Reaching an advanced level in English can seem like a dreadful process. For some people, becoming an advanced English speaker is more complicated than going from beginner to intermediate. But fret no!
There are many ways to take your English level to the next level by changing the things you do on a daily basis. It has nothing to do with long and tedious hours doing grammar exercises.
You can adapt your routine to reach your goal faster with small but clever changes. If you want to live in an English-speaking country or if you already do, reaching an advanced level of English can help you have a better overall experience.
You will be able to integrate better, understand what happens in your surroundings, communicate confidently, make friends, and have a blast!
Let’s take a closer look at some tips to learn advanced English!
Table of Contents
Set yourself a goal with a deadline
Sometimes, we tend to work without a clear goal in mind. When this happens, it is easy to procrastinate and drift away from the things that make us improve. However, setting a goal can provide clarity.
Have you ever tried to get to an address without actually knowing where you are headed? Chances are, you are going to have a harder time finding it!
When you set a goal, you already know the path you want to follow with your English learning. If you also set a deadline, then all of your actions will work towards achieving the goal in the timeframe you decided.
For some people, the goal is to be fluent enough to study or work in an English-learning country. If this is your case, then put a date to it!
“In six months, I will be fluent in English.”
“Next year, I will move to the US to study.”
Give it a try, and you'll see how this strategy can help boost your determination.
Make learning English part of your daily routine
As you read before, learning English is not about working with a textbook for a certain period of time. English is part of our lives, and you can make the most of it! With the correct mindset, you can turn many regular situations into English learning opportunities.
Nowadays, most of the content we consume is in English. YouTube videos, series, movies, the news, social media, and the list goes on! Each piece of content that you consume in English instead of your mother tongue can help you get closer to your objective. The best part? There’s no effort in it!
Moreover, if you have English-speaking friends, you can text them in English and practice social interactions too. The opportunities are yours to take, and as you can see, it has nothing to do with setting a rigid and painful learning schedule!
Watch your favorite YouTubers, series, and movies in English, and you will see your English level increase without breaking a sweat.
Don’t worry about not understanding everything
Do you feel you know all the words in your mother tongue? That would be an outstanding accomplishment! But normally, it is not the case. So why make a big deal out of the fact that you don’t understand some words in English?
It is completely normal to have doubts or to simply not know a word when you hear it in a movie, song, or series. It doesn’t mean you don’t understand the context and everything else happening around it.
Cut yourself some slack and understand that getting in contact with the language, even if you don’t understand everything, will help you improve! Your vocabulary and pronunciation will benefit a lot from this exposure.
If you happen to hear a word repeatedly and it sparks your curiosity to look for it, even better! Great learners are curious and have a lust for knowledge. Just try not to obsess about not understanding some things!
Focus on one textbook or one tutor
There’s a possibility that, in order to move faster, you felt the need to look for different tutors and different textbooks. However, this could play against you.
Consuming more information is not necessarily positive when it comes to following a plan. Imagine you are trying to go hiking, and instead of having one guide, you have ten.
Each and every one of the guides knows how to get to the top. But all of them use different paths. Who do you follow? Do you listen to one piece of advice or the other? Wouldn’t it be better to choose a path and stick with it?
The same happens when you try to get information from too many sources. It can be overwhelming and cause more stress. Better focus on a textbook you enjoy or attend weekly lessons with a tutor that works for you.
Your attention will be laser-focused!
Talk to yourself in English
One of the best ways to improve your English level is to have conversations. So why restrict that to the moments when you are around other English-speaking people? Start talking to yourself!
This is a great tip to feel more comfortable speaking the language out loud. Sometimes, we think that we have a good mastery of the language and feel comfortable in our minds. However, when we speak out loud, everything vanishes.
The truth is that there are muscles that need to be trained in order to produce the sounds correctly. Moreover, if you create common situations in your mind and act them out by speaking out loud, you can be ready when something similar actually happens!
When you do this technique, try to correctly pronounce every word. This will give you a confidence boost. You can also talk in front of a mirror to check how your mouth moves. By doing this, you will also improve your pronunciation.
Don’t focus on your accent before you master the basics
Sometimes, students get caught up in trying to pronounce English exactly like a native speaker. However, this shouldn’t be your main focus at the beginning.
Even though sounding like a native speaker will come in handy at some point. Your focus should be placed on being able to communicate effectively and transmit a message. Perfecting your accent will come with time.
Focus on mastering common phrases, expressions, and verbs, and also widening your vocabulary. That way, you will be able to start having conversations that will speed up your learning process!
Worry about correct pronunciation instead of nailing a specific accent. Having an accent just means that you speak more than one language, and it is a beautiful thing to be proud of!
Using social media to learn English is one of the best ways to include the language in your daily life. Nowadays, we spent most of our day scrolling on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok. Why not put it to good use?
If you start following English-speaking influencers you like, you will learn whilst having a good time. Moreover, there are many great English teachers creating free content for students on social media.
In today’s world, you can learn almost anything online! Give it a try and make the most out of it.
Be patient
The problem with progress when learning a language is that you don’t see it right away. It is like training at the gym. You have to be constant and go for some time before you can start seeing the results.
Some people get upset when they don’t see immediate results after a week or two of making an effort. Try to be patient and understand there’s a learning curve you need to go through.
Your listening will improve over time if you are constant with your series, videos, and podcasts. Your reading will become smoother as you continue consuming content in English. Your speaking will be more fluent as you continue talking in English.
Be patient and you will see the results when the time is right.
Wrapping Up
Becoming an advanced English speaker has nothing to do with fancy books or long hours with a teacher. It is more about determination and tailoring your life to accompany your goal!
If you want to skyrocket your English level, start including the language in your life at every possible opportunity. You will master English in no time!