Learning German to a solid conversational level (B1) takes most adults about 350–650 lessons, or roughly a year at an hour a day. The Goethe-Institut estimates total instruction time from zero at about 60–150 hours for A1, 150–260 hours for A2, 260–490 hours for B1 and 450–600 hours for B2.
These are classroom hours. Self-study and practice outside class count too – which is why people who read and listen to German every day often move faster than the estimates suggest.
Realistic calendars
- 30 minutes a day: A1 in 4–6 months, A2 in about a year, B1 in about two years.
- 1 hour a day: A1 in 2–4 months, A2 in about 6 months, B1 in about 12 months.
- Intensive course (about 20 lessons a week): one level every 1–2 months up to B1.
- Living in Germany and using German daily speeds everything up – if you actually use it.
What speeds you up
- Knowing English, Dutch or a Scandinavian language – many words are related.
- Daily contact instead of weekend sessions.
- Lots of comprehensible input: graded stories, slow podcasts, subtitled series.
- Spaced-repetition vocabulary review, so words do not need to be relearned.
What slows you down
- Ignoring articles (der, die, das) at the start – fixing it later costs more time.
- Studying only grammar without reading or listening.
- Texts that are far too hard, which turn reading into dictionary work.
- Long breaks: a month off can undo several weeks of progress.
Add daily input with Lesen Lab
- 1
One story a day
Short stories fit into breaks and commutes.
- 2
Listen in slow mode
Train your ear at the same time.
- 3
Review words
Spaced repetition keeps new words from fading.
Free to download on iPhone & iPad
Official sources
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to learn German to B1?
About 260–490 hours of instruction according to the Goethe-Institut – roughly one year at one hour a day.
Can I learn German in 3 months?
You can reach a solid A1 or begin A2 in three months with daily study. Fluency takes much longer.
Is German hard for English speakers?
It is moderately hard. The US Foreign Service Institute places it in its second difficulty category, mainly because of cases, genders and word order.
How long does it take to learn German to B2?
About 450–600 hours of instruction in total from zero, or roughly 18–24 months of steady part-time study.
What is the fastest way to add German practice to my day?
Read and listen to short graded stories daily, for example in Lesen Lab: Learn German A1–B2: https://apps.apple.com/app/id6752349330