Is French Hard to Learn? How long does it take to reach B2 level?

Many language learners choose French for its popularity and similarity to other languages that use the Latin alphabet. So is French hard to learn? And how can you effectively learn the language on your own? Find out the answers through this article by Thao & Co.

Answer: Is French hard to learn?

The Foreign Service Institute (FSI) divides languages into four categories, numbered from 1 to 4. The higher the category number, the more difficult a language is.

French is in category 1, which means it is one of the easiest foreign languages for native English speakers. Other category 1 languages include Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese. Explore the challenges of French and check out our study plan for French learners below.

For comparison, category 1 languages will require 600 learning hours, while the ones in category 4, such as Korean or Japanese, will require 2200 hours.

Nonetheless, whether a language is hard to learn depends on both subjective and objective factors. These include:

1. • Your study plan
2. • Your mother tongue
3. • Your study strategies
4. • Your learning capacity
5. • And other factors

Is French grammar hard to learn?

French grammar is not the most difficult among all languages. However, compared to English, French is much more complex:

1. + Verb: French verbs are conjugated based on tense, person, and mood. These linguistic features are reflected in the specific endings added to the verb. Like English, some verbs are irregular.
3. + Noun: In French, there are masculine and feminine nouns. The concept of subject-verb agreement is further expanded in French. You will need to check if the gender and plurality of nouns and verbs agree. In addition, there are many forms of pronoun and article, which will take quite a while to master.
5. + Tense: Passé composé, imparfait and plus-que-parfait are only three of the many tenses used to refer to the past in French. The variety of tenses enables French speakers to communicate with exactitude. However, this also present certain difficulties for beginners.

If you already speak English fluently, you may notice some similarities between French and English:

1. • Both languages use Latin characters
2. • Many words have similar meaning and spelling (but be wary of “faux amis” – French words that look like counterparts to English but carry a totally different meaning!)
3. • Both languages are quite similar in terms of grammatical structure (subject – verb – object).

These similarities may work to your advantage. With enough time and effort and good study strategies, it’s possible to grasp the intricate concepts of French grammar.

Should I learn French on my own?

You might have thought of learning French by yourself to save time and money.

Be careful: it will take great discipline and a lot of patience. Without a proper study plan, you may be discouraged and eventually quit.

For basic communication (i.e., elementary- or beginner-level reading or listening), these resources will be helpful:

1. • Free learning apps
2. • Self-learning textbooks
3. • Social media pages
4. • French-learning websites

For more advanced needs, such as being a French interpreter or using French for business purposes, you will need to earn professional certification. A trained instructor will help you achieve your professional goals more effectively.

French study plan for beginners

It is possible to learn French on your own, but you will need to set clear goals and create a detailed study plan.

Take a look at our recommended study plan for beginners below:

Initial phase (first month)

1. • Get used to the French alphabet and its pronunciation. Focus on the sounds that do not exist in English.
2. • Learn words and sentences by topics: greetings, self-introduction, numbers, dates, colors, etc.
3. • Learn pronouns and the most common verbs.
4. • Additionally, use vocabulary learning apps such as Duolingo, Memrise, or Mondly to help you get started.

In the next 1 – 3 months

1. • Practice using basic grammar structures and features, such as the present tense, affirmatives, negatives, and interrogatives.
2. • Learn by heart the gender of common nouns, as well as definite and indefinite articles.
3. • Focus on vocabulary in everyday topics
4. • Practice basic listening by watching animated films in French or listening to podcasts for beginners.
5. • Practice writing short sentences and simple paragraphs.

In the next 3 – 6 months

1. • Shift your focus to more advanced tenses, such as:
   1. + Passé composé
   2. + Futur proche
   3. + Imparfait
2. • Further enrich vocabulary and practice using conjunctions and structures such as comparatives or relative clauses.
3. • Practice listening and speaking by topic to further perfect your pronunciation.
4. • Read short passages and news in simple French.
5. • Try writing diary, descriptive paragraphs, and simple emails.

Advanced phase

1. • Review all grammar concepts for mastery; get comfortable with the more advanced tenses and structures.
2. • Try to understand short stories, news, and podcasts produced for native speakers.
3. • Take A1 – A2 level tests to assess yourself. Then, move to more advanced levels when you are ready.

Frequently asked questions

These questions may pop up in your mind when learning French:

Is it hard to learn French until B2 level?

At B2 level, you are comfortable and confident with using various complex structures in debates and discussions. Compared to A1 or A2 level, it takes much more effort to reach B2 level.

But you can facilitate your journey to mastery with a good study plan that covers all four main skills.

How long does it take to reach B2 level in French?

The answer may vary depending how much French you already know, how effective your study strategies are, and how much time you set aside daily for French. Besides dedicating 1 to 2 hours each day to practice the language,

the time to reach fluency at B2 level will depend on your current level as well. Here are the time estimates:

1. • Fresh beginners (A0 Level): 12 – 18 months of disciplined learning
2. • A2 learners: 6 – 9 months
3. • B1 learners: 3 – 6 months

Where to learn French?

Depending on your needs and budget, you may want to consider:

1. 👉 Reputable institutions: IF (Institut Français), language centers or faculty at universities, etc.
3. 👉 Paid online courses: Frantastique, TV5Monde Apprendre, Alliance Française Online, etc.
5. 👉 Free or subsidized online courses: Duolingo, Lingodeer, Coursera, EdX, etc.
7. 👉 Apps to practice speaking skills: HelloTalk, Tandem, Language Exchange, etc.
9. 👉 Local French speaking clubs.
11. 👉 Private tutors for one-on-one classes. This is recommended for those who would like intensive training for the DELF examination.

Key takeaways

We at Thao & Co. hope that our article has helped you answer the question “Is it hard to learn French?” It takes great patience and a lot of planning to master French, but the reward is worth it.

If you have the need to use French in professional or administrative contexts, it may be better to consider a translation agency that offers professional French translation services. At Thao & Co., we remove language barriers with precise and natural translation so you can focus on what matters. We specialize in:

1. • Legal translation
2. • Medical translation
3. • Travel and tourism translation
4. • Commerce translation
5. • And other services

Connect with our consultants via the ChatBox® or the Get a Quote form to receive a detailed quotation.