From Zero to Fluent: How Long Does It Really Take to Learn Yorùbá or Igbo?

If you’re starting your language learning journey with Yorùbá or Igbo, you might be wondering: How long will it take to become fluent? The answer depends on several factors, including your dedication, practice methods, and—most importantly—how much you engage with native speakers like your friends and family.

At Lingawa, we believe that learning Yorùbá or Igbo shouldn’t be stressful—it should be fun, immersive, and realistic. In this post, we’ll break down a practical fluency timeline, plus tips on how to speed up your learning process using the people around you!

Understanding the Fluency Timeline

No two learners are the same, but language experts estimate that reaching conversational fluency in a new language typically takes 600-1,100 hours of study and practice. Here’s what that looks like in real life:

Beginner (0-3 months) – “I Know a Few Words!” 🎉

• You can greet people, introduce yourself, and say simple sentences.
• You recognize common words in conversations but struggle to respond.
• You mix English with Yorùbá or Igbo (and that’s okay!).

💡 Tip: Use your friends and family as your personal tutors. Ask them to quiz you on words and correct your pronunciation!

Elementary (3-6 months) – “I Can Hold a Basic Conversation!” 🗣️

• You can ask and answer simple questions.
• You’re more comfortable listening to native speakers but still need them to slow down.
• You might struggle with tones (especially in Yorùbá) or word order (in Igbo), but you’re improving!

💡 Tip: Practice speaking daily, even if it’s just texting in Yorùbá or Igbo with family members. Consistency is key!

Intermediate (6-12 months) – “I Can Express My Thoughts!” ✨

• You understand most everyday conversations but still miss some words.
• You start to think in Yorùbá or Igbo instead of translating from English.
• Your grammar improves, but you might make funny mistakes (which is normal!).

💡 Tip: Immerse yourself—watch Nollywood movies, listen to Yorùbá or Igbo music, and speak with friends without switching to English!

Advanced (1-2 years) – “I Sound Like a Native!” 🌍

• You can speak comfortably on most topics.
• You understand fast conversations and can follow local humor.
• Your pronunciation and tones are much better.

💡 Tip: At this stage, you’re almost fluent, but you need to practice cultural expressions and slang to sound natural. Ask friends to teach you proverbs and idioms!

But Is This Timeline Really Possible?

Yes—and here’s how.

This timeline is totally achievable with consistent practice, active engagement with language resources, and at least two one-on-one tutor lessons per week. Structured lessons give you regular feedback, while independent practice and everyday immersion help you retain what you learn and apply it faster.

That said, many Lingawa students take just one lesson a week and still make considerable and extensive progress, thanks to their dedication and the supportive learning environment we create. So whether you’re doing one session or two, what really matters is showing up consistently and immersing yourself as much as possible.

Be Patient & Have Fun! 🎉

Learning a language is not a race—it’s a journey! The more you practice, listen, and speak, the faster you’ll reach fluency. Surround yourself with Yorùbá or Igbo speakers, embrace mistakes, and enjoy the process.

At Lingawa, we’re here to help you learn Yorùbá and Igbo faster, with engaging lessons, real-life practice, and expert tutoring.

🚀 Ready to start? Join Lingawa today and take your Yorùbá or Igbo learning to the next level!