How Long Does It Take to Learn French?
Learning French as an English speaker requires dedication and consistent practice. Our estimates are based on data from authoritative sources including the U.S. Foreign Service Institute (FSI), CEFR framework, and ACTFL guidelines.
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French vs Other Languages
See how French compares to other popular languages for English speakers. The chart shows estimated hours to reach basic conversational level.
French is classified as one of the easier languages for English speakers to learn, sharing similar grammar structures and vocabulary roots.
How We Calculate Language Learning Time
Our estimates combine data from multiple authoritative sources:
- CEFR Framework: European standards from institutions like the Goethe-Institut (German) and Alliance française (French)
- ACTFL Guidelines: American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages proficiency standards
- FSI Data: U.S. Foreign Service Institute's extensive research on language learning difficulty for English speakers
These estimates represent classroom hours and may vary significantly based on your learning method, motivation, and language background.