How Many Hours to Go from A2 to B1 in English?
A2 to B1 is the stage where most Moroccan learners with a school background in English actually start, and also where many stall for years without a clear plan. Here are typical hour ranges and what decides whether you land at the fast or the slow end.
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Written and reviewed by Mourade Boulanouar — Founder & Head of Teaching, EnglifyLast reviewed
In short
Going from A2 to B1 in English usually takes about 150 to 200 hours of guided study, which is roughly six to nine months with two live classes a week plus short daily practice. Learners with a Moroccan school background in English often move faster on reading and grammar but slower on speaking. What decides the real duration is weekly speaking time and regular correction, not the hour count itself.
Key facts
- A2 to B1: about 150–200 guided hours
- Roughly 6–9 months with two classes a week
- School-taught learners advance faster on reading than speaking
- Passive watching does not count fully toward these hours
- Speaking time and correction decide the real pace
- A level assessment confirms when you reach B1
Related questions
The typical range
Widely used guided-learning-hour estimates for CEFR levels put the A2-to-B1 stage at roughly 150 to 200 hours of classroom or guided study. These are typical estimates published for planning course lengths, not guarantees — your own pace depends heavily on the factors below.
What counts as a "guided hour"
Guided hours mean time actively taught or structured — a live class, a guided listening exercise with feedback, a corrected writing task. Passive exposure (watching TV, scrolling in English) helps but is not counted the same way, because it doesn't include correction or a structured target.
Turning hours into a weekly schedule
- 2 hours a week (one 60-min class + practice): roughly 18–24 months to move A2 → B1
- 4 hours a week (two classes + daily short practice): roughly 9–12 months
- 6–8 hours a week (intensive plan): roughly 5–7 months
Why two learners with the same hours can land differently
- Starting point inside A2: a strong A2 close to B1 needs fewer hours than a fresh A2
- Speaking practice ratio: hours spent only reading and doing grammar exercises move slower than hours that include speaking with correction
- Consistency: four short weekly sessions beat one long monthly session for the same total hours
- Exposure outside class: daily listening and reading in English shortens the guided-hour count needed
Signs you are actually at B1, not just "finished the book"
- You can tell a short story about something that happened, with connected sentences
- You can explain a simple opinion and give one reason, without long pauses
- You understand the main point of a slow, clear conversation on a familiar topic
- You can handle most everyday transactions without switching to French or Arabic
What slows this stage down the most
The single biggest reason learners stay at A2 far longer than the hour estimates suggest is speaking avoidance — doing grammar and vocabulary work while avoiding live conversation. Since B1 is defined by what you can do in a conversation, not what you recognise on a page, hours without speaking practice under-deliver on this specific transition.
Frequently asked questions
- Are these hour estimates exact for every learner?
- No — they are typical planning ranges used by language schools, not a guarantee. Your starting point, consistency and how much of your practice includes speaking all shift the real number.
- Can I reach B1 faster than 150 hours?
- Some learners do, usually because they already had strong passive knowledge from school and needed mainly to unlock speaking rather than learn new grammar from zero.
- Does watching English shows count toward these hours?
- It helps your listening and vocabulary, but it isn't counted the same as guided hours because it lacks structured correction — think of it as a strong supplement, not a replacement.
- How do I know if I'm still A2 or already B1?
- A spoken placement test is the most reliable way — written self-assessment quizzes tend to place learners higher than their real speaking level shows.
- How much do English lessons cost in Morocco?
- At Englify, small-group online English classes are the most affordable option and private one-to-one classes cost more per hour, because a private teacher works with one student only. Current group and private prices are confirmed on WhatsApp (+212 724 744 137) and on our prices page, since they depend on the format, the number of hours per week and the length of the plan. The trial class is free and no card is required.
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