At our usual pace, one level takes about 5 to 10 weeks of class, so reaching B2 from zero takes months of steady work, not weeks. That comes from how we run courses: a level is about 20 hours of class, usually in two sessions a week of one to two hours. Those are reference figures. They vary by course, and we confirm them after your placement test.
By Al Khawarizmi Institute. Checked on 1 November 2026.
What do the levels A1 to C2 mean?
Language courses use the CEFR, which describes language ability on a six-point scale, from A1 for beginners up to C2, and there are six levels:
- A1 and A2: the basic levels. Complete beginners start at A1.
- B1 and B2: the independent levels.
- C1 and C2: the proficient levels.
When a university, employer or visa asks for a level, it usually means one of these letters. So the useful question is not “how long does it take to learn French?” but “how long from my level to the level I need?”.
How do you work out your own timeline?
- Find your starting level. Our free written placement test takes 20 to 30 minutes, and complete beginners can start without one.
- Count the levels to your target. From A1 to the end of B2 is four levels.
- Multiply by the time per level. Four levels at about 20 hours each is about 80 hours of class as a reference, or roughly 20 to 40 weeks at two to four class hours a week.
- Add time between levels. New groups open monthly, and a group opens when enough students are ready, so there can be a wait.
Treat that as a planning sum and not a promise. The level exam decides when you move up, and some students need longer.
How many weeks is that for my goal?
These are reference sums, using about 20 class hours per level and two to four class hours a week. Waiting time between levels is not included.
| Goal, from zero | Levels | Class hours | Weeks of class |
| Finish A1 | 1 | About 20 | 5 to 10 |
| Finish B1 | 3 | About 60 | 15 to 30 |
| Finish B2 | 4 | About 80 | 20 to 40 |
| Finish C1 | 5 | About 100 | 25 to 50 |
Class time is only part of it. At our recommended one to two hours of study for each class hour, 80 class hours also means about 80 to 160 hours of your own work. If that is more than you can give each week, a slower group is often a better plan than a faster one you cannot keep up with.
Do I get something at the end of each level?
Yes. An exam at the end of each level decides the move up, and you receive a certificate stating the course completed and its dates, recognised by the Lebanese Ministry of Education and Higher Education. You also keep the same teacher throughout a level.
What makes it faster or slower?
- Study outside class. We recommend one to two hours for every hour in class, and we set homework.
- Intensive courses. Fast-track options and private lessons shorten the calendar.
- Skipping a level. You can skip one if the assessment shows you are ready.
- Falling between two levels. A few private classes can close the gap, or you can repeat the lower level.
- Long breaks. Pausing is possible in some circumstances, but we do not recommend it.
How long does it take to learn French?
One published guide, from Alliance Française de Leeds, gives these cumulative hours from zero: A1 60 to 100, A2 160 to 200, B1 360 to 400, B2 560 to 650, C1 810 to 950 and C2 1060 to 1200. That is one school’s guide, not a standard, and it counts a different way from our class hours, so do not compare the two directly. What it does show is that the higher levels take much longer than the first ones. See our French courses.
How long does it take to learn German, Russian, Spanish or Italian?
We do not quote a separate figure for each language, because we have no reliable published figure we could check and your starting point matters more. The same level structure applies to all of them. Russian runs when there is enough demand, so tell us early if you want it. See our courses in German, Russian, Spanish, Italian and English, or all our languages.
What if I have an exam or a deadline?
Work backwards from the date. For exam preparation, start at least two months before if you can, and longer is better. We run crash courses when your exam is soon, and the team will tell you honestly whether your target is realistic in the time available.
How do I start?
Take the free placement test at our main branch in Simkanieh, in the Chouf, or online in some circumstances. Walk-ins are welcome, Monday to Saturday, 8am to 8pm. Most courses are also available live on Zoom, including for students outside Lebanon, at the same fee. Group courses start from $150 as a reference figure, English courses are charged per level, and we confirm the fee for your course. There is no registration fee. Message us with your language and your goal: Enroll Now.