What are the levels of language proficiency

Intermediate - what level is it? To describe the levels in English a slightly different system is used than with other languages. According to the European Language Portfolio (CEFR), language proficiency is defined by the following levels A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2.

In the case of English, all levels are given an additional name from Beginner to Advanced. This is due to the fact that the English level system developed before the introduction of CEFR. A brief description of each level in terms of student knowledge looks like this:

Elementary possession	A1 beginner	The student understands short messages in English, can talk about himself, his work and free time, navigate in standard everyday situations. Listening comprehension is mostly tied to recognition individual words and expressions. Written communication skills are minimal.
	Elementary	The student can tell about himself, about the events of the past, about plans for the future in relatively detail. Owns three or four basic temporary forms. Speech is slow, individual errors are possible even in basic forms Oh. Recognizes familiar words and expressions in oral communication.
Self Ownership	Pre-Intermediate	The student understands oral and written communications in normative language, can take part in a simple conversation, navigate in most standard situations. Can talk about past events, plans for the future, conduct a conversation on abstract topics with the support of the interlocutor. The basic grammatical forms are generally stable.
	intermediate	At this level, there is a transition from dialogic to monologue speech. The student consistently uses basic grammatical forms, can express shades of meanings to a limited extent. Such speech genres as presentation, story, retelling begin to be mastered. Listening comprehension allows you to perceive unadapted messages, capture their general meaning, as well as a significant part of the details.
Fluency	Upper Intermediate	The student can navigate freely in extensive texts in English, using a dictionary from time to time. Medium-tempo speech, with linking elements, which allows you to work effectively with monologue genres. The student has some difficulty in expressing abstract ideas, but in most cases these difficulties can be overcome. The automatic use of non-basic grammatical forms begins.
	C2 Advanced	Student understands any message- oral or written, owns shades of words and idioms. Communicates freely in the vast majority of situations, does not need the services of an interpreter or intermediary when communicating with native speakers. owns for the most part grammatical means of the language.

In fact, English language levels do not fully correspond to CEFR levels. For example, the Elementary level only captures the A2 part, it could be more accurately described as intermediate level A1- A2, but for simplicity, these little things are usually ignored.

What you need to know at the Intermediate level

As can be seen from the table, all levels are divided into three large groups: elementary knowledge, independent knowledge and Fluency. It is understood that on Beginner levels and Elementary student can keep up the conversation, relying largely on the speech of the interlocutor, on Pre-Intermediate and Intermediate- communicate more independently, and at the highest levels- to clearly and fully express their thoughts and emotions in the language.

Most often, after a regular school and a non-linguistic university, people speak the language at a level up to Pre-Intermediate. Although the CEFR system Pre-Intermediate levels and Intermediate are related, there is a significant difference between them. Knowledge of English at the Intermediate level implies the ability to communicate not only in a dialogue situation, but to build sufficiently long monologue messages. Therefore, the issue of overcoming the "language barrier" is often associated with the transition to the Intermediate (intermediate) level of English. To do this, you need to not only expand your vocabulary, learn to understand native speakers, but expand your knowledge of linking words and more complex grammatical forms. Only after that you can move to the Upper-Intermediate level.

Intermediate level- this is the minimum level sufficient for more or less fluent communication in the language on any topic. A person with such knowledge will be able to find a way out of any situation, solve any domestic problem. In addition, only at this level is formed a stable knowledge that will remain with you for life. In other words, if you started training from scratch, it is recommended not to interrupt it until the Intermediate level is reached.

Intermediate level program

The course involves the development following topics:

Subject	Grammar	Vocabulary
food	Present Simple and Continuous Action and non-action verbs	food and restaurants
sports	past tenses	Sport
Family	future forms	family, personality
Introductions	revision	personal information
Money	Present Perfect and Past Simple	Money numbers
Changing your life	Present Perfect Continuous	Strong adjectives
Transport and travel	Comparatives and superlatives	Transport and travel
office	revision	In the office
Manners	Bond	Telephone English
Appearances	Must, may, might, should (deduction)	Describing people
Abilities	Can, could, be able to	-ed / -ing adjectives
Renting a flat	revision	Houses and flats
The school	First Conditional and future time clauses	Education
Dreams	Second Conditional	Houses
Friendship	Usually used to	Friendship
Describing a dwelling	revision	Houses and flats
work	Quantifiers	Noun formation
men and women	articles	Verbs / adjectives + prepositions
Careers	Gerunds and infinitives	work
Meetings	revision	Giving opinion
Resume / CV	revision	CV
Shopping	Reported speech	Shopping
Cinema	passive	Cinema
Heroes	Relative clauses	What people do
news	revision	Giving and reacting to the news
lucky	Third Conditional	Making adjectives and adverbs
Crime	Question tags	compound nouns
Television	Phrasal verbs	Television
Apologizing	revision	Apologies and excuses

As you can see from the program, the training includes not only everyday, but also more abstract topics. Level of knowledge of English Intermediate- this is, first of all, the ability to adequately express one's opinion and build monologue messages on a variety of topics.

Grammar material includes repetition of basic forms and familiarity with more complex shapes, For example indirect speech. It is especially important to master the so-called "narrative tenses": Past Continuous, Past Perfect, Past Perfect Continuous, Future in the Past, because they are used in connected texts. The final honing of these forms takes place already at the Upper-Intermediate level.

The end-of-level test includes both oral and written part. Vocabulary, grammar, listening comprehension, the ability to tell a story and write an essay in English are tested.

The term of study at the level

Learning takes 80 - 100 academic hours. Basic allowance- textbook New English File from Oxford University Press.

Courses by Intermediate level

Besides we also offer special . Since we understand the specifics of this level very well, the main activities in the lesson are aimed at overcoming the speech barrier and developing self-ownership language. There are many dialogic trainings in the classroom, students work on presentations and projects, perform written assignments: write essays, letters, reports. Education takes place exclusively in English, which develops the ability to understand speech by ear.

For greater involvement of students in the process of self-learning the language, we follow the principle of “learning through teaching” (Lernen durch Lehren): under the guidance of a teacher, students explain vocabulary and grammar to each other, tell news, and retell texts they have read on their own.

To improve learning efficiency face-to-face lessons accompanied by work in the online system Soho Bridge Online, where students can practice vocabulary and grammar for specific lessons.

Often, when applying for a job, the employer is interested in the applicant's possession foreign language and requires his knowledge at level B1. Having an Intermediate level will make it easier to pass exams and enter a university abroad. How to speak English at the Intermediate level?

What levels of English are there?

Division into levels when teaching a language:

• facilitates the recruitment of a student group whose representatives have similar competencies;
• publication of textbooks;
• development of curricula and methods;
• organization of testing and entrance examinations.

Separation is required more by teachers than by students.

Allocate:

Level group	Levels
A Novice user (basic ownership)	A1	beginner	Elementary
	A2	Elementary	Elementary
B Independent user (confident possession)	IN 1	Pre Intermediate	Below the average
	IN 1	intermediate	Average
	IN 2	Upper Intermediate	Above average
C Advanced user (fluency, high level)	C1	Advanced	Professional
	C2	Proficiency	Perfectly

Intermediate - what level is it?

The main requirement of employers is English proficiency at the Intermediate level. Allows you to travel, explore the unknown, keep in touch with the indigenous people, describe the surrounding space.

Voicing one's position, discussing general everyday and industrial topics, understanding what was said by ear are essential features of the middle stage.

Pre Intermediate

Students apply grammar rules at this level with confidence, but active vocabulary is limited.

Upon completion of the level, they master the necessary communication skills and maintain a conversation in common topics.

Upper Intermediate

At this level, students communicate easily, know in-depth grammar. The vocabulary is diverse, the transition to reading books in the original is carried out.

There is an opportunity to get an education in the West or find a job: work without close contact with clients.

Material that people with knowledge of English at the Intermediate level should know

Grammar

Students understand:

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From the course "ENGLISH BEFORE AUTOMATIC" you:

• Learn how to write good sentences in English without learning grammar
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• Download the dictionary PDF formats and MP3, learning tables and audio recording of all phrases

Vocabulary

It ranges from 2000 to 3000 lexical units. Along with general colloquial vocabulary, they study common words that are associated with communication in the business sphere. The Intermediate level is enriched with phraseological units.

Students operate phrases in context. The vocabulary is expanded due to word formation with the help of prefixes and suffixes, addition of stems and conversion. They show attention to the interpretation of semantics, bringing close and opposite words in meaning.

speaking

You can at the Intermediate level:

Reading

It is typical for you at the Intermediate level:

• understanding of adapted literature;
• unfamiliar vocabulary does not make it difficult to read articles from the World Wide Web and the media;
• there is a transition to reading books in the original.

listening

Differs at the Intermediate level:

• relatively complete understanding with direct contact and in the sound recording of what was heard;
• instant comprehension of non-adapted audio recordings, despite the ignorance of individual words, the accent of the speaker;
• the ability to distinguish the pronunciation of a native speaker from the pronunciation of a non-native speaker;
• watching TV series and films with subtitles;
• listening adapted or not very difficult original audiobooks.

Letter

You can:

• construct a sentence grammatically correct;
• sign greeting card, invitation, letter, advertisement, request;
• fill out a questionnaire, if necessary;
• describe phenomena, people and incidents, give a comment.

How do you know that you have an intermediate level of language proficiency?

A grade check means a lot in language acquisition and mainly influences the selection of a training program at the Intermediate level.

How to correctly determine the level of training so that testing determines true position affairs? There are many sites on the Internet that offer online tests to check the level. However, not everyone copes with the task of determining the language level.

The standard test involves choosing one correct answer from the proposed set. Accurate answers indicate excellent theoretical knowledge in grammar, but they are silent about your skills: writing and speaking, listening, reading. Many answer randomly.

There are tests that establish:

The first variation is considered as inferior, therefore, they turn to the second type of test.

Popular English proficiency tests:

1. British
2. American

The IELTS exam is suitable for:

• study in New Zealand and Great Britain, Ireland and Canada, Australia;
• move to these countries.

There are two main types of IELTS:

• It is used to control the level of Intermediate in the professional field. Looking to work or study abroad
• general training. Assesses language proficiency in everyday situations. Enough for immigration. Consists of:
  • Interviews with the examiner. When an appeal is filed, a recording is made on a dictaphone. Topics are varied. It is important for the inspector to hear your thoughts on this or that matter. It is important to sound and look natural. Express your ideas, use the accumulated experience or caused associations. When you find it difficult to say something about museums, think about which one you want to visit. Tell us about your attitude to art, even if it does not arouse interest.
  • Letters or essays. 2 tasks are given, where you need to describe the table or write a mini-essay on the specified topic. For General Training: writing (informal or formal), Academic - composition. When passing the written part, they clearly formulate thoughts, avoid repetitions and tautologies, consistently cover the topic. If you have problems with the first task, do not get hung up and move on to the next exercise. Competently completed task number 2 is rated higher: concentrate on its implementation. Keep in mind the required length of the task: #1 - 150 words, #2 - 100 words more. Achieving this mark will save the number of points.
  • Listening. Listen to 4 passages and answer questions. Entries are on general topics or are associated with studies. They are presented in the form of a monologue or dialogue and are the same for everyone. To pass successfully, a worksheet with tasks will help: there is a chance to quickly view and pay attention to the necessary information. In case of poor hearing, be sure to warn the staff. The control is built in such a way that points are awarded for a correct answer, however, they are not reduced for an incorrect one.
  • Readings. Tasks are given: to answer questions, to choose an unmistakable version and title of the text, to insert the necessary word forms instead of gaps.

When performing, follow the instructions exactly. Do not disregard font changes, accents, headings - perhaps they contain important information. Don't focus on every token - the questions are only relevant to certain factors. The final grade is derived from the scores of all sections: minimum - 1, maximum - 9. Usually 6-7 points is minimum result, which is required in foreign institutions from applicants.

Courses by Intermediate level

An acceptable and simple way to improve the level of the language is online learning. Self-study of the language is just right for those who do not have the opportunity to attend courses. The disadvantage of studying is the lack of speech practice for the Intermediate level. The way out is to improve the knowledge of the language with the help of interactive courses via Skype. The optimal solution to the problem is face-to-face courses.

English courses:

• English on Skype. EnTouch lessons are the acquisition of knowledge with comfort and passion.
  • Business English online. Entrepreneurship is growing rapidly. Hence the demand for this service.
  • Accelerated English. It is undeniable, but true: English is a means of international interaction and constructive agreements.
  • English with a certificate. Most of the functions of English clear the way for climbing the corporate ladder.
  • English for schoolchildren. Classes for students will be cognitive and interesting.
  • Spoken English. To have a sense of decisiveness in any verbal situation, it does not hurt to speak fluently in online lessons.
  • English for students. Foreign language is a mandatory component curriculum many specialties. Sometimes students find the subject difficult.
  • English for adults. It doesn't matter how old you are. The price is the desire to speak English. EnTouch will help you turn your dreams into reality.
  • Corporate English. In the variety of EnTouch courses, there was a place for corporate consumers.
• School of Daria Dzyuba. Business English: Intermediate (B1).
• Online courses at "Ischool of English".
• Global Link. Courses for adults and children.

Intermediate level program

Grammar Topics

• plural nouns (special cases), agreement of subject and predicate;
• article and pronouns;
• degrees of comparison of adjectives and adverbs;
• Present Indefinite and Present Progressive;
• Present Progressive with stative verbs;
• Past Indefinite and Present Perfect;
• Present Perfect and Present Perfect Progressive;
• Past Indefinite and Used+ Infinitive;
• Ways of Referring to the Future;
• Reported Speech;
• Indirect Questions and Imperatives (Suggestions/Requests/Commands);
• passive voice and the formation of species-temporal forms;
• Modal Verbs and their equivalents;
• prepositions;
• The Gerund and the Infinitive;
• The Complex Sentences;
• Different Types of Questions.

Conversational Topics

1. applying for a job;
2. At the cafe;
3. At the kitchen;
4. Books are our friends;
5. challenge and approving the goals;
6. family affairs;
7. fashion and new trends;
8. holidays abroad;
9. mass media and newspaper;
10. modern society;
11. my career;
12. my personality;
13. my point of view;
14. natural d;
15. old people;
16. social problems;
17. sport and health;
18. The place where I live;
19. the world around us;
20. The way I spend my pastime/ Parties/Hobbies/Music;
21. We are interested in our past;
22. We learn to communicate.

How will your speaking skills develop in the Intermediate course?

Intermediate-level - the pivotal period when the development of the listener progresses.

Acquired skills have distinctive features:

The term of study at the Intermediate level

In practice, the duration of training depends on the student's enthusiasm and motivation, as well as the knowledge base.

Teaching takes place systematically and is based on previously acquired skills and abilities. The educational process is characterized by intensity and speed, when the student actively owns vocabulary and grammar. Recognizing the gaps in selected topics you shouldn't be upset.

It is advisable to try to master the required material in full in order to reach the required level, and then fearlessly make the transition to new level. In the second case, it will take more effort and time to study, but in the end, the student will have a full understanding of all the language components.

The next levels are deepening and widening active dictionary and concentration on linguistic micro-details and nuances.

Books to read at the Intermediate level

The best assistants and friends for learners of the language of international communication.

List of books that are used in the educational process:

1. Nevil Shute. On the Beach / On the shore. Novel. (1957);
2. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button / The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Story (1922);
3. Mark Twain. The Prince and the Pauper/ Prince and the Pauper. historical novel;
4. Live and Let Die / Live and let die. Thriller. (2010);
5. Lewis Carroll. Alice Through the Looking Glass / Alice Through the Looking Glass. Books for children. (2013);
6. Dal road. Matilda / Matilda. Books for children;
7. Mario Puzo / The Godfather / Godfather. Fiction (1999);
8. Arthur Conan Doyle. Short stories / Short stories (2012);
9. Alexandre Duma. The Three Musketeers / Three Musketeers. Fiction;
10. Seven-Day Magic / Seven days of magic. Books for children (2004);
11. English Fairy Tales / Fairy tales Britain (2008);
12. Henry. The Gift of the Magi / Gifts of the Magi. story;
13. Romeo and Juliet / Romeo and Juliet. Tragedy (2010);
14. Treasure Island / Treasure Island. adventure novel. (2008);
15. Wilkie Collins. The Woman in White / Woman in white. Fiction.

Tutorials for the Intermediate level

1. English: service and tourism (N.E. Koroleva, E.Z. Barsetyan, A.M. Serbinovskaya);
2. A Frequency Dictionary of Russian: core vocabulary for learners. Sharoff S., Umanskaya E., Wilson J. (2013. - 400 p.). Directory;
3. Business Grammar Builder Macmillan;
4. Business Resource Book Oxford;
5. Essential English for Foreign Students (C.E. Eckersley, 2002);
6. Communicating in Business Cambridge;
7. English Result Intermediate Workbook with Key + MultiROM-E;
8. Headway Business English;
9. Language to go. Araminta Crace, Robin Wileman;
10. market leader. David Cotton, David Falvey, Simon Kent;
11. New Opportunities;
12. New Cutting Edge. Sarah Cunningham, Peter Moor;
13. Teach Business English Cambridge;
14. Tutorials " Practical course English" linguist, doctor philological sciences V. D. Arakina in 5 volumes;
15. I want and will know English. T.I. Arbekova, N.N. Vlasova, G.A. Makarova.

Movies and series for the Intermediate level

English-language films are suitable for training and practicing audiotive skills.

1. Desperate Housewives / Desperate Housewives (2006). USA. Comedy, detective, romance, drama;
2. Restless / Restless (2012). Great Britain, Germany. Romance, drama;
3. Come Sunday / Heretic (2018). USA. drama;
4. The White Princess / White Princess (2017). USA. drama;
5. The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel / The Amazing Mrs Maisel (2017). USA. Drama, comedy
6. White Collar / White Collar (2009). USA. Drama, crime, comedy
7. Paterno / Paterno (2018). USA. Drama, biography;
8. War & Peace / War and Peace (2016). Great Britain. War, romance, drama;
9. The 15:17 to Paris / Train to Paris (2018). USA. historical;
10. The Kennedys After Camelot / The Kennedys: After Camelot (2017). Canada, USA. historical, drama;
11. Peter Rabbit / Rabbit Peter (2018). Australia, USA. Cartoon, family;
12. Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell / Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell (2015). Great Britain. Fantasy;
13. Kickboxer: Retaliation / Kickboxer returns (2018). USA. Drama, thriller
14. The Lost Room / Lost room (2006). USA. Science fiction, fantasy, thriller;
15. Lost / Stay alive (2006). USA. science fiction, thriller, adventure;
16. American Gods / American Gods (2017). USA. Detective, fantasy;
17. Happy! / Happy (2017). USA. Fantasy, crime, thriller, comedy, detective;
18. McMafia / McMafia (2018). USA, Great Britain. Thriller, drama, crime;
19. Game Night / Night games (2018). USA. Thriller, comedy, detective, crime;
20. Bent / Addiction / (2018). USA, Spain. Thriller, crime.

Grammar Tutorials for Intermediate Level

1. Goldenkov M.A. street english. For the lazy, for the restless, for those who don't know English, for those who think they know. (2003. - 224 p.);
2. Ivantsov English grammar Untangled. (2012. - 123 p.);
3. Litvinov P.P. 2000 English expressions. Memory technique. (2010. - 320 p.);
4. Matveev S.A. English for the intermediate level. Level B1. (2016.– 160 pp.);
5. Tretyakov Yu.P. American English. Tutorial for adults. Advanced course. (2005. - 327 p.) + mp3;
6. Khidekel S.S., Kaul M.R., Ginzburg E.L. Difficulties in English vocabulary. (2002. - 175 s);
7. Chernikhovskaya N.O. 200 dialogues in English for all occasions. (2014. - 336 p. + mp3);
8. Chernikhovskaya N.O. Modern English words and expressions + Slang. (2013. - 496 p.) + mp3;
9. Collins Cobuild Basic Grammar / Basics English grammar(2004. - 240 p.);
10. Elaine Walker, Steve Elsworth. New edition Grammar Practice for Upper Intermediate;
11. Grammar Games Oxford;
12. Gina Caro. English Grammar from A to Z. / English for ours in 2 volumes (1998. - 265 p.);
13. Macmillan English in Context;
14. Raymond Murphy. English Grammar in Use;
15. Reward Resource Pack Macmillan.

How to level up Intermediate?

The main task when studying at the Intermediate level is to immerse yourself entirely in the English language. In addition, they pay attention to topics that are of interest and are directly related to work.

These strategies will allow you to raise the level of a foreign language in the future:

1. Apply language skills in everyday life. Change language settings in devices, gadgets, email correspondence, social media account. Make a list of cases and queries for a search engine in a foreign language, do not use translation. Sign up for a conversation club.
2. Reading in English is the best teaching. It is preferable to read publications from popular magazines or newspaper news. Are you studying or busy in the field of international relations, entrepreneurship and commerce - it's time to switch to English-language publications: The Week, or The Washington Post - can be downloaded for free on the Internet. Remember about notes, especially try to learn idioms.
3. Regularly listen to audio podcasts and watch video files, listen to audio books. Highlight the variety of English you want: Australian, British, or American.
4. Expand your vocabulary. However, not by cramming and not in large volume. Use the context to remember, group the vocabulary by thematic principle, this will allow you to learn words. Develop your imagination by making up stories with new vocabulary.
5. Improving speech skills is impossible without speaking practice, which is 80%. lesson at the Intermediate level, for this you will need either an English-speaking friend or a teacher.
6. If you love pop music, there is a reason to go with a girlfriend or friend to karaoke. You can find your favorite songs online and sing at home. Don't be modest!

Since 2001, Europe has switched to fundamentally new locale, so the classic British textbooks are now also being reprinted according to the new levels. Has anything seriously changed with the introduction of levels? No, but strict classification put an end to heterogeneous self-made divisions into groups in language schools. And the trend was obvious - firstly, to create more levels than necessary (this is to take more money), and secondly, to overestimate your level for self-esteem. This is when A2 was given out as an intermediate level of English, which can only be called an average, given its position between levels A1 and B1.

In total, there are 6 new standards for language proficiency (well, or 7 - if you take into account zero). So, language is not one, but two levels in terms of modern classification- B1 and B2. People who own it to this degree are also called Independent Users, in particular, those who occupy column B2 in the classification deserve this title. And in new system it is recommended to move away from the old name "intermediate-level of English" and either call B1 and B2 Lower and Upper Intermediate, respectively, or even use other, very specific terms - Threshold and Vantage levels. In other words, the old terms won't help you navigate the modern sea of ​​textbooks.

Knowledge of English at intermediate level, if Language school I did not deceive you, most likely corresponds to level B1. What does this mean practically? A person understands clearly spoken speech well, when the vocabulary refers to frequently used or related to it. professional activity. Can cope with almost any situation that arises when it is necessary to travel around the country of the language being studied (hence the term "independent", as we talked about above). Can deliver a coherent speech on topics related to work or personal interests. Briefly justify your opinion, state the evidence or plan of action. That is, the intermediate level of English, even on the lowest column, is a good

How is a person described as a B2 user? He understands more wide circle texts, capable of perceiving the main ideas of even complex scientific texts, while B1 is the level for everyday interaction. The speech is fluent, with a lot of spontaneity, which makes conversations with native speakers devoid of tension for both parties.

Able to create a clear and detailed text on a large number of topics, not only work and household. Able to clearly state advantages and disadvantages different kind opinions. Such a user of the language is rightfully called independent. Level B2 allows you to start studying at the university level Occurs among the brightest graduates of the strongest specialized schools or among graduates of good ones language universities.

These two levels are intermediate, there are two more above - C1 and C2, and everyone who already has an intermediate level of English should strive for them. After all, higher categories provide an opportunity for professional immigration or work on expensive language courses for English teachers. In general, the C1 level is average for good students and excellent students of language universities. But not all carriers manage to get C2.

Intermediate level (or intermediate level) is the average, threshold level of English proficiency. In the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages ​​(), he is assigned the letter B. This level is between A (beginner and pre-threshold) and C (advanced, native speaker level). The intermediate level, in turn, is divided into B1 (threshold level) and B2 (advanced threshold level). In this article, we will take a detailed look at how to overcome the Intermediate level and start communicating in English without any restrictions.

Content:

Possession of the intermediate level (intermediate) involves that the student understands the content of English-language texts of general or specialized subjects, may long time communicate with a native speaker on various topics, is able to reasonably express his opinion on various issues. The vocabulary includes about 3000 words.

Having achieved the intermediate level (intermediate), many stop in training. Indeed, this knowledge is sufficient for everyday communication, for reading books, watching films in English and traveling. However, if you want to go further, become fluent in English, move to an English-speaking country for a long time, get rid of your accent and match the level of native speakers, you still have a lot of work to do.

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Breaking through the intermediate level requires a change in your thinking and teaching methods. Fortunately, this also means a consistent transition to more interesting ways learning.

How to overcome the Intermediate level

Immerse yourself in the language environment

It is not necessary to move to an English-speaking country to immerse yourself in the language environment. The materials needed for this (video, television, audio, books, music, etc.) are available anywhere with an internet connection. Create your own English environment by continuing to do everything you do using only English. For starters, use Google, not Yandex, and always in English. Change the language of all your devices (phone, tablet, computer) to "english". Read books and news in English, read Wikipedia articles in it. It is not worth adding that all English-language films, series, TV shows must also be watched in the original.

At the intermediate level, your goal is the advanced level, and in order to reach it, English should be in your daily life as much as possible.

Focus on context while mastering grammar

Surely you used to put off for later difficult sections of grammar that are almost never used in colloquial speech. It's time to deal with them once and for all. Because in order to move forward, you must learn to intuitively follow the rules of grammar, without thinking every time what tense to use or what preposition to use. Read more and listen grammatically correct speech so that these rules are deposited in your memory. Memorizing the rules will help you make sense of the grammar, but it can only be understood and remembered through practice. Do not learn words separately, but learn them in the context of specific phrases and sentences, which in turn form the context of long and short meaningful texts.

Work on your pronunciation

At the intermediate level, it is no longer enough that native speakers simply understand you. “Understanding” you, they still make allowances for the fact that English is not your native language, forgive mistakes and speak as simply as possible. Your goal at this level is to speak in such a way that the English-speaking interlocutor perceives you as an equal. To do this, it is very important to get rid of the Russian accent. Special attention give the letter r and the combination of letters th. They are the most difficult for Russian-speaking students.

The key to perfect pronunciation lies in three steps. The first is theory: you will learn how sounds are pronounced and how they combine with each other. The second is constant practice: you talk as much as possible, trying to get as close to perfect pronunciation as possible. The third - Feedback: you ask native speakers for their opinion on your pronunciation, ask them to point out gaps in it, and work out together how they can be dealt with.

Enjoy

Enjoy the process - important condition successful learning of a foreign language. If you can still get to the intermediate level with the help of cramming, doing exercises and memorizing vocabulary, then in order to overcome it, this will no longer be enough. Without interest, even an obsession with English, you will never reach advanced level unless you live in English speaking country, certainly.

Reward yourself for good results, reward yourself for every big and small success, brag about them to friends and family. Let the English language become your favorite thing, and not just another subject studied. Well, if it is connected with some of your hobbies. For example, if you are a fan of American hip-hop and good old English rock, imagine how cool it is to understand all the lyrics of your idols.

Intermediate text parsing video: