B2 or Upper-Intermediate: what you need to know for this level and which textbooks will help

If you ask why people learn English, most people give about the same answers. Most often it is the desire to communicate more or less fluently, to watch movies and read books in the original language. To achieve this goal, you don't need to be a native English speaker. You can start with upper-intermediate.

In this article, we will look at what you need to know for English B2: how to identify the key skills to emphasize, which materials and methods to choose with Dinternal Education, and how to stay motivated along the way. Regardless of your level of proficiency, these tips will help you move closer to fluency in English and use it confidently in everyday life.

English B2: What you need to know by standard

At B2 level, students already have a good command of the language. They can converse on everyday topics and use the language in their profession. At this level, learners already understand non-adapted material, such as being able to watch a movie without subtitles.

Pedagogical experts believe that it is from the Upper-Intermediate level that active unconscious language acquisition begins. That is, a person easily understands the meaning of unfamiliar words from the context and builds them into the system of previously studied constructions.

If you want to pass the language proficiency exam, at this level you should also show developed writing skills, for example, writing an essay.

Listening and comprehension skills at B2 level

Let's take a look at what you need to know for English B2 level. You must be able to understand spoken and written language - not simple single phrases, but full-fledged texts. This requires a good vocabulary, knowledge of idioms and grammatical constructions.

Listening skills at this level are considered developed if you can understand the speech of native speakers with different accents and pronunciation features, are able to hear news and feature films. The list of topics in which students have an excellent understanding is extremely wide.

When it comes to written language comprehension, the opportunities are enormous. Pupils can read non-adapted fiction of various genres, newspaper articles and internet publications.

In general, we can speak of a high level of language proficiency. With such knowledge, you can safely go to an English-speaking country and not be afraid of getting lost there. You can communicate with native speakers without significant difficulties.

What you need to know for Upper-Intermediate: grammatical constructions mandatory for this level

Of course, all the skills we listed in the previous paragraph require a thorough knowledge of grammar. And we can say that by the B2 level, you should have mastered almost everything. At the next Advanced level, the small aspects are polished and practiced. Therefore, you should:

1. Use a minimum of 20 different grammatical structures.
2. Know and correctly use passive constructions, gerunds, direct and indirect speech, conditional sentences of all kinds.
3. Be able to use all tenses: Future Continuous, Future Perfect, Future Perfect Continuous, Past Perfect, Past Perfect Continuous, and others. Understand the difference between them, identify them in written and spoken language.

This is an impressive amount of information. But knowledge of grammar is mandatory, so it is important to practice grammar topics thoroughly from the beginning. Otherwise, at advanced levels, confusion and muddled thinking can result.

How to work with B2 level textbooks

Many people want to know what to read in English Upper-Intermediate to not only improve their level, but also to make learning fun. There is plenty to read in B2 level textbooks, with a variety of texts, exercises and audio materials to help you develop all aspects of the language. To make progress, it's important to organize your work with the literature in the right way. Here are some useful tips:

1. Separate reading, listening, and grammar practice. Dedicate time to each of them, but it is better to do it on different days or at least take breaks in between.
2. Use additional online resources if the textbook includes access to digital platforms.
3. Do assignments that require you to compose your own texts and dialogues.

Textbooks on Dinternal Education include interactive materials and exercises for independent work.

Improve vocabulary and contextual understanding

At B2 level, you will have to significantly improve your vocabulary and learn how to use words and expressions correctly in context. You will not only need to know the meaning of new words, but also to understand their use in different situations. This will help you improve your speaking skills and confidence in listening and reading more complex text.

Regular reading in English is one of the most effective methods for enriching your vocabulary. Read articles, books, news, blogs or even scientific materials. Of course, you can read just for pleasure, but it will be better if you also take time to work on vocabulary. Make a dictionary, where you will write out interesting words and constructions.

Everyone has certain preferences and favorite topics, but in a foreign language it is important to develop evenly and devote time to different areas. Read not only what you like. Textbooks that contain texts on all necessary areas of life can help. If you choose reading materials on your own, then pay attention to ecology, technology, culture, travel, etc. Each topic can be useful in real communication.

How to avoid common mistakes

The Upper-Intermediate level is great for error correction. With a solid body of knowledge, you will improve the quality of your speech and communicate more confidently. To do this, you need to pay attention to the main sections of language learning.

1. Errors in grammar are the most common, and among them the use of tenses is in the first place. Take time for additional practice if you sometimes confuse Present Perfect and Present Perfect Continuous. The second problem is incorrect prepositions. They can cause difficulties, because in Ukrainian they are not used at all.
2. Another headache for students is often pronunciation. Ideally, it should be practiced from the first lesson, but at advanced levels it is not too late to address this issue. Don't neglect the opportunity to listen to native speakers and do phonetic exercises.
3. Very often students at B2 level use words incorrectly. The amount of vocabulary is very large and it is easy to get confused. Pay special attention to the nuances of meaning. Phrasal verbs and idioms cause the most difficulty.
4. Stylistics and coherence of speech are crucial at advanced levels. The first issue is easily addressed by working on different styles and examining the appropriateness of certain expressions. Remember that there are different rules for speaking and writing. Speech coherence suffers in students who spend little time communicating. Despite extensive knowledge, they find it difficult to speak, so it is important to practice speaking.

By avoiding typical mistakes, you will be able to make your speech more accurate, confident and natural. Constant practice, even 15-20 minutes a day, will help you achieve the desired results faster.

How to prepare for the B2 level: tips and recommendations

As always, you should start preparing by determining your current level. It is foolish to memorize the basics if you already know them. You will just waste your time. Start by taking a few tests online. The results you get will give you a fairly accurate indication of your level.

Once you understand your level, move on to choosing a textbook. This is important as the textbook has a clear structure and gives information as per the plan. This way you have less chance of getting confused and missing important topics.

B2 level assumes free use of complex grammatical constructions, so do not neglect studying grammar. For example, you should not get lost when you see:

1. Conditional sentences of the second and third type (If I had studied, I would have passed the exam).
2. Passive voice in different tenses (The meeting was postponed yesterday).
3. Gerund and infinitive (He enjoys reading books vs. He decided to read a book).

In addition, keep in mind that a topic cannot be considered passed if you have just learned a rule. You need to practice using the constructions in different exercises.

The second aspect you need to pay attention to is vocabulary. At advanced levels, it is not enough to just know the words. You need to be fluent in phrasal verbs, idioms and slang. If you plan to use English at work, take the time to learn professional vocabulary. Here are some tips to make memorization easier:

1. Make thematic lists: travel, work, technology, ecology.
2. Use flashcards.
3. Read articles, books, and news articles, writing out unfamiliar words with examples.
4. Learn words in context. For example, instead of memorizing the word “impact”, use the phrase “The new policy had a significant impact on the economy”.

This way you will memorize a lot of new vocabulary quickly and efficiently. In doing so, any topic will be useful.

The next must-know aspect is reading. What should I read in English at Upper-Intermediate level? Anything! Internet articles, books, scientific and professional literature will do. The more you read, the faster you will progress. You can easily find something to read on the Internet. If you prefer paper books, you can easily find them on our website.

You can't do without listening, either. There's no point in learning a language if you can't understand speech by ear. So be sure to include practicing this skill in your studies. It's not that hard to do: you can watch movies, listen to podcasts, and talk to native speakers. In the age of the internet, anyone can do it.

You can't forget about written text either. Regularly practice writing essays - this will not only help you improve your language, but also teach you to express your thoughts concisely and succinctly, and this skill will come in handy in any field. It is not necessary to take on voluminous essays at once. Start with a simple one and gradually complicate the tasks. It is best if your essays can be checked by a teacher or a native speaker.

To reach B2 level, it is important to be able to speak confidently on a variety of topics. Talk to native speakers, participate in conversation clubs offline or online (e.g. Zoom). Record your speech and analyze your mistakes.

Share your views on the modern education system. Use expressions such as “From my perspective”, “I firmly believe”, “In conclusion”. Test your skills regularly to track your progress. Learning a language on your own is not easy, so it is important to keep your interest and stay motivated.

Keep track of your progress and note how many new words you have learned or how many texts you have written. Reward yourself for your achievements.