“When will I be fluent in Spanish?” “How long will it take for me to speak Spanish fluently?” ….Students almost always 
want to know – WHEN !!! There is this general impatience and attitude of immediate gratification. The answer is – sorry, but there is no answer. The question is so complicated that it would be untrue to designate an exact time.
For starters, why don’t we try to define “Fluency.” Simply put, I would say that it is the ability to express one´s self correctly and freely, and understand virtually everything that one hears.
So…you would like to know when you will be able to achieve this ability? Okay, let me humour you. The amount of time it would take you to be fluent would depend on, loads of things:
What is your current Spanish level?
Generally, people who can claim fluency in a language have a level C1 or C2 according to the CEFR. If your level is already around an intermediate B2 then you still have some good work left but nothing to be compared to a complete beginner. However, it typically takes a little less time to go from a complete beginner to a regular beginner, and likewise to go from the A levels to the B levels. The move from the B levels to the C levels is a lot more profound and requires a much larger investment of time and effort. Generally, the minimum level required in an educational or professional setting is B1 or B2.
To get an idea of what your Spanish level is currently – Take a Level Assessment quiz from UniSpain: 1, 2, 3 .
What is your native language?
If you are so lucky to be born in a country where a Romance language is spoken; such as Portuguese, Italian or French, then your quest to learn Spanish would be significantly easier as these languages share a common root with Spanish and sprout from the same linguistic Family Tree. In terms of vocabulary, grammar and sentence structure – and at times, even pronunciation, you would have an advantage in linking the similarities between your mother tongue and Spanish.
To everyone else, do not be discouraged, these folks still would need to work hard, just a little less than the rest of would need to.
How many languages do you speak?
If you already speak more than one language, then kudos to you! You have already developed taps into the tools and skills needed to learn another language and you will have more experience to draw from when learning Spanish. Make use of the methods that worked well for you the last time and I am sure they will work even better this time around as you learn Spanish as your third or fourth language.
How open-minded are you?
Do you see the world as a big playground of diversity? Or do you prefer to hold on to all that is familiar to you? If you approach your time in Spain with an open, curious and accepting attitude to the Spanish culture and way of life – and that includes, the way they speak i.e. Spanish, then you will have a much easier time of adapting yourself to the way this “foreign” language works and embrace the cultural contexts embedded within the language.
How motivated are you?
In order to truly make progress in Spanish, you absolutely must be committed to learning the language. This means that you put in a huge amount of effort on a consistent basis. You must live, breathe, eat and go to bed dreaming about Spanish throughout your time in Spain.
Are you up to it?
Here are a few tips to help you get the most out of your time in Spain:
- Stop speaking your native language!!!!!! – Like, no.
- Embrace the discomfort of being outside your linguistic comfort zone.
- Surround yourself with native Spanish speakers.
Make the most out of your surroundings. You are in Spain!
You are there to learn Spanish. All you need to do is go for it.
At the end of the day, it is not about time. Aim to learn Spanish well, not to learn it fast. What truly counts is the experience of learning. Be patient with yourself, go at your own pace and don’t compare yourself to anyone else. Live in the moment and create awesome memories in Spain. This way the language will stay with you emotionally and become a part of, not only your linguistic competencies, but the history of who you are as a person.
If you are a stubborn cookie, and would still like an idea of how much time you would need – Then try the fun Spanish Fluency Calculator from UniSpain that will give you a rough estimate of how many weeks it could take you to achieve fluency based on certain criteria.
