How long does it take to learn German?

It depends on what you mean by learn. Ordering a coffee takes weeks. Following a fast film takes much longer. This guide gives a realistic range for English speakers and shows where your time goes.

What the numbers say

The US Foreign Service Institute trains diplomats. It places German in a group harder than the closest languages for English speakers. It estimates about 900 class hours to reach professional working level. That is about 36 weeks of full-time study.

Most of us study part-time. At five hours a week, that is over three years. At ten hours, it is a little under two years.

What speeds you up

• Little and often. Try twenty minutes a day.
• Speaking early. Reading and listening do not train your mouth. Book a weekly chat with a German speaker.
• Using what you learn. Say the new word to someone within a day.
• Keeping going after the first few weeks, when progress feels slower.

What slows you down

• Only using an app and never speaking to a person.
• Waiting until you feel ready.
• Learning long word lists with no sentences.

A simple plan

Study for 15 to 20 minutes on four days. Add one hour of speaking each week. Meet a native speaker for a coffee. See how to find a language partner and how often to practise.

Ready to start? Read about German on Nearly Fluent.