How long does it take to learn German A1, A2 and B1?
Last reviewed 3 November 2026 by the Fliego team
The short answer
Goethe-Institut guidance puts A1 at about 60–150 teaching hours, A2 at 150–260 and B1 at 260–490 in total. At 7.5 hours of live class a week with daily homework, that is roughly A1 in 2 months, A2 in 5 and B1 in about 9. At 3 hours a week it takes more than twice as long.
Teaching hours per level
| Level | Total teaching hours (from zero) |
|---|---|
| A1 | 60–150 |
| A2 | 150–260 |
| B1 | 260–490 |
These are cumulative ranges from Goethe-Institut guidance. Where you land in each range depends on how much you practise between classes, and on how much you speak in class.
Weeks to each level at different paces
At the faster end of each range, which needs regular homework:
| Pace | A1 | A2 | B1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 hours a week (weekend class) | 20 weeks | 50 weeks | 87 weeks |
| 7.5 hours a week (5 evening classes) | 8 weeks | 20 weeks | 35 weeks |
| 20 hours a week (full-time course) | 3 weeks | 8 weeks | 13 weeks |
What speeds you up
- Classes every weekday. Short daily sessions stick better than one long weekly one.
- Small groups. In a batch of 4 you speak in every class instead of listening to others.
- Homework checked every day. Mistakes get fixed before they become habits.
- A clear target. Know which level your visa, job or training needs, and by when.
Which level do you need?
- Nurses: what German level nurses need
- Ausbildung: German requirements for Ausbildung