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.
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.
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 practice speaking daily instead of a few times a week.
Is English easier than German for a Darija speaker?
Most learners find English's grammar simpler to start with (no grammatical gender, simpler verb conjugation) — the challenge shifts to spelling/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.