In this post, I’m going to show you the strategies you can use to keep improving your English skills if you are an intermediate or advanced learner.
As an intermediate or advanced learner, you may find yourself struggling to make further progress. However, by implementing the right strategies based on your personality, personal circumstances, and interests, you can break through these barriers and continue to improve your English skills.
I used the strategies I’m about to share with you to keep increasing my vocabulary even after getting to an Advanced level.
1. Immerse yourself in authentic English content
One of the most effective strategies I’ve found for improving my English skills is to immerse myself in authentic English content.
By authentic content, I mean materials created for native English speakers, not just textbooks or resources specifically designed for language learners. This means consuming media such as books, podcasts, movies, and TV shows in English.
By exposing yourself to native speakers and real-life language usage, you’ll naturally absorb new vocabulary, grammatical structures, and idiomatic expressions. Make it a habit to dedicate a portion of your day to immersing yourself in English content that interests you.
Here are some of the resources I recommend:
Reading:
- Readingify (website): A platform for English learners who like reading. It offers a vast library of books, articles, and stories across various genres and difficulty levels. It provides word meanings and pronunciations right within the text, making it easy to understand and learn new vocabulary in context.
- Goodreads (website and app): Allows users to find and review English books based on their interests and reading level.
- Kindle (app): Offers a wide selection of English e-books, along with built-in dictionaries and vocabulary builders.
- Online articles and blogs on websites like Medium, BBC News, or Wired.
- Newspapers and magazines like The New York Times, The Guardian, The Economist, or National Geographic.
Listening:
- Spotify and Apple Podcasts (apps): Offer a vast library of podcasts in English, catering to different interests and levels.
- BBC Sounds (website): Provides podcasts, music, and radio programs you can listen live.
- TED Talks (website and app): Features engaging talks by experts on various subjects, with subtitles and transcripts available.
- Audible and LibriVox (websites): Platforms for finding audiobooks.
Watching Videos:
- YouTube (website and app): Hosts a wide range of content in English, including educational videos, vlogs, and entertainment.
- Recommended YouTube channels: “Crash Course“, “Vox“, “Kurzgesagt – In a Nutshell“, or “The School of Life“.
- Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video (websites and apps): Offer a variety of English movies and TV shows, often with subtitles and audio options.
- TED-Ed (website and app): Provides animated educational videos on various topics, with subtitles and quizzes.
- News channels such as CNN, BBC World News, or Al Jazeera English.
Tip: Listen to podcasts or audiobooks during your daily commute or while doing household chores.
Remember to choose content that aligns with your interests and language level to maintain motivation and ensure you can follow along comfortably while still challenging yourself to learn new vocabulary and structures.
2. Practice active listening and speaking
Active listening and speaking are crucial skills for advancing your English proficiency. When listening to English content, focus on understanding the main ideas, tone, and context. Take notes, pause and replay sections if needed, and try to summarize what you’ve heard.
When talking to someone, give them your full attention. Avoid distractions like looking at your phone or letting your mind wander. Maintain eye contact and show genuine interest in what they’re saying.
After someone finishes speaking, try to paraphrase or summarize what they said in your own words. This not only confirms your understanding but also allows you to practice your speaking skills.
Don’t be afraid to ask for clarification or more information when needed. Asking relevant questions demonstrates your engagement and helps you better understand the content.
Recommended resources:
- ELSA Speak: ELSA Speak is an AI-powered app that focuses on improving English pronunciation and fluency. It provides interactive exercises and real-time feedback to help learners identify and correct their mistakes.
- TED Talks: TED Talks offer a wide range of engaging and informative speeches on various topics. You can practice active listening by watching these talks, taking notes, and summarizing the main points.
- Meetup: Meetup is a platform that allows people to create and join groups based on shared interests. Many cities have English conversation groups where learners can practice speaking with native speakers and other learners in a casual setting.
- Tandem or HelloTalk: Tandem and HelloTalk are language exchange apps that connect learners with native speakers of their target language. Learners can practice speaking and listening through video and audio calls, as well as text chats.
- Toastmasters International: Toastmasters is an organization that focuses on developing public speaking and leadership skills. While it’s not specifically designed for English learners, it provides an excellent platform for practicing speaking in front of an audience and receiving constructive feedback.
Tip: Use your smartphone or computer to record yourself speaking English. This allows you to listen back and identify areas for improvement, such as pronunciation, intonation, or grammar.
3. Write regularly and seek feedback
Writing is one of the most effective ways to consolidate your English knowledge. Through writing, you can experiment with new words and phrases, and develop your ability to express yourself clearly and coherently in English.
Set aside time each day to write in English, whether it’s journaling, writing essays, or even composing emails. Focus on organizing your ideas, using appropriate vocabulary, and maintaining proper grammar and punctuation.
To further improve, seek feedback from native speakers, language tutors, or online language communities. Constructive criticism will help you identify areas for improvement and refine your writing skills.
Recommended resources:
- Write & Improve: Developed by Cambridge English, this website provides an online tool for practicing writing.
- Grammarly: While not exclusively for English learners, Grammarly is a helpful tool for checking grammar, spelling, and punctuation in written work.
- Reddit: Subreddits like r/EnglishLearning and r/WriteStreakEN offer communities where learners can practice writing and receive feedback from other users.
- Journaly: Journaly is a writing practice app that provides daily writing prompts and allows users to receive feedback from the community.
Tip: Find a writing partner or join an online community where you can share your work and receive feedback.
The key to improving your writing skills is consistency and a willingness to learn from others. By writing regularly and seeking feedback, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a more confident and proficient English writer.
4. Expand your vocabulary through context and repetition
Expanding vocabulary through context and repetition has been a game-changer for me in my English learning journey. When I encounter a new word while reading or listening to content, I make a conscious effort to understand its meaning based on the context in which it appears.
Instead of merely memorizing word lists, focus on learning new words in context. This helps you create a meaningful connection with the word, making it easier to remember and use in the future.
Repetition is key to solidifying new vocabulary in your memory. Make it a point to review your vocabulary list regularly and actively use the words in your own speaking and writing. This helps you internalize the words and make them a part of your active vocabulary.
Recommended resources:
- Readingify: Readingify is a platform that allows you to read various texts and click on words to see their translations or definitions. It keeps track of your known and new words, helping you monitor your progress. With a wide range of reading materials available, Readingify provides an immersive learning experience where you can encounter new words in context and reinforce your vocabulary through repetition.
- Vocabulary.com: Vocabulary.com is a website and app that offers a personalized learning experience. It presents words in context through example sentences.
- Anki: Anki is a powerful flashcard app that utilizes spaced repetition to help you memorize new words effectively. While it’s not specifically designed for learning words in context, you can create your own flashcards with example sentences or phrases to provide context.
- Quizlet: Quizlet is another popular flashcard app that allows you to create your own sets or browse through user-created sets. You can add context to your flashcards by including example sentences or definitions.
- Memrise: Memrise is a language learning platform that combines flashcards with mnemonic techniques to help you memorize new words effectively.
- Clozemaster: Clozemaster is a unique language-learning app that focuses on teaching words in context through fill-in-the-blank exercises. It presents sentences with missing words, and you have to select the correct word from the options provided.
- Readlang: Readlang is a web-based tool that allows you to import articles or web pages and click on words to see their translations.
Tip: Engage with a variety of English texts, such as books, articles, and blogs, that align with your interests.
5. Engage in language exchange and find study partners
Collaborating with others can greatly enhance your English learning experience. Not only does this provide an opportunity to practice speaking and listening in a real-world context, but it also exposes you to different accents, idioms, and cultural perspectives.
Find a language exchange partner, either locally or online, and regularly engage in conversations. Practice speaking and listening, and provide each other with feedback and support.
You could consider joining study groups or online communities of English learners where you can share resources, discuss challenges, and motivate one another.
Recommended resources:
- HelloTalk (app): HelloTalk is a language exchange app that allows users to connect with native speakers of their target language. It offers features like text and voice messaging, video calls, and language correction tools.
- Tandem (app): Tandem is another language exchange app that helps users find language partners based on their interests and language goals.
- Meetup (website and app): While not exclusively for language learning, Meetup is a platform that allows users to find and join local groups based on their interests, including language exchange and study groups.
- iTalki (website and app): iTalki is a popular platform that connects language learners with native speakers for one-on-one lessons and language exchange.
- Speaky (website and app): Speaky is a social language learning platform that enables users to practice speaking with native speakers through video and audio calls.
- Language Exchange Subreddit (website): Reddit has a subreddit called “Language Exchange” (r/language_exchange) where users can find language partners and participate in discussions related to language learning.
- Ometv (website and app): Ometv is a video chat platform that allows you to connect with people from around the world. While it is not specifically designed for language exchange, it can be a useful tool for practicing your English conversation skills with native speakers.
Tip: Before each session, prepare a list of topics or questions you’d like to discuss. Having a plan helps keep the conversation flowing and ensures you’re making the most of your time together.
By finding a reliable language exchange partner, you’ll notice a significant improvement in your English fluency, vocabulary, and confidence. The real-world practice is invaluable in helping you take your language skills to the next level.