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.
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.
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:
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!
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:
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!
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.
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.
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:
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?
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?
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.
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!
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!
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:
You see, your entire life will have an effect on the number of Spanish classes needed to get to the intermediate level.
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:
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!