Mastering English: How Long To Become Fluent?
It goes without saying that learning a new language has numerous benefits. It improves memory and problem-solving skills, broadens communication and cultural experiences, and increases job opportunities.
Fortunately, you don’t have to learn all languages to be able to build relationships with anyone from anywhere. Everyone can meet halfway and learn the world’s lingua franca – English.
English has become the primary language of global businesses, diplomacy, international relations, academic research, and many other environments. So, becoming fluent in English has never been so important.
Although understanding and speaking English requires a lot of effort, the way we learn plays a significant role in the process and directly affects the time it takes to reach fluency.
4 factors affecting the language learning process
Along with the method, many other factors may affect the language learning process, speeding it up or making it slower:
Age
Younger people can learn a new language more effortlessly and faster than older adults. Still, this doesn’t necessarily mean that age affects the learning process.
There’s growing evidence in psycholinguistics and neuroscience that individual learner differences outweigh the age factor and that the brain preserves a large part of its plasticity, making it possible to acquire a new language effectively, even at an older age.
Learning style
Learning styles vary enormously between people. Some may retain visual information better, while others prefer to read or listen. So, a tailored learning journey can enhance understanding, speeding up the process.
Motivation
Obviously, it’s harder to accomplish something or reach a goal if you don’t feel motivated. It’s crucial to recognize why you’re studying English and the benefits you’ll take from it.
So, the best way to keep up motivation is to identify your main goals and the target timeframe to meet them. Only after outlining realistic targets will you be able to keep up the momentum, as you’ll have a clear and achievable roadmap to follow.
Understanding the different language proficiency levels
The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) is a prestigious framework that standardizes language proficiency levels. It’s used to assess someone’s language skills across different European languages.
The framework divides proficiency into six levels – A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2 – from basic to proficient.
A levels: basic
The A level is divided into A1 for beginners and A2 for elementary students. To be considered an A1 level student, you need to be able to understand and use simple expressions and everyday phrases, as well as introduce yourself and give personal details.
A2 level learners can talk about simple routine tasks, provide information about their background, and communicate immediate needs.
B levels: independent
B1 individuals are intermediate students who can understand familiar topics about work, school, and travel, as well as describe experiences, ambitions, opinions, and plans.
B2 learners, on the other hand, are classed as upper-intermediate and can understand the main ideas of complex texts, interact spontaneously with others, and write clearly explaining a point of view on a specific topic.
C levels: proficient
C levels indicate a high degree of competence in a language. C1 individuals are considered advanced and can understand and produce long and detailed texts, grasp implicit meanings, and express themselves fluently without an apparent search for expressions.
C2 is the highest level, and to reach it, people must be proficient and have near-native or native-like competencies. They understand almost everything they read or hear and can express themselves precisely and effortlessly, even when covering complex topics.
Estimated timelines to reach english fluency
Although reaching English fluency depends on each person’s dedication and effort, some estimated timelines for each level of proficiency are:
However, considering that many factors affect language acquisition, slowing or accelerating progress, having an effective language learning strategy is the key to becoming fluent faster.
4 effective strategies to learn english
There’s no way to achieve English fluency without setting up strategies. As effective English learning strategies can vary from person to person, it’s vital to dedicate some time to choosing the appropriate ones for you. Some of them are:
Taking a reliable course
Turning to a formal English Language course relieves you of the pressure of planning learning methodologies and searching for resources – you can just focus solely on learning.
As the English language learning industry has grown, it’s important to carefully search for a reliable course to support your studies and help you reach fluency.
Among the most prestigious is British Council English Online, a platform accessible to anyone wanting to improve their English comprehension, speaking, and writing skills. The platform provides private and group classes, webinars, and activities that cover all levels, from A1 to C1.
Keep in mind that there are ways to save money when enrolling in the British Council English Online course, including seasonal discounts. It’s even possible to try out some of its resources before committing long-term.
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Classes
Progress
Language immersion
The best way to immerse yourself in the language is to live in an English-speaking country. However, there are other ways to surround yourself with the language if changing the environment isn’t possible.
Watch movies, listen to music and podcasts, change your phone’s default language, play games, and read books. Doing all these everyday activities in English increases your exposure to the language, expands your vocabulary, and improves your listening and comprehension skills.
Joining language exchange programs
Practice makes perfect, so engaging with other learners or native speakers in a group setting can work wonders for your confidence. A language exchange program, where the setting provides valuable feedback and support, is a brilliant place to start.
The trick is to not be afraid to speak and allow yourself to make mistakes. Only then can you learn from your errors and build your way up to fluency.
Take placement tests along the way
During your learning journey, it’s essential to understand where your current knowledge stands. Knowing which skills you already have makes it easier to set goals for the areas you still need to work on and build an effective learning plan.
Those who need to study for a placement test like the IELTS for career opportunities or academic purposes can count on the British Council IELTS Coach.
The platform is designed to improve your English skills, teach you about the test, and fully prepare you for it. It offers private and group lessons, webinars, activities, and mock tests. There are discounts of up to 15%, and you can also create a free account to learn about the platform’s resources before committing.
Set realistic expectations
No matter which strategy or learning style you choose, the road to fluency is still a long one. So, having realistic expectations is important to keep your motivation up and trust the process.
When defining the weekly hours you’re going to dedicate to your studies, be honest with yourself and adapt your learning schedule to your own reality according to your daily routine.
Plus, remember that consistency and perseverance are indispensable factors for continuous improvement. Moreover, always celebrate every step forward in your journey.
Trust the process
All in all, personal effort and effective strategies are essential to reach English fluency. Language learning isn’t static, so a variation of resources are needed to truly enrich the process.
Since the journey is as important as the destination, take advantage of a prestigious learning platform like the British Council English Online to help you in the mission. It provides diverse resources designed to guide you from A1 to C1 with confidence.
Plus, remember to set realistic expectations, embrace the journey, and celebrate every milestone along the way. With perseverance, consistency, and the support of reliable language learning apps and courses, fluency in English becomes not just a goal, but a tangible reality.
Finally, keep in mind that learning English or any other language isn’t easy. Still, with dedication and the right strategies, anyone can do it. In the end, all the effort pays off, as English fluency undeniably unlocks a world of possibilities.
Rayssa G.
Mary P.
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