How long does it actually take to learn English?
A realistic estimate for a Darija or Arabic speaker starting from zero — and why English often moves faster than other languages, given how much of it you've already heard.
The short answer
For most learners the realistic answer, with consistent daily practice, is about 5 to 6 months to reach B1 (everyday conversation and travel) and about 9 to 12 months to reach C1 (professional fluency). These are Lerniyo’s own estimates from its curriculum: they are not a promise, and they change with your goal, how consistent you are and how much English you already hear every day.
The CEFR levels are the yardstick: A1 and A2 are the beginner levels, B1 and B2 the independent levels, and C1 the proficient level. Which level you need depends on what you want English for, so start with your goal and then read the timeline for it below.
Last updated:
5-6 months
to reach B1 — everyday conversation and travel
9-12 months
to reach C1 — near-native, professional fluency
Estimates for consistent daily practice. Your pace depends on your starting point and how much English you already hear day to day.
Level by level
What changes your timeline
You've already heard a lot of English
Music, films, social media, and gaming mean most Darija speakers start with real passive exposure other language learners don't have — vocabulary especially moves faster because of it.
Consistency beats intensity
15-20 focused minutes a day for months beats a single 3-hour session once a week — spaced repetition needs the spacing.
Speaking practice
Learners who speak from lesson one (not just read and listen) tend to reach B1 conversational comfort faster.
French or other language background
If you already speak French confidently, some grammar concepts (tenses, sentence structure) transfer faster into English than they would starting from Darija alone.
How long for your goal?
Pick the goal closest to yours. The times are cumulative from zero and match the level-by-level timeline on this page.
Travel and basic conversation (A1–A2)
About 3 to 4 months. Enough for greetings, directions, ordering, simple questions and short messages.
Everyday conversation and simple work English (B1)
About 5 to 6 months. You can talk about familiar topics, handle most situations while travelling and follow the main points of clear speech.
Study abroad or an English-taught degree (B2–C1)
About 7 to 12 months. Universities usually ask for an exam score such as IELTS or TOEFL, and each one sets its own minimum, so check the program’s requirement.
Professional fluency (C1)
About 9 to 12 months. You work, argue and write in English with ease.
What slows learners down
- Studying in bursts: three hours once a week is worth less than 15 to 20 minutes every day.
- Only listening and reading, with no speaking. Speaking out loud from the first lessons is what makes English usable.
- Ignoring pronunciation and spelling, which are the hard part of English because they do not match.
- Learning single words instead of whole phrases and collocations.
- Translating word by word from French or Arabic instead of thinking in short English sentences.
- Booking an exam such as IELTS before the level is there, instead of reaching the level first.
How to reach your level faster
A few habits make the same timeline shorter:
- 1
Choose a target level and a date
Know whether you need A2, B1, B2 or C1 and for what, then work backwards from the table above.
- 2
Study every day, even briefly
Fifteen to twenty focused minutes daily, plus review of old words, beats long irregular sessions.
- 3
Speak from the beginning
Talk out loud with Nour in every lesson. Mistakes in speaking are part of learning.
- 4
Use the English you already hear
Music, films, series and games are real input: switch to English audio, and add English subtitles once your level allows.
- 5
Re-check your level
Take the free level test after each level to confirm you are ready to move on.
Not sure where you're starting from?
Take the free level testFrequently asked questions
Can I learn English faster than these estimates?
Yes, especially if you already have exposure through media or French, or if you can practise speaking daily instead of a few times a week.
Is English easier than German for a Darija speaker?
Many learners find English’s grammar simpler to start with (no grammatical gender, simpler verb conjugation), but the challenge shifts to spelling and pronunciation and the sheer size of English vocabulary, especially past B1.
Do I need to live abroad to reach C1?
No — consistent study, speaking practice, and regular exposure to real English media can get you to C1 without living in an English-speaking country, though immersion does accelerate fluency.
How long does it take to learn English from zero?
To a first real level (A1), about 6 to 8 weeks. To B1 about 5 to 6 months, and to C1 about 9 to 12 months, with consistent daily practice. These are Lerniyo’s estimates, not promises.
How long does it take to reach B2?
About 7 to 9 months from zero, which is 10 to 12 weeks of study after B1.
Can I learn English in 3 months?
In 3 to 4 months you can realistically reach about A2: greetings, directions, ordering and short everyday conversations. B1 takes about 5 to 6 months.
How many minutes a day should I study English?
Lerniyo’s estimates assume about 15 to 20 focused minutes a day, every day. More time can shorten them, but regular practice matters more than long sessions.
How long should I prepare for IELTS or TOEFL?
It depends on your starting level and the score you need. First reach the level the score corresponds to, then practise the exam format. Check the exact requirement of your university or employer.