How long does it take to learn Mandarin Chinese?

This table is a Chinese learning progress benchmark, so you can know through immersion learning and deliberate practice, how long it’ll take to reach a certain level of Chinese.

LevelsStandard CourseIntensive
Course 
What you will learnWhat you will achieve
Beginner3 weeks2 weeks1. Pinyin and Chinese pronunciation rules
2. Fifteen necessary topics for traveling or living in China
Students who finish this period of study can use Pinyin and engage in simple dialogues with Chinese people.
Elementary6 weeks4 weeks1. Fifteen oral topics that will include most of Chinese’s basic sentence structures and grammar structures.
2. Written lessons will include writing Chinese radicals and some simple Chinese characters, as well as proper stroke order.
Students who finish this period of study will understand 500 words and be able to communicate simply and directly on daily topics with which they are familiar. They will also be able to achieve HSK level 2.
Intermediate8 weeks6 weeks
1. A greater understanding of Chinese sentence structures and grammar
2. Different ways to express the same idea


Students who finish this period of study will understand 800 words and reach a level of basic communication regarding tasks in daily life, study, and work. Students traveling in China will  be able to handle most communication tasks they encounter. They will also be able to achieve HSK level 3.
Upper-Intermediate10 weeks7 weeks
1. Begin learning words and phrases regarding Chinese culture
2. Begin learning Chinese idioms
3. A basic understanding of Chinese history

Students who finish this period of study will understand 1500 words and be able to use Chinese to discuss a wide range of topics with native speakers. They will also be able to achieve HSK level  4.
Advanced36 weeks24 weeks

1. A deeper understanding of Chinese history, including famous Chinese events and famous Chinese people
2. Basic business Chinese
3. A deeper understanding of Chinese idioms and Chinese customs


Students who finish this period of study will know 2500 words and be able to read Chinese newspapers and magazines, appreciate Chinese films and television, write and deliver full speeches, and communicate with Chinese people  at a normal speed. They will also be able to achieve HSK level 5.
Proficient80 weeks60 weeks
1. Chinese policies and economy
2. Lessons on ancient Chinese poetry and classical Chinese masterpieces
3. Advanced business Chinese
Students who finish this period of study will achieve a native speaker’s level of listening and reading comprehension and will be able to express themselves fluently in written and oral Chinese. They will also be able to achieve HSK level 6. 
Notes: The above class hours are not cumulative. This schedule is only a guideline, actual results may be achieved before or after the given dates.
            Standard course=3hs/d       comprehensive course=6hs/d

Becky Huang

Hey, my name is Becky. I'm a Chinese teacher certified by the Confucius Institute with 14 years of teaching experience. I wrote all these exercises based on the New HSK Standard (2021).