How to Master Successfully Any Language of the World 24
At this level you expand significantly your vocabulary, acquire reading and writing skills,
drill speaking, listening, and express yourself correctly on much more issues.
Main Targets for This Level
B2:
Speaking/Listening: CAN follow or give a talk on a familiar topic or keep up a
conversation on a fairly wide range of topics.
Reading: CAN scan texts for relevant information, and understand detailed instructions or
advice.
Writing: CAN make notes while someone is talking or write a letter including non-
standard requests.
B1:
Speaking/Listening: CAN express opinions on abstract/cultural matters in a limited way
or offer advice within a known area, and understand instructions or public
announcements.
Reading: CAN understand routine information and articles, and the general meaning of
non-routine information within a familiar area.
Writing: CAN write letters or make notes on familiar or predictable matters.
Words: 1200 (i.e. Chinese) – 4000 (i.e. German) – Depends on the language.
Grammar: Proper usage of the words, their forms and their connections with other words
Cultural: Insight into the history and geography of the target country, rituals and
important dates celebrated or observed in the society, the most popular songs and stories.
Words and Grammar – Build Up Your Vocabulary, Use a Dictionary
This is the level, where the main target is expanding your vocabulary and using the words
correctly. Proper dictionary use is a must. A simple dictionary will not be enough any
longer. A bilingual dictionary is still preferable. NEVER try to guess the meaning of a
word from its context! In some RARE cases you may succeed, but in most cases you will
remain unsure about it and you will end up hardly using this word in your speech. A
much more ridiculous situation will occur, if you guess the meaning incorrectly and start
using the word that way, odd for a native speaker. This may definitely bring you into
unpleasant situations, the least of which is that you will be sneered at.
There’s no place for guesses in language learning! If in smallest doubt, look it up in
a dictionary.
What concerns the grammar, the main point at this level is to use correct words, correct
word forms and build up correct phrases with them. You have learnt to build up sentences
Copyright © 2012 Dmitry Slomov. All rights reserved.
Dmitry Slomov is a language learning consultant, a tutor and the author of the Russian Language Course – Lessons with Dmitry
Contact Dmitry at: http://www.courseofrussian.com/en/contact.html
