German
German is an FSI Category II language: about 36 weeks of class, a little more than Spanish or French. These guides cover hours per level, Goethe-Zertifikat prep, the B1 requirement for German citizenship, and tracking.
German in numbers
- FSI difficulty
- Category II
- FSI class hours
- 828
- Hours to B1
- ~414
- Hours to B2
- ~662
For a native English speaker. Work out your own finish date or log your German hours free.
Language Guides 2
German B1 for Citizenship and Residency: The Rules and the Hours
Germany requires B1 for citizenship and most settlement permits. What the law says, how the 600-unit integration course works, and how long B1 takes.
Language GuidesTracking Your German Learning Progress: A Practical Guide
How to track your German learning the right way: hours, activities, streaks, and milestones.
German FAQ
How long does it take to learn German?
The U.S. Foreign Service Institute puts German in Category II: about 36 weeks, or 828 class hours, for a native English speaker to reach professional working proficiency (ILR 3). FSI students also self-study about 17 hours a week on top of class.
How many hours to reach B1 in German?
About 414 hours from scratch for a native English speaker, by this blog's rule of thumb (half of FSI's class hours). At one hour a day that is about 14 months. A1 is about 104 hours, A2 about 207 and B2 about 662.