How Long Does It Take to Learn German? 4 Factors to Speed Up the Process | FluentU German Blog (2023)

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How Long Does It Take to Learn German? 4 Factors to Speed Up the Process | FluentU German Blog? ›

German is rated as a category 2 language and considered to be similar to English. The FSI estimates that German takes approximately 30 weeks, or 750 classroom hours to learn. This study was conducted on a group of language students who spent 25 hours per week in class, and three hours daily on individual practice.

German is rated as a category 2 language and considered to be similar to English. The FSI estimates that German takes approximately 30 weeks, or 750 classroom hours to learn. This study was conducted on a group of language students who spent 25 hours per week in class, and three hours daily on individual practice.

In short, yes of course it is. I don't usually subscribe to the exact levels people talk about when they tell you how many hours to study in a specific language (because what is “study” right there?), but reaching C1 level in 4 years doesn't seem overly cumbersome at all.

As others have said, with excellent motivation, excellent teachers, and 100% immersion, you might reach B1 in four months. That is something like: high intermediate vocabulary, good command of basic grammar, and ability to ask questions about the language, and understand the answers, in German.

Even though most of them learn relatively fast and achieve B1/B2 level in about 12 months, just a few of them get to B2 level in 4-8 months.

How Long Does it Take to Get Fluent in German? If you take intensive classes (around 20 hours per week), you can reach the B1 level of day-to-day fluency. Fluency takes more than 3 months, but you can still learn in less time if you adjust your strategy.

According to the U.S. Foreign Service Institute (FSI), you'll need about 750 hours of study to become fluent in German. This means that if you study 12-15 hours a week, you'll be able to speak like a pro in just a year!

For German, requiring 750 hours, you're looking at just over four years. For Russian – at 1100 hours – it's six years to fluency. Remember, that's to get to the heights of C1. Most people are happy with a good B2 level and you'd be feeling real progress and enjoying using your language at a lower level much sooner.

How hard is B2 level German? The German language is complex yet highly systematic. For a systematic language, you need a systematic course structure though. If the course material you are using has a thought-out structure, then it shouldn't be difficult.

The B1 level is the most difficult because of the lot of grammar and vocabulary knowledge that you need to grasp. No matter, how difficult or lengthy it looks, learn things slowly and reinforce all you have done as you may go through.

How can I learn German fast on my own? ›

Intermediate B1 to B2 – German level B1 takes 200 hours and B2 takes approximately 300 hours to become fluent.

If you´d like to work in Germany you´ll get by if your German is on level B1/B2 (online test). The certificate issued by GLS is recognized by many employers and even some universities in Germany.

The B levels in the German language is when you really start to use the language independently, requiring little to no help in keeping the conversation going. The Foreign Service Institute (FSI) suggests that you need about 750 hours to get to the B2 level.

Level B2: Basic Fluency

Reaching B2 is generally considered by most people as having basic fluency. You'll have a working vocabulary of around 4000 words.

Anyone who has a fairly high level of language skill goal, such as B2 or C1 as a level, should schedule at least nine to 12 months of daily intensive German courses or a visit to the nearest Studienkolleg (when in Germany) when starting with zero knowledge.

The Goethe-Zertifikat B2 is a German exam for young people and adults. It certifies that candidates have acquired advanced language skills and corresponds to the fourth level (B2) of the six-level scale of competence laid down in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

So for the average learner which you very likely are, getting to B2 takes at least 9 months of intensive (!) daily study. And that's what you should consider as the most realistic amount of time to learn German fast.

The C2 level exam: Think “very hard” & multiply that by a thousand. The Common European Framework of References for Languages level C2 is one of the hardest possible examinations you can do in any language.

What level of German is required to study in Germany? ›

Depending on the German federal state, level B1 or B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) is required.

Across multiple sources, Mandarin Chinese is the number one language listed as the most challenging to learn. The Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center puts Mandarin in Category IV, which is the list of the most difficult languages to learn for English speakers.

Based on what I've seen, I believe that learning German to a high level like that generally requires ca. 600 hours if you're a native English speaker. (The FSI estimates 750 hours for an upper C1 level , so I think 600 hours for B2/C1 is reasonable.) Because of this, I would aim for 2 hours of study per day.

They say that you need to have completed at least 350 45-minute German lessons/practice sessions to reach B1, which would take roughly a year and a half since most people can't take a lesson every single day in a row.

The Level C1 in German requires a very high language level and is therefore correspondingly difficult. For many students, the C1 level in German is a great challenge. However, there are also many resources to prepare for the exam. With the right motivation and the will to pass the exam, anyone can pass the C1 level!

Going Toe-to-toe with the Goethe Zertifikat

If the TestDaF is the academic German level test, then the Goethe Zertifikat is the all-around one. It's by far the most famous test of the German language and is accepted by everybody who needs any kind of proof of German ability.

Are you wondering which exam to take? What the differences are? To make it short: there are no significant differences, as both – Goethe and telc – are recognized testing bodies. Just take the exam that suits you better in terms of testing dates and/or price (telc exams tend to be cheaper than the Goethe ones).

German A2 exam pattern is quite simple. As it's a language, there are 4 modules- Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking. It is a 60 points exam and you have to score a minimum 36 points (60%) to pass the exam.

After having worked with many students from India and other countries, I can safely tell you that the B1 level will not cut it in the long run. Your aim should be B2.

The speaking and listening exercises do not come up as often and are often not very accurate. Yes!!!! Yes you can easily complete level B1 to C1 in one year. One year duration is more than enough, if you have your full attention and effort towards German language.

Is B1 German enough to study in Germany? ›

Courses that require the German language

If you're opting for a German language course, then learning the B1 level is necessary to be eligible for the course. Along with this, you'll have to clear German language exams like DSH, DAF, and C1 level exams to prove your proficiency.

German is very closely related to English. They're in the same language family called West Germanic. The two languages share common words, sentence structures, and an extremely similar alphabet. So, since you already know English, learning German by yourself won't be hard at all.

Start with simple books, such as books for kids, to memorize basic vocabulary. Read aloud to improve pronunciation. Make a German-speaking friend. Learning how to speak German will be much quicker if you have someone to practice with.

Yes, it is possible, that is if you have dedicated many hours of German language learning without distractions. Language experts mention that learning German beginner level (or German A1 level) takes at least 75 hours to fully grasp.

Goethe-Zertifikat C1 is an examination for adults. It certifies that candidates have acquired advanced language skills and corresponds to the fifth level (C1) on the six-level scale of competence laid down in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

A2 level German corresponds to the second level of German language learning based on the six-level scale of proficiency laid down in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). It requires elementary language skills.

Most students need about 6-12 months to reach this level. However, it is also possible to reach A2 level in a shorter or even longer time.

In short, finding a job in Germany without speaking German will require you to think strategically about what types of companies to apply to and diversify the ways you learn about and apply to jobs. This path will take a bit more time and effort, but good jobs are out there and they are indeed attainable. Viel Erfolg!

With a A1 German you can start to start at a German university (English-speaking studies). Also you can become an Au pair in Germany or start an FSJ or BFD. If you are an EU citizen with German A1 you can directly work in several jobs. As a student you may work for up to 90 days a year in Germany.

Can I learn German A2 in 3 months? ›

It's simply just not possible. If you learn in three months, you'll have to juggle memorizing vocabulary, using them in a sentence, and actually speaking to a native German to practice your language skills. Managing your time is crucial when you only have 3-4 hours a day, maybe even less.

These levels are classified as A1 for beginners, A2 for elementary, B1 for intermediate, B2 for upper intermediate, C1 as advanced, and C2 as mastery. Expath, like many other language schools, splits these levels in half to accommodate students' time and budget planning (e.g. level A1 is split into A1.

A2 German Level – Intermediate Level

A2 German level refers to above beginner, intermediate level German knowledge. You can easily make simple sentences and simple daily conversations at A2 German level.

Level B2 corresponds to independent users of the language, i.e. those who have the necessary fluency to communicate without effort with native speakers.

If B2 is what many consider “fluent,” then C1 is fluency with increased nuance and understanding. At C1, you can understand subtle jokes in the language, and express yourself with colorful native phrases. When you reach C1, you should have a working vocabulary of about 8000 words – almost double that of B2!

Learning a new language can be accomplished in a relatively short time if you are taking individual classes. With three 60-minute courses per week, you might be able to learn German in one to two years. This approach is excellent for people with hectic schedules, even if it is more expensive.

With plenty of straightforward rules, German is not actually as hard to learn as most people think. And since English and German stem from the same language family, you might actually be surprised at the things you pick up without even trying! And on top of it all, it's definitely a useful one, too.

So for the average learner which you very likely are, getting to B2 takes at least 9 months of intensive (!) daily study. And that's what you should consider as the most realistic amount of time to learn German fast.

The German language has 6 CEFR levels – starting with A1 (absolute beginner), and ending with C2 (completely fluent).

Is B2 German enough to work? ›

Your aim should be B2. For finance and accounting positions, having a good knowledge of German is often preferred, but when working in Germany, English can also be used as the working language in some cases. The same applies as for IT though.

How hard is B2 level German? The German language is complex yet highly systematic. For a systematic language, you need a systematic course structure though. If the course material you are using has a thought-out structure, then it shouldn't be difficult.

Some parts of German grammar are particularly tricky for English speakers to get to grips with, but German grammar is actually arguably easier to learn than English grammar because it follows set rules that are laid down by the three regional authorities, in Germany, Austria and Switzerland (with small differences ...

You are not too old to learn German!

Learning a language requires perseverance and motivation. Even though you may be too old to learn a second language, it is never too late to learn a new one! The benefits of learning a new language are numerous, and you can make the most of them by using online tools.

In order to feel comfortable speaking German, you really only need to learn about 3,000 words. In contrast, being fluent in German is defined as understanding 10,000+ words.