How Long Does It Take to Learn a Language? Realistic Timelines
Using the FSI's difficulty categories to set realistic expectations — and how to beat them.
By the Speak From Scratch team · Updated · 6 min read
The honest answer is "it depends" — on the language, how similar it is to one you already speak, how much you practice, and what "learned" means to you. A useful starting point is the US Foreign Service Institute (FSI), which groups languages by how long they typically take native English speakers to reach professional working proficiency in an intensive, full-time course.
FSI difficulty categories (approximate)
- Category I (about 24–30 weeks / 600–750 class hours): Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, Dutch, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish
- Category II (about 36 weeks / 900 class hours): German
- Category III (about 44 weeks / 1,100 class hours): Polish, Russian, Turkish, Hindi and many others
- Category IV (about 88 weeks / 2,200 class hours): Arabic, Mandarin, Japanese, Korean
Conversational vs. fluent
Most learners don't need professional proficiency — they want to order food, make friends, or get through daily life abroad. Basic conversational ability in a Category I language is realistic within a few months of consistent daily practice, especially if a large share of that practice is speaking rather than passive study.
What speeds it up
- Daily practice, even short sessions
- Speaking early instead of waiting until you feel "ready"
- Learning phrases in context (scenarios) rather than isolated word lists
- Getting corrections on your own sentences
- Lots of listening to natural speech
What slows it down
- Only studying passively (reading, tapping, watching) without producing language
- Long gaps between sessions
- Perfectionism — refusing to speak until you can do it without mistakes
Frequently asked questions
What is the easiest language for English speakers to learn?
Languages in FSI Category I — such as Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, Dutch, Swedish, Norwegian and Danish — are generally the quickest for native English speakers.
How long does it take to learn Japanese?
Japanese is in FSI's hardest category, estimated at around 2,200 class hours for professional proficiency. Basic everyday conversation comes much sooner with consistent practice.