11 Strategies For Achieving and Maintaining a B2 to C2 Level of English

 

As an Advanced Level English Teacher, one of the most common questions that I am asked by students is how to maintain, and/or improve their level of proficiency in the language.

Today, more than at any other period in history, a single language has solidified itself into a position of undeniable relevance in our ever-changing globalized world. Be it for matters relating to government, commerce, education, or for the resolution of global issues, English has taken the lead in almost every facet of life and international affairs.

This phenomenon, which has developed progressively over many years, has been responsible for a transformation in the way that English as a second language is now perceived in most parts of the world. Governments have found the necessity to embrace English on all levels, schools have attached new importance to its teaching, new institutes continue to spring up on almost a daily basis and universities are now making it a mandatory part of a student's graduation.

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Today, it is impossible for almost anybody, from any vocation, to be a true professional without a sufficient level of English, a fact that has rocketed English from being a subject that traditionally languished in obscurity, to being one of the most important subjects in the world today. With this newfound level of importance has come long-overdue respect and acknowledgment of the skills of English teachers and the integral part that they play in the educational environment of the 21st century.

But, with this heightened degree of respect and acknowledgment has come a new level of professional scrutiny, especially when it relates to a teacher's level of proficiency in the language. In the majority of cases, governments, and all varieties of educational institutions, are now requiring teachers to have a current international exam certification as a way to verify their level of English.

These new-found requirements are causing many problems within countless English teaching communities all around the world. Generally speaking, in many countries, the changes have come on quickly, and have often been planned, and implements in an ill-thought-out, Adhoc fashion which has placed enormous stress upon teachers, who previously to this, in many cases, had not been required to maintain any specific level of English, let alone verify it.

For many teachers, their personal level of English has declined due to the basic levels of English that they are often employed to teach, a reality that prevents them from being exposed to situations that allows them to practice, and subsequently maintain the level of English that they had initially learned in university. In addition to this, in the past, many traditional university language programs prepared English teachers to a mere B1 level, whereas today they are being asked to present certificates of verification for a B2 level, or above if they wish to maintain their positions.

It is for this reason that today, it is essential for English teachers to not only maintain the level of English that they presently have but to continue to improve their level as a way to verify their professional credentials.

Now, there are many ways for teachers to maintain and improve their level of proficiency in English. The most obvious ways are those which are the most often suggested, be it to undertake additional studies in a language institute, find some native speakers to talk to or to listen to music, etc, all of which often prove to be ineffective for one reason or another.

Below, I would like to put forward some of the ideas which I have traditionally given to teachers as a way to overcome these problems.

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1. AUTONOMOUS STUDY.
Generally speaking, when teachers try to improve their level of English autonomously, they fail. They always seem to find excuses as to why they are too busy, or they lack the discipline needed to just sit down and do it. If you are going to study alone, the first, and most important thing to do is to establish an unbreakable schedule for daily study. Make your study time as important as going to work, going to the gym, going to the supermarket, etc. Stop making excuses and study.

2. STUDYING IN A GROUP.
If possible, try to establish a study group with other teachers who are in the same boat as you. If you are unable to set up a group from within your own closely associated peer community, teachers in most countries have social media pages where you could place an advertisement seeking other teachers in your área who would benefit from studying in this manner. As the expression goes, “There is strength in numbers” and you will have a greater chance for success when you have the discipline of studying in a group.

3. UTILIZING WEBSITES.
Search the internet for a selection of websites that you feel would help you to improve your level of English. Next, set up a Schedule where for one hour, two or three times per week, you visit these sites and practice your skills. Be disciplined about this, find a private, quiet place where you can study alone, and just do it.

4. WRITING
The best way to improve, or maintain a specific level of English is through the regular production of the language. Writing, as with speaking, is one of the primary forms of direct communication, not to mention an excellent way to practice your English in general. On the internet, there are many websites dedicated to improving the skills of amateur writers. These websites allow writers to upload their stories, or poems, into private accounts that they have previously created. Once uploaded, they become available for all of the members of the website to read and to make constructive comments on. Both my advanced level students and the English teachers that I have taught have found these sites to be an excellent forum for displaying their writing skills whilst at the same time receiving positive feedback. Examples of suitable websites are:
https://www.amateurwriting.net/
http://www.amateur-writing.com/

5. ONLINE CROSSWORD PUZZLES.
Crossword puzzles offer participants a uniquely challenging and enjoyable way to practice and improve their reading, vocabulary, and comprehension skills. Today, many websites offer a huge selection of crossword puzzles that are based upon a variety of subjects and with varying degrees of difficulty from basic to advanced. Apart from sites dedicated specifically to EFL and ESL students, there are also many sites specifically for native speakers which are perfect for challenging the skills of teachers and advanced level students. Examples of suitable websites are:
http://www.onlinecrosswords.net/printable-daily-crosswords.php
http://bogglesworldesl.com/crosswords.htm

6. REWRITING CARTOONS.
One activity that I particularly love doing is rewriting cartoons. In Google images, search for different cartoons, white-out the dialogue, and then rewrite it using your own words. This activity is perfect for reviewing general or specific vocabulary as well as for phrasal verbs and idioms. When searching for cartoon strips, look for series that consists of various scenes that will allow you to créate a complete story. Examples of suitable websites are:
http://peanuts.wikia.com/wiki/August_1959_comic_strips
http://www.weeklystorybook.com/comic_strip_of_the_daycom/art/page/14/

7. LISTENING AND READING
Rather than just listening to music or the generic audios in a book, expose yourself to authentic English content through websites such as www.npr.com and www.ted.com where you are able to both listen and read the dialogue at the same time. This is an excellent way to practice two of the most important skills simultaneously.

8. WATCHING DOCUMENTARIES
Another excellent way to practice your advanced level listening skills is by watching documentaries on Youtube, cable TV, or sites such as Netflix. Many teachers comment that documentaries are too hard to follow, or that they are even boring and tedious. Well, apart from the fact that documentaries are extremely interesting and educational if you choose a subject that you can relate to, then they expose the viewer to a level of English which is perfect for developing and maintaining a higher level of proficiency. Remember, the more you listen, the more you will hear and ultimately understand. Practice makes perfect.

9. READING EXPANSION
For some unknown reason, many people believe that reading is solely a single skilled activity. This is only true if you want it to be true. Reading gives learners the opportunity to expand and learn in so many different manners. Reading is the basis for the majority of the education systems in English-speaking countries due to the benefits students receive through the principles of secondary methods of retention by means of subliminal learning. Whilst reading, the brain automatically learns grammatical structure, common expressions, and context, something that is almost impossible to replicate as effectively through any other method. So, apart from just reading a book, how can we expand reading as a way to enhance the overall learning experience that we receive?
(a) Create a memory system. Whilst Reading, take note of all of the new vocabulary that you encounter. At the end of each chapter, or activity, in a large notebook, write the word, the word form, it’s meaning, and then two or three sentences using the context of the original story. Then, write a review of the chapter, or passage, using where possible, as many of the new vocabularies as you can.
(b)Create a video review using your cell phone. Using some of the vocabulary from the memory system, plan, and record a video review for each chapter or activity. This is a perfect activity for self or peer-evaluation of your speaking skills.
(c) Create a crossword. There are excellent websites such as Discovery Education ( http://www.discoveryeducation.com/ ) where you are able to créate customized puzzles such as crosswords or word searches. At the end of each chapter, or activity, créate a crossword puzzle using the vocabulary from your memory system. It is also imperative to have a suitable dictionary that will provide you with accurate clues whilst creating the crossword puzzle. Then, at a later date, say at least 1 or 2 weeks down the track, take out the crossword puzzle and complete it as a secondary form of vocabulary revision.

10. PLAY GOOGLE TRIVIAL PURSUIT.
On the internet, there are many websites dedicated to cataloging trivial questions such as www. http://trivia.fyi/ . Choose a suitable website, and then using Google, search for the answer to the questions. This is an excellent activity for improving your reading and investigation skills in a fun and challenging way.

11. READING ALOUD.
Whenever you read, where possible, read aloud. Reading aloud provides many benefits such as:
(a) It is enjoyable.
(b) It provides a tangible connection between the written and the spoken Word.
(c) Improves cognitive skills by exposing the reader to new vocabulary.
(d) It creates an environment of heightened comprehension through the combination of multiple skills.

Well, I hope that you find these ideas to be a little more interesting than the normal suggestions we generally read about for improving or maintaining our level of English. Remember to be creative in how you approach your personal studies, set realistic goals, and then be dedicated to achieving them, set appropriate study schedules and make sure that you stick to them, and most of all, enjoy it and have fun.

Don't look at it as a chore, or hard work.

Good luck.

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