⏱️ CURRICULUM GUIDE 3 OF 3 — STUDY HOURS & LEVEL ROADMAP

Estimated English Study Hours & 9-Level Progression Roadmap

Students frequently ask during the trial lesson: "How many months or hours will it take me to hold daily conversations or pass EIKEN / TOEIC / IELTS?" Share this 9-Level Progression Table with your student to set realistic, inspiring milestones!

1. The 9-Level Progression & Cumulative Study Hours Table (CEFR / Exam Aligned)

For a native Japanese speaker learning a Western language (English, French, or Spanish), total proficiency is determined by Cumulative Study Hours = Weekly 1-on-1 Lesson Hours + Daily Self-Study Hours. Use this benchmark table to diagnose your student's current stage and map out their next goal:

Level	CEFR & Exam Equivalent (EN / FR / ES)	Cumulative Hours	Can-Do Speaking & Comprehension Milestone
Level 1 (Starter)	Pre-A1 / EIKEN Grade 5 / Futsuken 5 / Seiken 6	0–60 hrs (~3–6 mos)	Masters alphabet, core pronunciation rules, greetings, numbers, self-introduction, and ordering at a café.
Level 2 (Elementary I)	CEFR A1 / EIKEN Grade 4 / DELF A1 / Futsuken 4 / DELE A1 / Seiken 5	60–150 hrs (~6–10 mos)	Can ask and answer simple questions about daily routines, hobbies, family, shopping, and travel directions in present tense.
Level 3 (Elementary II)	CEFR A2.1 / EIKEN Grade 3 / TOEIC 400 / Futsuken 3 / Seiken 4	150–250 hrs (~1 year)	Can describe past experiences, weekend plans, and personal preferences using past and future tenses in short conversations.
Level 4 (Pre-Intermediate)	CEFR A2.2 / EIKEN Pre-2 & Pre-2 Plus / TOEIC 500 / DELF A2 / DELE A2	250–400 hrs (~1.5 years)	Can handle independent overseas travel situations, express opinions with 2 supporting reasons, and write 50–80 word emails/essays.
Level 5 (Intermediate I)	CEFR B1.1 / EIKEN Grade 2 / TOEIC 600–650 / DELF B1 / Futsuken Pre-2 / DELE B1 / Seiken 3	400–600 hrs (~2 years)	Can sustain a 60-minute conversation in the target language on familiar work, news, and cultural topics with natural connectors.
Level 6 (Intermediate II)	CEFR B1.2 / TOEIC 730 / IELTS 5.5 / Futsuken 2	600–800 hrs	Can participate in workplace discussions, explain pros and cons of social issues, and handle unexpected travel or business problems.
Level 7 (Upper-Intermediate)	CEFR B2 / EIKEN Pre-1 / TOEIC 800–860 / IELTS 6.5 / DELF B2 / Futsuken Pre-1 / DELE B2 / Seiken 2	800–1,100 hrs	Can argue viewpoints fluently, understand authentic news/podcasts, and conduct professional business or university study abroad.
Level 8 (Advanced I)	CEFR C1.1 / TOEIC 900+ / IELTS 7.0 / DALF C1 / DELE C1	1,100–1,500 hrs	Can negotiate, deliver persuasive presentations, and read complex literature and industry reports with high precision.
Level 9 (Mastery)	CEFR C1–C2 / EIKEN Grade 1 / IELTS 7.5–8.0+ / DALF C2 / Futsuken 1 / DELE C2 / Seiken 1	1,500–2,000+ hrs	Near-native professional mastery across academic, diplomatic, executive, and cultural domains.

2. How to Use Study-Hour Math in Your Trial & Regular Lessons

Break Down the Goal into Weekly Habits: When a beginner sees "150 hours to reach CEFR A1/A2," it sounds big at first.

Show them the simple math:
• 1 hour per week of 1-on-1 lesson with you (50 hours/year)
• + 15 minutes per day of enjoyable commute audio/homework (90 hours/year)

• = 140 hours in 1 year! That means any student who meets with you once a week and listens to audio for 15 minutes a day on the train is guaranteed to advance 1 to 2 full CEFR/Exam levels within a single year!

← Previous (Guide 2): Homework & Self-Study Materials ✨ Apply as a Tutor Now →

📘 OFFICIAL 10-CHAPTER TEACHING MANUAL & CURRICULUM SYSTEM

Complete Tutor Playbook: From Trial Lesson to Long-Term Retention

Designed around the Strategy of Preeminence (putting the student's breakthrough first) and Zero-Friction Risk Reversal. Read Chapters 1 to 7 for lesson operations and Guides 1 to 3 for textbook and study-hour planning.