How long does A1 take?
Honest answer: it depends. Here is a realistic idea and a simple study plan.
Rough estimates
| Study time | Typical time to A1 |
|---|---|
| 10 min a day | 2–3 months |
| 20–30 min a day | 4–8 weeks |
| 1 hour a day | 3–5 weeks |
These are our own estimates, not measured data; speakers of other Romance languages (Spanish, French) have a head start.
What A1 needs
- About 150–300 core words (greetings, numbers, family, food, places)
- Articles and gender, essere/avere, present tense of regular verbs
- Understanding very simple sentences heard slowly
Exams
Italian has no single exam like the HSK for Chinese: there are several certificates (CILS, CELI, PLIDA). OgniGiorno is not affiliated with any of them.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to reach A1?
It depends on study time and your native language. For speakers of a Romance language (Spanish, French…) it is usually faster; many learners aim for a few weeks to a couple of months of regular study. These are rough estimates, not a promise.
Do I need an exam to certify my Italian?
Not to learn. If you need a certificate, there are CILS (Università per Stranieri di Siena), CELI (Università per Stranieri di Perugia), PLIDA (Società Dante Alighieri) and others.