The honest answer: it depends
Nobody can promise a timeline without knowing your starting point. Two factors dominate:
- Your current level (A0, A2, B1…)
- Your weekly pace (class hours + personal work)
What institutions use as benchmarks
Learning frameworks estimate progress in hours of instruction per CEFR level. Commonly cited ranges:
- complete beginner (A0) to B1: about 350–400 hours;
- B1 to B2 (the CLB/NCLC 7 level): about 150–250 more hours.
These are averages, not guarantees: how close your first language is to French, your daily exposure, and the quality of feedback all change the pace.
In months, concretely
| Starting point | Intensive pace (10-15 h/wk) | Regular pace (4-6 h/wk) | |---|---|---| | Beginner (A0) | 9 to 14 months | 24+ months | | False beginner (A2) | 6 to 9 months | 12 to 18 months | | Intermediate (B1) | 3 to 6 months | 6 to 12 months |
CLB 7 in 6 months is realistic mostly if you are already B1 and can keep a sustained pace — the most common scenario for candidates pressed by an Express Entry draw.
What actually speeds things up
- Guided output: speaking and writing with individual corrections, not just consuming content.
- Exam-format training: with equal skills, knowing the TEF/TCF format earns points.
- Consistency: five 1-hour sessions beat one 5-hour session.
Where to start
With a per-skill level assessment: it is the only way to turn "how long" into a costed, realistic plan for your situation.
