The same question has completely different answers depending on where you start.
Going from zero to B2 takes about 500 hours of effective study. Our full pathway is 330 class hours plus self-study, about 14 months; the full-time intensive is 300 class hours over 12 weeks.
The four paths below cover the vast majority of cases we have seen. Find the one closest to you, then look at the time and cost shown. All prices are in Canadian dollars, before tax; 13% HST is added at checkout. To estimate your own total, use the cost calculator.
The four paths
| Path | Start | Goal | Time | Hours | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A Direct to immigration | Complete beginner | TEF B2 / CLB 7 (NCLC 7) | About 14 months | 330 | $10,080 |
| B Accelerated | B1 | TEF B2 / CLB 7 (NCLC 7) | 9 months | 204 | $6,132 |
| C Diploma | Complete beginner | DELF B2 | 12 months | 240 | $7,224 |
| D Practical | Complete beginner | Getting by in daily life | 8 months | 120 | $3,612 |
Path A: from zero to CLB 7 (the most common)
Who it is for: you speak no French at all, you clearly aim to use the French-language stream for immigration points, and you have one to two years.
- Months 1–2A1.1 + A1.2introduce yourself, order and shop, say what you did yesterday
- Months 3–4A2.1 + A2.2tell a full story of your experience, talk about plans, write a simple email
- Months 5–7B1.1 + B1.2express opinions coherently, make hypotheses and concessions
- Months 8–10B2.1 + B2.2argue about abstract topics, read long texts
- Months 11–14TEF sprinttwo full mock exams, score prediction
- Register → results → submit your application
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Total hours | 330 (including 6 stage assessments) |
| Weekly commitment | 6 hours of class + 6 to 8 hours of self-study |
| Total cost | $10,080 (about $721 per month) |
| Key checkpoints | The assessment at the end of each stage; if you do not pass, you repeat the stage once for free |
The biggest risk: months 4 and 5. The novelty has worn off, B1 is not yet within reach, and this is when people stop most easily. Attendance during this period decides everything that follows.
Path B: from B1 to CLB 7 (the fastest)
Who it is for: you have studied French for 2 to 3 years, or taken a B1 course, and need to submit your application within a year.
| Stage | Period | Content | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Months 1–3 | B1.1 + B1.2 | 72 |
| 2 | Months 4–6 | B2.1 + B2.2 | 72 |
| 3 | Months 7–8 | TEF sprint | 40 |
| 4 | Month 9 | French for the interview | 20 |
Total cost: $6,132, about $682 per month.
The biggest risk: overestimating your level. Many people think they are B1 and test at A2.2. So the first step must be a placement test, not registration.
Path C: from zero to DELF B2 (for a diploma)
Who it is for: further study, professional accreditation, or wanting a certificate that is valid for life, with no rush.
| Stage | Period | Content | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Months 1–4 | A1.1 → A2.2 | 120 |
| 2 | Months 5–8 | B1.1 + B1.2 | 72 |
| 3 | Months 9–12 | DELF B2 preparation | 48 |
Total cost: $7,224, about $602 per month.
Please note: the DELF does not add immigration points. If your real goal is immigration, choose path A or B.
Path D: from zero to usable French (the most down-to-earth)
Who it is for: you are not sure whether you will take an exam, or you simply want to start learning French.
| Stage | Period | Content | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Months 1–4 | A1.1 + A1.2 | 60 |
| 2 | Months 5–8 | A2.1 + A2.2 | 60 |
Total cost: $3,612, about $451 per month.
You can continue with B1.1; the price of continuing is locked at the price you registered at.
Three crossroads
“I am halfway through and cannot keep up” Each stage ends with an assessment; if you do not pass, you repeat that stage once for free. This is written into the terms. Pushing ahead regardless slows you down later.
“I do not have enough time: only 4 hours a week” Stretch the 14 months to 20, or start with path D and get A2 first. Do not compress class hours: what you compress is practice, and you pay it back later by retaking the exam.
“My budget is limited” Start with path D ($3,612) and decide afterwards whether to continue. Paying in stages is safer than buying the whole path at once, although the unit price is slightly higher. See the prices and the bundles.
Time invested versus result
| Weekly commitment | Roughly how long to CLB 7 | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| 6 hours of class + 6 hours of self-study | About 14 months | Standard pace, the most reliable |
| 10 hours of class + 10 hours of self-study | About 9 months | Needs a flexible schedule |
| Full-time intensive: 300 class hours | 12 weeks | Intense, needs full-time commitment |
| 3 hours of class + almost no self-study | Not achievable | You will keep stalling at A2 |
The last row is the truth. It is better not to start than to start like this.
Not sure which path you are on?
Take a placement test: forty minutes (30 minutes written and 10 minutes speaking), free, on site or online, and no need to register first. You get verbal feedback on the spot and written advice within 24 hours: which level to start at, roughly how long it will take, and when you can sit the exam. See the enrollment steps.
