How long to reach conversational Spanish with daily study
The Real Story: Is Spanish Hard to Learn?: How long to reach conversational Spanish with daily study
To reach conversational Spanish with daily study, the general consensus is that it takes about 600 to 750 hours of focused study for English speakers to achieve conversational fluency. This often translates to:
- About 6 to 12 months of consistent daily study if dedicating around 1 to 2 hours per day.
- Around 1.5 to 2 years if studying about 30 minutes daily.
- Intensive immersive study (e.g., several hours daily with active practice) can reduce this to around 6 months.
Conversational fluency generally corresponds to the B2 level on the CEFR scale (around 540-620 hours), where one can handle everyday conversations comfortably but not necessarily speak perfectly. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Factors Affecting Time to Conversational Level
- Study intensity and daily duration
- Active speaking practice versus passive learning
- Immersion and interaction with native speakers
- Prior experience with languages
- Consistency and quality of study methods
Common Time Estimates by Daily Study Commitment
| Daily Study Time | Approximate Time to Conversational Level (600-750 hrs) |
|---|---|
| 2 hours | About 6 months |
| 1 hour | 1 to 1.5 years |
| 30 minutes | Around 2 years |
Tips to Reach Conversational Faster
- Focus on speaking and active usage over just passive listening/reading.
- Use immersive methods like conversing with native speakers.
- Consistent daily practice is more effective than sporadic long sessions.
- Blend vocabulary, grammar, listening, and speaking exercises.
In summary, with daily study of around 1 hour or more, conversational Spanish can typically be achieved in 6 months to a year, with shorter durations possible under intensive immersion and study conditions.