One of École Galilée’s core missions as a bilingual school in Paris is to support children in becoming confidently bilingual. Becoming bilingual is not only a cultural and professional advantage, but also a meaningful form of personal growth. The acquisition of a second language, and reaching real bilingual proficiency, is a journey shaped by curiosity, challenge, and achievement.
So, how long will it take to become bilingual? The answer depends on many variables, from teaching methodology to the learner’s level of motivation, exposure, and learning environment.
Let’s take a closer look.
Summary
- Becoming bilingual: a goal that is not as simple as it seems
- Between 2 and 6 years to become bilingual
- Factors that vary from one learner to another
- Becoming bilingual: key elements that influence the learning process
- Age and its impact on how easily new languages are learned
- Linguistic proximity and its effect on how long to become bilingual
- Different teaching methods and their level of effectiveness
- The importance of consistency and time spent practicing
- Individual talent and how it affects language learning
Becoming bilingual: a goal that is not as simple as it seems
Between 2 and 6 years to become bilingual
Reaching bilingual proficiency is an ambitious objective that requires dedication and perseverance. Research suggests that if a learner commits to practicing one hour per day, it may take between 600 and 2200 hours of learning to achieve an advanced level in a new language. In practical terms, this represents a period ranging from 2 to 6 years to become truly bilingual, which often leads families and learners to wonder how long it really takes to become bilingual.
This wide range depends on several elements, including the complexity of the language being learned and how closely it relates to the learner’s native tongue. For example, for a native English speaker, learning Spanish, a relatively close linguistic category, may require around 600 hours of practice. In contrast, achieving the same level in a more distant language such as Mandarin Chinese or Arabic may require up to 2200 hours of steady learning and exposure.
A timeline that varies from person to person
The 2 to 6 year estimate assumes consistent, structured, and effective daily practice. However, becoming bilingual goes far beyond mastering grammar rules and vocabulary memorisation. It requires meaningful interaction with native speakers, cultural immersion, exposure to media in the target language, and ideally spending time in a country where the language is spoken naturally.
Several additional factors can shorten or extend the time needed to reach fluency, including the learner’s age, natural linguistic aptitude, prior exposure to other languages, motivation level, available learning hours, and the methodology used. All of these elements play a key role in the pace of progress and the moment when a learner can genuinely feel bilingual in a new language.
Becoming bilingual: factors that influence the learning process
Age and its impact on language learning
Age plays a major role in how easily a person can learn new languages. Children, especially those under the age of seven, generally develop language skills more easily. This advantage is linked to brain plasticity, which allows children to absorb and process new linguistic information intuitively. At this stage of development, the brain is highly receptive to language learning. Experts estimate that for a child to become truly bilingual and reach natural fluency, they need consistent and balanced exposure to both languages over several years, often 5 to 7 years or more. In other words, when parents ask how long to become bilingual, for young children the answer is often closely tied to long-term immersion.
For adults, however, learning a new language can be more challenging. Adults have already developed deeply rooted cognitive and linguistic frameworks based on their native language, which can interfere with learning new sound systems, grammar patterns, and structures. This does not mean adults cannot become bilingual, but it does mean that the time it takes to reach fluency may be longer, and the learning process requires more conscious effort, repetition, and structured exposure.
Linguistic proximity and its effect on learning time
The linguistic distance between the learner’s native language and the new language plays a significant role in determining how long it takes to reach a functional level of proficiency. When two languages share similarities in grammar, vocabulary, or writing systems, the learning curve becomes shorter, and progress accelerates naturally. For example, a native Spanish speaker will generally learn Italian or Portuguese much more easily than Mandarin, because Romance languages share structural and lexical similarities.
These similarities help learners rely on existing knowledge, making the journey to fluency faster and more intuitive. On the other hand, when learning a language that differs significantly from one’s native system, the process requires more time, more hours of structured practice, and deeper cognitive adaptation. New writing systems, unfamiliar sounds, and entirely different grammatical patterns – such as those found in Arabic or Mandarin – create an additional layer of challenge. As a result, the commitment needed is often greater, and reaching a high level of bilingual competence may take longer.
Different teaching methods and their effectiveness
Learning methods also play a crucial role in how quickly someone can become bilingual, and they directly influence how long to become bilingual.
There are, first, structured lessons. Whether provided in schools such as an international bilingual school or in language learning centres, formal courses offer a solid framework for building grammar, vocabulary, and core language skills.
Then there is immersion. Although more complex and sometimes costly to implement, immersion remains one of the most effective approaches. It involves living in a country where the language is spoken daily, which creates a natural and accelerated pathway to fluency.
Finally, self-directed learning is another possible method. It is entirely feasible to learn a new language independently using books, online resources, or applications. However, this approach requires strong self-discipline, time management, and long-term motivation to maintain steady progress.
Consistency and learning time matter
Time invested in language learning is a determining factor in the process of becoming bilingual. Consistent practice, even in short sessions, is more effective than long but irregular study periods. Regular exposure helps create a stable learning rhythm, allowing the brain to absorb and retain new information more efficiently.
Frequent interaction with the target language through speaking, listening, reading, or writing strengthens understanding and builds confidence in communication. The more hours spent in active or passive immersion, whether through lessons, conversations, or media use, the faster fluency develops. Consistency remains a key element in successfully acquiring a new language.
Individual talent and its impact on learning
Personal aptitude also influences how quickly someone reaches bilingual proficiency. Some learners have a natural ability for languages, making it easier for them to internalise grammar structures, pronunciation, and vocabulary. This ease may come from heightened sound sensitivity, exceptional memory, or a strong capacity for imitation.
These individual abilities do not determine success alone, but they can accelerate the learning timeline and influence how long it takes to become bilingual.
However, talent alone is not enough to become bilingual. Motivation remains a key driver in the learning process. Qualities such as perseverance, discipline, and curiosity are equally important, as they help learners continue practising and progressing, even when challenges arise on the journey toward fluency.