Conversation is bidirectional. First, you need to understand what is being said to you, and then you need to respond. Therefore, reaching a conversational level in a language requires both a high level of comprehension and spoken fluency. In this post, I’ll share how long it takes to achieve this conversational level as well as some tips to get there.

Sufficient Exposure to the Language

I believe very much in the importance of input. In other words, you need to read and listen to the language sufficiently enough to develop a sense for the language. Whether studying German, Italian, Cantonese, or Russian, the principle is the same. Achieving a conversational level in a language requires ample exposure to the language.

It is impossible to continue a conversation if you cannot understand the other speaker. You need to give your brain the opportunity to adjust to the sounds, cadence, and flow of the language. Building up your comprehension is key.

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Sure, memorized phrases and a limited vocabulary may help you navigate basic transactions. You’ll probably be able to order food, purchase a ticket, or seem more courteous. However, if you want to have prolonged, in-depth conversations with people, your ability to comprehend the language is the foundation.

You can communicate despite shaky grammar or a limited vocabulary, but communication breaks down immediately if you cannot understand anything.

Don’t Rush Into Speaking

This may seem counterintuitive, but speaking is not necessarily the most effective means of improving your conversational ability in a language. This point is best exemplified by my experience learning Portuguese.

Many years ago, I spent a few months trying to learn Portuguese. Working with starter books, I didn’t give myself enough exposure to the language to prepare myself for spontaneous conversation. When I went to Portugal, I found it difficult to have any meaningful conversations with Portuguese people. I couldn’t follow what the Portuguese were saying. Furthermore, many Portuguese people spoke English well, and we’d end up speaking to one another in English.

I learned that, despite my previous knowledge of Spanish and French, I couldn’t just pick up Portuguese and give it a go. I needed to invest a minimum level of preparation. I studied the language more systematically for three months. I pushed myself past the phrase books dove into more interesting content: podcasts, books, and articles. We had better content in our Portuguese library at LingQ, which I devoured. I didn’t prioritize speaking. I just focused on more input.

The next time I went to Portugal, I had enough exposure to the language to converse with people. Imperfectly, I could communicate on quite a wide variety of topics. This time, I could actually understand what people were saying. Switching to English was no longer necessary to continue a conversation. I had developed a large passive vocabulary, and I was able to activate this knowledge easily while in Portugal. This trip was a personal milestone for me as a Portuguese learner.

When Should I Start Speaking?

This depends on you, your circumstances, and your tolerance for uncertainty. Some learners feel inclined to start speaking sooner than others. Personally, I prefer to keep speaking a low priority until I’m consuming more intermediate-level content (3-6 months later). I emphasize speaking more and more as I become more advanced in the language.

Regardless, conversation is an opportunity for meaningful input and feedback. You’re listening to your speaking partner and identifying areas of growth as a language learner. You’ll grow more comfortable using the language spontaneously, and you’re able to put your knowledge to the test. Some language learners find speaking very motivating while others prefer to limit their learning to reading and listening.

Overall, to reach a conversational level, you will need to speak a lot. Your tolerance for using the language spontaneously, making mistakes, and navigating misunderstandings affect your rate of progress.

How Much Time Does it Take to Become Conversational?

The time it takes depends largely on the language and your prior experience. If you already know Spanish, you could reach a conversational level in Portuguese within six months in an hour a day, or even faster with more time. But for languages further removed—like Russian—it can take years of steady listening and reading before reaching the same comfort level.

Ultimately, conversation is built on understanding. Speaking may feel clumsy at first, but if you can follow what others are saying, your ability to respond will develop naturally. The key is massive input: keep listening and reading consistently, and your conversational skills will follow. You can accelerate your progress as a speaker with more conversational practice, but trust that comprehension is the foundation for successful communication.

Here you can read: How long does it take to learn a language

FAQs

How much input do I need before I can converse?
It depends on the language and your background. For closely related languages, a few months of daily listening and reading may be enough, while more distant languages can take over a year.

Can I start speaking right away?
You can, but your conversations will be limited by your ability to understand. Speaking early is fine, but comprehension should come first.

Why is input more important than output at the start?
Conversation requires understanding. If you can’t follow what others are saying, your ability to reply won’t matter much.

What happens if I only learn phrases and grammar?
You might manage in basic situations, but you’re not prepared for meaningful conversation.

When will people stop switching to English?
Native speakers often switch to English because they are not easily or immediately understood. If your comprehension is strong, staying in the target language is more feasible.

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