency.
