How Long Does It Take to Become a Fluent English Speaker?

Anyone who is thinking about learning a new language inevitably asks the same thing: how long does it take to become fluent? However, there is no single answer to this question. Instead, it depends on a range of factors. If you want to know how to become a fluent English speaker and how long it will take, check out some of the variables that will impact your progress:

1. How Many Languages Do You Speak?

If you’ve previously learned another language, you’ll have a head start when you’re trying to become fluent in English. This is because you’re already familiar with picking up new vocabulary, mastering different sentence structures, and speaking in a non-native language. As a result, you may find it easier to learn English if you’ve already mastered a second language and you could, therefore, become fluent in English more quickly.

2. What’s Your Native Language?

English is generally considered to be a Germanic language, although there are significant French and Latin influences too. If your native language is Germanic or you speak a Germanic language fluently, you’re likely to become fluent in English faster than someone unfamiliar with these languages. Germanic languages, such as Dutch, German, Swedish, or Afrikaans, are closely linked to English linguistically. These linguistic similarities mean that you’ll be familiar with many of the words in the English language and be able to deduce their meaning instantly.

3. What’s Your Starting Point?

Language fluency is measured on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) scale. There are six levels on the scale, ranging from A1 (basic) to C2 (proficient). It is C1 on the CEFR scale that’s used to refer to ‘fluent conversation’, so this is the level you’ll want to achieve if want to know how to become fluent in English. If you’re new to learning English and starting at A1 on the CEFR scale, you’ll need to work through A2, B1, B2, and C1 until you’re fluent. However, if you have already mastered some of the language and you’re starting at B1 on the CEFR scale, you’ll only need to work through B2 and C1 until you’re fluent. As a rough guide, it’s estimated that it takes 70 hours to get to A1 and 150 hours to go from A1 to A2. To get from A2 to B1, you’ll need to spend a further 300 hours learning English. From then on, each level takes around 200 hours to work through.

4. Where Are You Learning?

Where you choose to learn English can certainly have an impact on how quickly you progress and how long it takes you to become fluent in English. When you spend time in a native English-speaking city, like London, it gives you the opportunity to immerse yourself in the language and culture. You’ll hear people speaking English when you walk past them on the street, in shops, and when you’re socialising. This can hone your listening, comprehension, and speaking skills far more quickly.

5. What Learning Methods Are You Using?

There are different ways of learning English, and some enable you to become fluent more quickly than others. The Callan Method is designed to deliver fast results, for example, and focuses on speaking, listening, and pronunciation. Alternatively, a full-immersion, intensive course, gives you access to more lessons and lets you fast-track the process of becoming a fluent English speaker. Similarly, learning from native English speakers can have an impact on how quickly you can speak English fluently. When you’re learning from teachers who can speak, translate, write, and provide real-time feedback in their native language, it’s certainly easier to understand and memorise new words, concepts, and language patterns.

Become Fluent in English with ABC School

If you want to know how to become a fluent English speaker, we’re here to help! Our range of courses provide you with all of the tools, resources, and guidance you need to learn English, no matter what your starting point is. Whether you’re a complete beginner or you can already speak some English, we’ll help you to reach the fluency level you’re aiming for. With the option to enrol in one-to-one lessons too, you can access all of the help you need to become fluent in English. Studying at the ABC School means you’ll be located in the heart of London, which will give you the opportunity to enjoy the culture and history of this wonderful city. Of course, being surrounded by native speakers will also have a positive impact on your progress and help you to become fluent more quickly too. If you want to find out more or you’re ready to enrol, contact ABC School now on +44 (0) 20 7836 8999 or email us at info@abcschool.co.uk.