How long does it take to learn English from scratch to basic conversation?

To reach simple routine conversation at CEFR A2, it generally takes 3 to 6 months with daily practice of 20 to 30 minutes. Cambridge estimates around 180 to 200 guided learning hours for A2. The pace depends on consistency and how much exposure you get each day.

I am already an adult, can I still learn English from scratch?

Yes. Adults often learn more efficiently because they are more patient, understand their goals, and can plan their own study strategy. The steps are the same: build core vocabulary, build up comprehensible input, then start speaking gradually. Consistency matters more than age.

Is grammar or vocabulary more important first?

Vocabulary comes first for absolute beginners. With vocabulary you can already grasp meaning and form simple sentences even if the grammar is not perfect. Grammar is best learned through basic patterns, then settles on its own as input grows. Frequency research shows core vocabulary gives the fastest communicative foothold.

Do I have to speak fluently from the start?

No. A silent period for listening and absorbing before you feel comfortable speaking is perfectly natural in language learning. Start by imitating and answering briefly, and sentences will emerge gradually as your ears tune in and your vocabulary builds.

What is the most effective way to memorize vocabulary so it does not fade?

Use spaced repetition, reviewing words at increasing intervals through a flashcard app like Anki. Learn words in phrases or sentences so you immediately know the context of use. Reviewing a little every day is far stronger than memorizing a lot at once.

How to Learn English from Scratch for Absolute Beginners

Learning English from scratch starts with mastering the roughly one thousand most frequent words, then building up input you can understand through daily listening and reading. Speaking grows once your ears are tuned and your core vocabulary is in place. An absolute beginner of any age can reach simple conversation within 3 to 6 months with consistent daily practice.

Build core vocabulary first: the first 1,000 words cover most daily conversation
Build up comprehensible input before demanding fluent speech of yourself
Daily practice of 20 to 30 minutes beats long sessions once a week

What You Need

A vocabulary notebook or flashcard app
A list of the 1,000 most frequent English words

6 Steps to Learn English from Scratch

These six steps follow the natural order of language acquisition: understand first, build vocabulary, then produce. Follow the sequence so each step becomes the foothold for the next.

Build a core vocabulary foundation first

Start from the most frequent words. Memorizing random dictionary entries spends a lot of effort for little return. Paul Nation's research shows that mastering the first 1,000 word families already covers the majority of everyday conversation, and 2,000 to 3,000 words cover almost all daily needs. A realistic first target is 1,000 core words. Learn words in short phrases so you immediately know how to use them in a sentence.

Tips

Learn 10 to 15 new words a day as phrases, for example I want, can you help
Use spaced-repetition flashcards so words do not fade quickly

Build up comprehensible input every day

Your ears need conditioning before your tongue can flow. Set aside time to listen to and read beginner-level material you can mostly grasp, such as children's stories, simple songs, or short subtitled videos. Krashen's input theory recommends material slightly above your current level: challenging enough to learn, easy enough to understand. Listening daily builds a feel for the language that memorizing rules rarely gives.

Tips

Watch videos with English subtitles, replaying interesting parts a few times
Listen to the same material repeatedly until it feels familiar before moving on

Learn just enough grammar through real sentence patterns

Grammar still matters, but beginners only need to recognize basic patterns: subject-verb-object order, simple present and past tense, and question words. Understand patterns through real example sentences, then imitate them. Avoid drowning in tense tables before you can form a simple sentence. Grammatical understanding settles on its own as more input comes in.

Tips

Master the present simple and past simple before advanced tenses
Note one new sentence pattern a day, then make three of your own from it

Memorizing all the tense tables at the start often overwhelms beginners and leads them to give up. Master the most frequent patterns first.

Start speaking gradually once your ears are tuned

Many beginners go through a silent period, a stretch of listening and absorbing before they feel comfortable speaking. This is natural and recognized in language acquisition theory. Begin by imitating sentences you often hear, then answering simple questions with one or two words, before forming full sentences. Shadowing, where you imitate a speaker right after hearing them, trains pronunciation and rhythm at the same time.

Tips

Practice shadowing for 5 minutes a day with a short audio you enjoy
Talk to yourself describing your daily activities in simple English

Use English in everyday life

Language you use sticks; language you store evaporates. Create small exposures every day without going abroad. Switch your phone to English, label objects at home with their English terms, or write your to-do list in English. Small, continuous exposure is far stronger than an occasional study marathon.

Tips

Switch your phone and social media language to English
Write a three-sentence daily journal about your day

Measure progress with clear level targets

Measurable progress keeps motivation alive. Use the CEFR framework as a map: A1 for introductions and basic phrases, A2 for simple routine conversation. Cambridge estimates around 80 to 100 guided learning hours for A1, and about 180 to 200 hours total for A2. Set small, specific targets, such as being able to introduce yourself within a month, so progress feels real.

Tips

Set specific, measurable targets, such as being able to introduce yourself within a month
Celebrate small wins like watching one video without subtitles

Aspect	Slows you down	Speeds you up (research-backed)
Early focus	Memorizing full tense tables	Mastering core vocabulary and basic patterns
Source	Grammar books only	Comprehensible input: daily listening and reading
Vocabulary	Random dictionary words	Most frequent words in phrases
Rhythm	Long sessions once a week	20 to 30 minutes every day
Speaking attitude	Waiting to be perfect before speaking	Starting gradually even when simple

How to Learn English from Scratch for Absolute Beginners

Want to start English from scratch with guidance?

A Snapshot of English Proficiency in Indonesia

Why so many people find it hard to start from scratch

6 Steps to Learn English from Scratch

Build a core vocabulary foundation first

Build up comprehensible input every day

Learn just enough grammar through real sentence patterns

Start speaking gradually once your ears are tuned

Use English in everyday life

Measure progress with clear level targets

Habits That Slow You Down vs Speed You Up

Beginner's Daily Routine Checklist

Self-Study vs Learning with a Tutor

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources & References