If you have ever searched for a Polish course online, you have probably seen the same labels again and again:
A1. A2. B1. B2.
But for most people, these letters do not explain anything.
You may ask yourself:
- What does A1 Polish actually mean?
- How much Polish should I know before I start?
- Can I really speak after the first level?
- How long does it take to reach A1?
The answer is simpler than many people think.
A1 is not “perfect Polish.”
A1 is the moment when you stop feeling completely lost.
It is the first stage where you begin to understand simple words, ask basic questions, and survive in everyday situations without switching immediately to English.
At Levitin Language School and Start Language School by Tymur Levitin, we often meet students who are afraid to begin because they believe they must already know something before the first lesson.
In reality, A1 exists exactly for people who know almost nothing.
It is the beginning.
What You Can Do at A1 Level in Polish
At A1 level, you do not speak like a native speaker.
You do not discuss politics, literature, or complicated grammar.
But you can already do something much more important:
you can communicate.
By the end of a real A1 Polish course, you should be able to:
- introduce yourself;
- say where you are from;
- talk about your family and work;
- understand simple questions;
- ask for directions;
- buy something in a shop;
- order food or coffee;
- understand simple messages and signs;
- speak about your daily routine;
- use the present tense in everyday situations.
For example, an A1 student can already say:
- Mam na imię David.
- Jestem z Kanady.
- Mieszkam w Warszawie.
- Pracuję w firmie.
- Nie rozumiem.
- Czy możesz mówić wolniej?
These are not “small” sentences.
These are the first real steps toward living and speaking in Polish.
The Biggest Myth About A1 Polish
Many people imagine that A1 means learning hundreds of grammar rules before they can speak.
This is one of the biggest mistakes.
At the beginning, the goal is not to know every rule.
The goal is to understand the logic of the language and begin using it immediately.
Too many students spend months memorizing grammar tables and still cannot say a simple sentence.
At Levitin Language School and Start Language School by Tymur Levitin, we use a different principle:
speak first, understand gradually, and build confidence through real situations.
That means you do not learn random vocabulary lists.
You learn the language you really need:
- introducing yourself;
- talking about work;
- traveling;
- asking questions;
- communicating with people in Poland.
The more useful the language feels, the faster you remember it.
How Long Does It Take to Reach A1 in Polish?
For most students, A1 Polish usually takes between 2 and 4 months.
Of course, this depends on:
- how often you study;
- whether you practice speaking;
- whether you study alone or with a teacher;
- whether you already know another Slavic language.
Someone who studies 15–20 minutes a day may need several months.
Someone who studies regularly with a teacher and practices speaking can often reach A1 much faster.
The important thing is not speed.
The important thing is consistency.
Even small daily progress changes everything.
What Is Usually Included in an A1 Polish Course?
A good beginner Polish course usually includes:
- greetings and introductions;
- numbers, dates, and time;
- food and shopping;
- family and relationships;
- work and study;
- travel and transport;
- basic pronunciation;
- simple grammar and sentence structure;
- common verbs and useful phrases.
At this stage, pronunciation is especially important.
Many students are afraid of Polish pronunciation because of combinations like:
- sz
- cz
- rz
- szcz
But in reality, Polish pronunciation is much more logical than English.
Once you understand the sounds, you can usually read new words correctly.
That is why many beginners discover that Polish is easier than they expected.
The Real Difference Between A1 and A2
Many students think A1 and A2 are almost the same.
They are not.
A1 means:
“I can survive.”
A2 means:
“I can live more comfortably.”
At A2, you begin to:
- speak for longer;
- understand more natural speech;
- describe experiences and plans;
- use past and future forms;
- feel less afraid in conversations.
But you cannot reach A2 without a strong A1 foundation.
That is why the first level matters so much.
If A1 is rushed, everything later becomes more difficult.
If A1 is built correctly, the next levels become much easier.
The Best Way to Start Learning Polish
The best way to begin is not to wait until you “feel ready.”
Most people never feel ready.
The best moment is when you decide that you want to understand and speak, even if you are still afraid.
Start with simple words.
Start with simple phrases.
Start with one conversation.
Then continue.
If you want to see what a structured beginner Polish course looks like, the next step is here:
This page explains how Polish lessons work, what you can expect from the first level, and how to begin learning step by step.
You do not need to know Polish before you start.
You only need to start.
Author’s Column by Tymur Levitin
Author: Tymur Levitin — founder, director, lead teacher and translator at Levitin Language School / Language Learnings.
Global Learning. Personal Approach.
© Tymur Levitin, Levitin Language School / Language Learnings, 2026. All rights reserved.