How Long Does it Take to Speak Spanish Fluently?
A common question for people starting out learning Spanish is: How fast can I become fluent in Spanish? There’s no single answer to this as it depends on a number of factors such as your initial level, your language objectives and the method of study. In this guide we’ll break down the key things to know about the time needed to improve your Spanish.
Contents
What does being “fluent” in Spanish mean?
So how long does it take to learn Spanish?
Key factors affecting how quickly you can master the Spanish language
Example study timelines
Tips for improve your Spanish faster
FAQs
What does being “fluent” in Spanish mean?
Fluency in a language can be rather subjective as people have different goals and requirements. The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) defines six levels of language proficiency, ranging from complete beginner (A1) to a master of proficiency (C2). However, in practice most people are aiming for conversational fluency - that is, being able to easily interact with other Spanish speakers in a variety of real-life situations. By the time you reach the B2 level you should be in this position. If you want to use Spanish in a professional context you will likely need to reach level C1/C2.
How many hours are needed to learn Spanish?
The truth is that there is no simple and easy answer to this as everyone is different. As a starting reference point, the CEFR provides some estimates for the average time to learn Spanish for English speakers. However, we recommend you don’t get too fixated on the numbers in the table below - your own language journey will be unique to you and the circumstance you are in.
Level | Description | Time Required (Hours) |
A1 (Beginner) | Basic phrases and everyday expressions. | 70–100 hours |
A2 (Elementary) | Simple conversations about familiar topics. | 150–200 hours |
B1 (Intermediate) | Conversations about everyday life and personal interests. | 300–400 hours |
B2 (Upper Intermediate) | Can work or study in Spanish with limited support. | 500–600 hours |
C1 (Advanced) | Express ideas fluently and spontaneously. | 700–900 hours |
C2 (Proficient) | Near-native fluency and comprehension. | 1,000+ hours |
The US Foreign Service Institute offers another benchmark, based on over 75 years of teaching languages to diplomats. It estimates that the average student will take around 750 class hours to reach “general professional proficiency” in Spanish.
Key factors that affect how quickly you can master the Spanish language
As we’ve said, everyone is different and will learn the language at different speeds. However, there are some important factors that will influence how quickly you advance your Spanish.
Your starting point: If you are a complete beginner it will take a bit of time to build a solid base for understanding and using Spanish - after that your learning will likely accelerate. Those people with some previous exposure to the language, especially as a young child, may be able to pick up the basics more quickly. Also, if you already speak more than one language, particularly if that includes a romance language (e.g. French or Italian), this might help you learn Spanish more quickly.
Your goals: Setting out clear objectives can help keep you motivated, which will support effective language learning. If you’re just seeking to be able to communicate at a basic level, then 1-3 months of learning will likely be enough to reach your goal. Achieving conversational fluency is a longer journey that will require more dedication and patience, but with consistent practice it’s possible in 6-12 months. For professional level Spanish you will probably need to complete at least 1-2 years of study and practice. Being realistic about your language goals will help you set out a study program that works for you.
Your study method: It’s fairly obvious, but the more hours per day you put into learning Spanish, the faster you will likely reach your desired level. Taking an intensive Spanish language course, with daily lessons and around 20-30 study hours per week, should lead to faster progress than part-time study. Even outside of lessons, daily practice will accelerate your learning. That’s why immersion programs in Spanish-speaking countries are the best way to conquer the Spanish language as you will be forced to use it on a daily basis in different real-life situations.
Your exposure to the language: As above, if you are in Spain or another Spanish-speaking country then you will be exposed to the language 24/7 in all kinds of everyday situations. Aside from Spanish lessons, you will have constant access to Spanish television and radio and be able to interact with locals whenever you wish. This will help you reach proficiency far more quickly than if you are taking a few lessons a week in your home country.
Example study timelines
Below are some possible timelines for learning Spanish for a beginner, based on different approaches to study. Remember, these are just broad guidelines: the most important point is that immersive and intensive language learning is the best and fastest way to become fluent in Spanish.
Time required to learn Spanish for beginners
Language goal | Intensive Spanish course (20+ hours p/week) in Spain or Latin America | Part-time study (2-3 times p/week) in a non-Spanish speaking country | Self-learning (e.g. language apps, textbooks) |
Basic communication (A2-B1) | 1-2 months | 2-4 months | 3-6 months |
Conversational fluency (B2-C1) | 6-9 months | 12-18 months | 1-2 years |
Mastery (C2) | 1-2 years | 3+ years | 5+ years |
Tips to improve your Spanish Faster
Immerse yourself in the language
We’ve talked about the benefits of language immersion, but to really take advantage of this requires some effort. If you’re studying in Spain or another Spanish-speaking country, then make sure you interact with native speakers and try to learn about local culture and traditions. This will dramatically improve your range of vocabulary, listening skills and help you perfect your pronunciation.
Focus on speaking
The best way to learn Spanish quickly is to use it as much as possible. Don’t worry too much about making mistakes - no one will expect you to speak perfectly (many locals don’t either!). It’s more important to be able to communicate, to understand others and be able to make yourself understood. To get you going, it can be a good idea to join language exchange groups or take part in Spanish-speaking activities offered by many language schools like Expanish.
Practice daily
Even just 15-30 minutes of practice a day can make a big difference to your grammar and vocabulary. If you don’t have any lessons in a day, try completing a task or game in Spanish, watching a Spanish tv program (with or without subtitles, depending on your level) or listening to Spanish radio/podcasts. It doesn’t matter if you don’t understand everything at first - just hearing the sounds and words will help you improve your own listening and speaking skills. You’ll be amazed at how quickly you start to pick it up if you expose yourself regularly to the language!
Take an intensive course
Self-study is very important, but there’s no substitute for structured learning, especially for beginners and intermediate speakers. Schools like Expanish offer a range of intensive Spanish language courses that are tailored to individual needs/goals and include immersive learning techniques to really accelerate progress. Given the importance of immersion, we recommend in person courses in Spanish-speaking countries ahead of online courses.
