If you’ve just started learning Spanish, you’ve probably asked yourself this: How many classes will it take to go from beginner to intermediate Spanish?
You’re not alone. Every student wonders the same thing at the beginning,
Yes, you will find an answer here. There’s an average number of classes that you can aim for.
However, that’s not even the most important thing here.
If you want to learn effectively, you need more than that. You need to identify your current level, discover all the factors that will determine your progress, and learn how to make them work in your favor.
At WorldsAcross, based on the progress of hundreds of students, we’ve found that success depends on having a consistent structure, the right number of classes, realistic milestones, and continuous support from tutors and peers.
Ready to see how this all fits into your Spanish journey? Let’s figure it out together.
The difference from beginner to intermediate Spanish
How do you know what to aim for? How will you know when you’ve reached the intermediate level?
The answer is taking a closer look at both language levels and their characteristics.
What counts as “beginner”?
Of course, there’s an obvious answer: Someone who knows no Spanish.
But, naturally, it’s a little more than that.
There are many students who already know a little Spanish, from just a few words to those who took Spanish classes in high school and learned the basics.
So, it’s important to understand a little more about all the things that are included at the beginner level. For example:
- Basic greetings.
- Numbers
- Basic grammar rules
- Present tense
- Gender of nouns
If you’re still learning some or most of these elements of the language, you’re still at the beginner level of your learning path.
And that’s actually great news! Knowing exactly where you are helps you see how far you’ve come, and where to go next. Let’s go!
What does “intermediate” mean?
It’s easy to say you wish to reach the intermediate Spanish level. But what exactly does that mean?
You can take a look at some of these milestones. These are clear goals you can aim for:
- Hold conversations about your daily life
- Understanding the main ideas in short texts
- Understanding slow spoken Spanish
- Expanding grammar to past tenses
- Learning simple subjunctive sentences
And, of course, you can also look at the “official” framework.
According to the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference), this would be the A2-B1 levels.
Once you know for sure where you’re starting from and what your goal is, it’s time to look at the numbers!
How many Spanish classes are usually needed?
Of course, everyone’s pace is different, but having an average to aim for can help you plan your path with confidence. Let me give you a hand with that.
With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at some of the options available, including official estimates, variations, and the most realistic number supported by successful experiences from WorldsAcross students.
Official estimates
This is a good place to start. The generally accepted average number of Spanish classes needed. This number aligns with the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference).
It estimates that, to move from beginner to intermediate Spanish, you need approximately 150–200 hours of guided learning.
This should effectively take you from A1 to B1 language levels.
Generally speaking, this would be the equivalent of 50-80 Spanish lessons of structured 1-on-1 tutoring. Though, of course, this depends on the average length of the classes.
Different study formats
Yes, the duration of the classes will affect how many of them you need in your Spanish study plan.
However, there are a few more variations on the format of the classes that will influence your process. For example:
- Intensive courses. The kind that combines daily classes and homework. They could take you to the intermediate level within 6–9 months.
- Weekly classes only. With one class a week, depending on its length, you could reach an intermediate level in 1.5 or 2 years. Making progress and moving at your own pace!
- Group and private lessons. With a healthy balance of these different types of Spanish lessons every week, it’s possible to reach an intermediate level within the first year.
Realistic and successful classes with WorldsAcross
After analyzing the progress of thousands of students, WorldsAcross has found that reaching the intermediate level usually takes around 80 1-on-1 classes.
This number reflects not only hours of study, but the right balance between structure, consistency, and real communication.
So, what does that look like in real life for most WorldsAcross students?
- Timeframe: 80 classes could take around 4 to 12 months, depending on how many classes you choose to take every week.
- Format: These are fun and interactive conversations focused on speaking, feedback, and correction directly from a native Spanish-speaking tutor.
- Complement: Group classes add valuable listening and conversational practice with other learners, helping you apply what you’ve learned in real contexts.
Hitting that 80-class mark isn’t just a number, it’s that amazing moment when Spanish finally starts to flow naturally, and you realize how much you’ve grown. Isn’t that so exciting?
Factors that affect the timeline
As you can see, the average learning path still varies a lot. Going from beginner to intermediate Spanish could take from 6 months to 2 years. It all depends on you.
Here are the main factors that will define this journey for you.
Consistency and frequency
First of all, yes, this has a lot to do with the length of your classes. Naturally, if your Spanish lessons are longer, you might need fewer of them.
For example, if it takes you two years to reach the B1 level by taking a weekly one-hour class, maybe you could do it in one year if that class were two hours long.
What matters most isn’t just how long the classes are. It’s showing up, staying consistent, and keeping your motivation alive week after week.
If you study a little bit of Spanish every day, you will learn faster and better than if you take only one long class and then forget about it for several days.
WorldsAcross tutors emphasize building small but consistent habits through weekly sessions and accountability. It’s how students turn Spanish learning into part of their daily life!
Learning methods
Yes, some learning methods will definitely help you learn the language faster. Even better, make sure that you combine a few of them in your Spanish study plan.
For example, focusing only on passive grammar study alone will show slower results.
However, if you combine it with active learning, speaking practice, and receiving comprehensible input…
You’ll reach higher language levels much faster!
Student profile
Here’s something every student should know: Your learning path is completely unique.
Why? Because everyone has a different experience and a different background that affects their experience.
For example, factors like these:
- Experience learning other languages.
- Previous experience studying Spanish at school.
- Type of motivation or urgency to learn
- Daily exposure to the language
You see, your entire life will have an effect on the number of Spanish classes needed to get to the intermediate level.
Tips for making a smart study plan
With everything you’ve learned so far, this is the next step. Prepare your Spanish study plan and make the most out of it.
Follow the same balance that fast-progressing WorldsAcross students use: regular speaking practice through one-on-one classes, and cultural immersion through group sessions and self-study.
Here are a few ideas:
- Combine input and output (listening/reading with writing/speaking)
- Track your progress, set clear goals, and celebrate achievements.
- Prepare for every Spanish lesson. Prepare questions and review vocabulary.
- Practice outside of class with friends, family, or learning apps.
Knowing this, you can work on designing a Spanish study plan that works for you. Depending on your specific needs, goals, and time available.
Ready to start your own journey? At WorldsAcross, you'll find everything you need: personalized classes, constant support, and a team that truly believes in you!
You’ll be surprised by how naturally Spanish becomes part of your life!
