Learning English is a rewarding experience that opens up many possibilities. Between job opportunities, travel experiences, and the chance to live in an English-speaking country, this language journey is well worth the study time it takes!
Depending on why you’re studying it, learning English can take as little as one month. Find out how long it takes the average person to learn English, factors that make the learning process go more quickly, and the ways English fluency can positively impact your life.
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How quickly can you learn English?
So, how long does it take to learn English? It depends on how much English you already know and why you’re trying to learn English in the first place. Take a look at some general timelines for learning English for different purposes and how long it takes to reach language fluency in English.
How long it take to learn English for travel: 1 to 3 months
Traveling to a country that speaks a different language always requires some preparation, no matter what the language is. To travel with enough English to feel confident, you should study for up to three months, especially in the following language areas:
- Basic greetings
- Common English words
- Conversational English idioms and expressions
- Questions related to travel, including restaurants, hotels, and shopping
- Ways to describe yourself and others
Understanding these elements of English would put you at the beginner level of language learning. While you may not be able to engage in longer conversations or read complex texts, you can safely navigate an English-speaking region or community.
How long it takes to learn English for work: 6 months to 3 years
Learners who use English for work can plan on reaching an intermediate level of proficiency in as little as half a year, but it could take up to three years. This time range reflects the expectations of various occupations, as some jobs would require more English proficiency than others.
If you’re preparing to learn English for work, focus your study on:
- Job-specific vocabulary and phrases in English
- Intermediate English grammar (including parts of speech in English)
- Speaking clearly and asking questions to help with understanding
- More complex conversational phrases and descriptions
- Reading and writing multi-sentence documents in English
Learning English can be a great professional step because English is the most widely spoken language for business. Employers may prefer hiring employees with an intermediate understanding of English, and they may offer more promotions and career advancement opportunities to those whose English continues to improve.
How long it takes to learn enough to live in an English-speaking country: 3 to 7 years
A study from Stanford University concluded that the majority of English learners require three to seven years to become proficient in English. It cites that learners need three to five years to reach oral proficiency in English and five to seven years to reach academic proficiency. During this time, English learners would master:
- An extensive English vocabulary to converse in any context
- Conversational patterns that allow the speaker to respond to any question asked
- Reading and writing complex tests in English
- Advanced grammar, syntax, and English verb conjugation
- Teaching or mentoring others around you in English
Most English-speaking countries are home to people who speak more than one language, meaning that you don’t need to be completely fluent in English to live there. However, if you want to attend school, join in community events, and understand conversations with neighbors and friends, having a developed understanding of English is a good goal.
How long does it take the average person to learn English?
As you can see from the list above, defining how long it takes to learn English is more complicated than it seems. The time it takes to learn any new language is based on various levels of English proficiency.
The Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) levels were originally developed to indicate English fluency. It lists six levels of proficiency before a language learner reaches fluency, divided into three broad categories.
| CEFR Level | Hours of Study |
| A1 (Basic User) | 200 |
| A2 (Basic User) | 400 |
| B1 (Independent User) | 600 |
| B2 (Independent User) | 800 |
| C1 (Proficient User) | 1000 |
| C2 (Proficient User) | 1200 |
It takes around 200 guided hours to progress in a new language, including English. Depending on how many dedicated hours of study you have per week, it could take the average person between six months (about 10 study hours per week) and two years (about two hours of study per week) to move between each level of proficiency.
Beginner level English: 200-400 hours (4 to 6 months)
It takes around 400 hours of English study to reach CEFL level A2, also known as a Basic User. These English learners understand short, simple questions, recognize familiar words and signs, speak in short phrases, and provide basic information about themselves. This process generally takes just a few months of dedicated study.
Intermediate level English: 600-800 hours (6 months to 2 years)
Independent Users take between 600-800 hours to reach an intermediate level of English. They can understand longer conversations with more detail, identify main points in a straightforward text or message, write texts about subjects they understand, and speak about both abstract and concrete ideas.
Advanced level English: 1000-1200 hours (3 to 7 years)
Becoming a Proficient User requires over 1000 hours of study, which may take learners between three to seven years, depending on how much guided English study time they have. These users are fluent enough in English to read and write very complex texts, have conversations that are error-free, speak with confidence and flexibility, and be able to teach others in English.
How can you learn English faster?
The time frame to learn English tends to be on the longer side for a variety of reasons. Some learners find it difficult to dedicate enough study time to their learning process, while others get stuck on the complex nature of the English language.
So how can you learn English even faster than projected? These language learning factors can enable you to become fluent in English even sooner than expected.
Master the basics of English
Many non-English speakers consider English hard to learn. With its irregular verb conjugations, unpredictable word pronunciations, and grammar that depends on word order, it’s easy to see why! But starting with the basics of English is a vital step in learning this language, and it will make more advanced lessons easier to understand later on.
Know a language similar to English
Do you speak a Romance language, such as Spanish, French, or Italian? These languages are ranked in Category I of the Foreign Service Institute’s language difficulty rankings because they’re among the easiest for English speakers to learn. It often works both ways, as English and Romance languages share many loanwords and grammar rules, making it easier for speakers of one to learn the other more quickly.
And because English is a Germanic language, speakers of German, Dutch, Danish, and other Germanic languages may also find it easier to pick up English!
Learn additional languages
If you’ve ever learned a language other than your native language, you already know how important memorization, daily study, and constant conversation can be in a language learning journey. Students who have already learned one extra language may find English comes easily to them because they have the skills needed to ensure their study success.
Have goals and motivation
Why do you want to learn English? Whether you’re learning English to work and live in a new place, speak more confidently to members of your community, or travel to an English-speaking country, it’s important to set goals and remember your motivation as you study your new language. The sooner you master English, the sooner your new adventure can begin!
Immerse yourself in an English-speaking environment
Immersion learning is one of the most effective ways to learn how to speak English. Living in a place where most people speak English is a fast way to understand its conversational rules and patterns, as are learning options like Rosetta Stone’s Dynamic Immersion method. Soon, you’ll process English as a native speaker does, and speaking it will feel more comfortable and natural.
Find the right English-learning program
The most important step in discovering how to learn English is finding the method that works for you. Becoming proficient in English does require guided study, especially if you want to learn English more quickly, and using Rosetta Stone to learn English is a great start.
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