The Common European Framework of Reference (for foreign languages) is what we use to understand our current level in a foreign language.
The CEFR is a guide that helps us not only track our progress but create plans to reach our goals on time. For example, right now I am shooting for B2 in French, and I know exactly what I should be learning to get to that level and meet the expectations of a B2 learner.
Whether you are A1 or C1, this article will help you understand how many hours you will need to study to reach the next level in Spanish!
Without any further ado, let’s learn about all of the Spanish CEFR levels, and what they mean.
Summary: Spanish CEFR Levels
CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference) is a way to gauge our level in a language. There are 6 levels which are:
A1) - Beginner [60-85 Hours + 500 Words]
A2) - Upper Beginner [160-200 Hours + 900 Words]
B1) - Intermediate [380-420 Hours + 1,850 Words]
B2) - Upper Intermediate (Fluent) [620-675 Hours + 3,000 Words]
C1) - Native [780-850 Hours + 7,500 Words]
C2) - Advanced Native [940-1,050 Hours + 15,000-20,000 Words]
Each level that you reach will show an increased ability to use the language in distinct situations. In this article, we will go over exactly what it takes to reach each level, and what you will be able to do when you get there.
¡Empecemos! (Let’s start)
What Is A1 In Spanish? Beginner 🤓
To have an A1 level in Spanish means that you can understand basic and commonly used phrases, talk about routine tasks, order food, and ask and answer basic questions.
Based on CEFR standards, an A1 level in Spanish requires about 500 known words. A1 is the first level in the CEFR and it signifies that you have a grasp of the basics of the language.
What Can You Do With An A1 Level in Spanish?
With an A1 level, you will start to be able to use your Spanish for the following things:
Understand common words and simple sentences
Write basic greetings, notes of appreciation, or about some of your routine tasks
Present yourself to others (Name, Hometown/Country, Hobbies)
Very basic conversations if the other speaker talks slowly and clearly
Study Hours Needed To Reach A1 In Spanish
According to AcademiaContacto, to reach an A1 level in Spanish you need 60-85 hours of learning.
This number, however, can change based upon your consistency, and what methods you employ. If you are interested in learning how I got my French to A1 within 1 month, check out this article about the 11 methods I used.
Daily Study Needed | How Long To Reach A1 In Spanish |
30 Minutes | 4-6 Months |
1 Hour | 2-3 Months |
2 Hour | 1-2 Months |
What Is A2 In Spanish? Advanced Beginner 🧐
The learner with an A2 level should know about 900 words in total. The level A2 in Spanish signifies that the learner can understand and use basic expressions.
Furthermore, with an A2 level, one can talk about what’s important to them, communicate and understand routine tasks, and describe their family and background.
What Can You Do With An A2 Level in Spanish?
A learner with an A2 level in Spanish can use their skills a lot more, for example, they can:
Have basic 5-minute conversations with natives (if they speak slowly and clearly)
Read short and simple texts
Make relatively smooth introductions to people they meet
Describe their family, background, and past work experiences (with errors)
Order food in a restaurant with relative ease
Use Usted and Tú forms appropriately
Understand 60% of intermediate material (Videos/Stories)
Study Hours Needed To Reach A2 In Spanish
It takes about 160-200 hours to reach an A2 level in Spanish. This means that if you just started learning Spanish and you learn for 1 hour a day, you will reach A2 within about 6 months.
Daily Study Needed | How Long To Reach A2 In Spanish |
30 Minutes | 11-14 Months |
1 Hour | 5-7 Months |
2 Hours | 2-3 Months |
What Is B1 In Spanish? Intermediate 😎
The B1 level in Spanish means that you know about 1,850 words and that you can communicate comfortably in basic conversations. You should also be able to understand clear and standard texts about topics of your interests.
What Can You Do With a B1 Level in Spanish?
When you reach a B1 level in Spanish, your interactions with the language become much more deep and enjoyable. At a B1 level you should be able to:
Understand the main points of clear, standard text that are relevant to you
Write personalized letters expressing emotions, wishes, and experiences
Able to handle issues that may arise while traveling
Able to sustain a conversation on familiar topics
Understand the main points of podcasts, videos, and radio (when spoken clearly)
Present oneself with ease for both the speaker and the listener
Ask for recommendations, directions, help, etc.
Study Hours Needed To Reach B1 In Spanish
To reach B1 in Spanish you need about 380-420 learning hours. So if you learn for 1 hour and 15 minutes a day, you’ll be able to reach this level within a year.
Daily Study Needed | How Long To Reach B1 In Spanish |
30 Minutes | 25-28 Months |
1 Hour | 12-14 Months |
2 Hours | 6-7 Months |
What Is B2 In Spanish? High Intermediate 👽
When one reaches B2, the learner is considered to be fluent. To reach B2 you need to have a vocabulary of at least 3,000 words. With this level, you can finally enjoy conversations with friends, as well as native content - including videos, articles, podcasts, and books.
What Can You Do With a B2 Level in Spanish?
Once you reach B2 (High Intermediate) level, you can:
Speak with natives naturally and fluently
Write and speak naturally about your life, experiences, and perspective on most topics
Read native literature like poetry, books, articles, and newspapers
Understand the majority of movies that are in standard Spanish
Debate, and explain your views on specific subjects including politics, history, etc.
Greet native speakers naturally and fluently without any issues
Have discussions that last hours
Live in a Spanish-speaking country without issues
Study Hours Needed To Reach B2 In Spanish
It takes about 620-675 hours to reach the B2 level in Spanish. This means that if you learn for 1 hour a day, you’ll reach this (fluent) stage within 2 years.
Daily Study Needed | How Long To Reach B2 In Spanish |
30 Minutes | 3-4 Years |
1 Hour | 20-23 Months |
2 Hours | 10-12 Months |
What Is C1 In Spanish? Native 👑
The C1 level is reached when a learner knows about 7,500 words in Spanish. This level is regarded to be the first “Advanced” or “Native” level. At this stage, the learner understands the grammar, vocabulary, and idioms used in everyday speech. C1 is not the highest level but is the level that many native Spanish speakers would have if they took tests.
What Can You Do With a C1 Level in Spanish?
With a C1 level in Spanish, you can do anything that a native can such as:
Read books on very specific subjects - even if they are not about your profession
Go to college and understand everything said in a lecture
Watch movies, Tv shows, and YouTube videos made for natives
Have conversations without looking for words, or mispronouncing anything
Work in the language
Live in a country where the language is spoken without any issues
Easily understand humor, satire, and sarcasm
Do speeches, interviews (etc) with eloquence
Study Hours Needed To Reach C1 In Spanish
It should take between 780 and 850 hours to reach C1 in Spanish. This means that if you study 1 hour a day for 2 ½ years you will reach this (native) level.
Daily Study Needed | How Long To Reach C1 In Spanish |
30 Minutes | 4-5 Years |
1 Hour | 2-2.5 Years |
2 Hours | 13-15 Months |
What Is C2 In Spanish? Advanced Native 🤯
A C2 level in Spanish is the most advanced level possible. Most natives have a C1 level, so to reach a C2 is like becoming an extremely well-educated native speaker. This level requires about 15,000-20,000 known words.
What Can You Do With a C2 Level in Spanish?
With a C2 level in Spanish, you can do all of what most natives can and more. Such as:
Write complex articles, letters, or reports with no grammatical errors
Understand native content such as movies without any difficulty
Present clear and strategic texts that are written in a format that helps that reader understand your points extraordinarily well
Take part in any discussions - using idiomatic expressions and colloquialisms
Ability to explain extremely small nuances to help the listener imagine precisely what you’re describing
Study Hours Needed To Reach C2 In Spanish
You need to study Spanish for approximately 940-1,050 hours to reach a C2 level in Spanish. This means that if you study for 1 hour a day, you will reach this level within 3 years.
Daily Study Needed | How Long To Reach C2 In Spanish |
30 Minutes | 5-6 Years |
1 Hour | 2.5-3 Years |
2 Hours | 13-16 Months |
If this helped you out, discover these awesome new ways of learning Spanish with ChatGPT!
Have a wonderful day/evening/night!
Hasta luego,
Ben.