The CEFR levels, in plain terms
Spanish courses are measured on the Common European Framework, A1 through C2, and the official DELE exams are built on it. The hour figures below are the commonly cited guideline ranges, and they assume study plus genuine contact with the language, not study alone.
Beginner
60 to 100 hoursIntroduce yourself, order food, ask where something is, understand slow clear speech about familiar things.
On this site: Days 1 to about 40 of the daily lessons.
Elementary
160 to 200 hoursHandle routine exchanges, describe your background and immediate surroundings, talk about the past in simple terms.
On this site: Days 40 to 90, plus the verb reference.
Intermediate
300 to 400 hoursDeal with most situations while travelling, describe experiences and give reasons for opinions.
On this site: Beyond this course as it stands today.
Upper intermediate
500 to 600 hoursFollow a technical discussion in your own field, speak fluently enough that neither side is straining.
On this site: Not yet covered here.
Advanced
700 to 800 hoursUse the language flexibly for social, academic and professional purposes without obviously searching for words.
On this site: Not yet covered here.
Mastery
1000 or more hoursUnderstand virtually everything heard or read, and express yourself precisely in complex situations.
On this site: Not yet covered here.
Nobody in a market in Oaxaca will ask what level you are. The framework is useful for choosing material and for exams, and useless as a measure of whether you can hold a conversation. If you have to pick one thing to track, track how many days in a row you turned up.