From Decent to Flawless: A Guide to Learning Advanced English

If you’re past the intermediate level but still haven’t quite reached the advanced one, there’s no need to worry—you’re almost there! Now that you have a solid foundation, you have a lot more options and can use better resources.

This may sound overly optimistic, especially if you feel you’ve reached your maximum and have no idea how to continue improving. By the way, that feeling is very common among intermediate-level language learners and is based on one of those false beliefs that can hinder any progress if you let them.

If you feel like you’re stuck, let me help you unstuck and take your English skills to an advanced level.

How to learn advanced English

There are many ways, actually. So many that seeing where to begin may seem overwhelming. Before you start, keep in mind that there are distinct aspects of language learning, and you need to improve them all—starting from those that are your weakest point at the moment.

Assessing your pain points (plus personal example)

Identifying your weakest point is sometimes easy. In my case, that was (and still is, to some degree) verbal communication. Even though I had studied English at the university, I needed more practice to reach the advanced level. Unfortunately, as an introvert who prefers doing anything alone, I initially limited my options to self-study materials, mostly books.

Since I love reading and writing more than anything else, I kept working on those aspects of the language. The progress was amazing, but, at the same time, I wasn’t sure how to pronounce some words that I used daily in a written form. Reading out loud helped, but only when I was alone in the room. Whenever I needed to talk to someone in English, I would get stuck.

Funny enough, I started a writing career with broken verbal English, and that was a massive drawback for me. I lacked the courage to attend video interviews, which meant fewer opportunities for me. If I could turn back time, I would invest in a series of 1-on-1 classes with a supportive tutor. That way, I would certainly have more confidence and be able to land lucrative projects sooner.

The bottom line is—your real level of general English proficiency will always be assessed (by yourself and others) according to the aspect of the language that is your weakest point at that moment. If you have one—and you most certainly have it—work on it first, and then proceed to nurture all other aspects.

Now, these pain points differ. I know people who speak easily but lack a proper grasp of English grammar. Some struggle with accents, others with idioms. Anyway, if you want to get to the advanced stage, it means that all aspects of the language need to be cultivated. Let’s see how.

English for advanced learners: reading comprehension

Since you’re an intermediate-level English speaker, reading news articles and social media posts is, by now, too easy for you. It is time to find some challenging material—but it can still be based on your interests.

Literary fiction is perfect for that because of the variety of layers of meaning and rich vocabulary. If you’re not into fiction, try scientific journals or a non-fiction book on a topic you know little about. Or think of anything that you would normally read in your native language, but you still haven’t tried reading it in English. You might not feel that, but you’re ready, and it’s about time to take a leap and switch the language.

Just reading some great material is not enough—you need to think critically about the content you consume and ensure you learn something through it. It is time to hone your reading comprehension skills through self-assessment.

If it’s been a while since you last took a formal English reading test, certain skills might need a bit of a brush-up. One of those skills is figuring out what a new word means by looking at the words around it – something students often do before exams. This skill will be critical on your journey toward advanced English.

Whenever you finish a reading session, try adding a few extra minutes after you’re done. Take another look at the text, but pretend you’re getting ready for an exam this time. Imagine that you need to really get what the text is all about. Come up with some relevant questions, and then challenge yourself to answer them. This isn’t your regular reading anymore – it’s like a turbo boost for understanding. Blend your relaxed reading time with a bit of focused analysis, and watch your reading skills level up!

If you feel that the progress will be too slow—it won’t. Okay, maybe it will at the beginning, but you’ll soon be able to read and understand text in English just as fast as you would in your native language.

The best thing is that you don’t have to do it alone. You can always save your time and effort by hiring a teacher. Things that are frustrating when you’re solo can be easy and pleasant when you have someone by your side. Book a trial lesson with one of our smart and friendly English tutors, and you’ll see what I mean.

Advanced English language learning: listening comprehension

When it comes to listening skills, your favorite English series is likely not challenging enough anymore. Like with the reading material, it is time to opt for something more complex and challenging. Maybe some documentaries or podcasts aimed at a knowledgeable audience.

The content you consume should vary in subjects and topics, but that’s not all. To be able to understand spoken English in real-life situations, you have to listen to all kinds of English accents. For example, you can look for some local shows from different areas of the US, UK, Canada, Australia, South Africa, and more.

Use the advantages of this century and listen to audiobooks in English when you do your chores. Choose some fiction or business books, textbooks related to your industry, self-development books, or even sermons—whatever you’re into. Focus on the content and try to grasp the essence as much as you can. Don’t give up; pretend that English is the only language you can listen to.

After listening to the content of your choice, try to come up with study questions and do your homework for the best results. Organize your thoughts by writing down what you heard. If you work with a tutor, try to retell the main points and then let the conversation flow. That will certainly enrich your understanding and skyrocket your English skills.

How to develop advanced English writing skills

Reading and listening practice will enrich your vocabulary and give you many examples of grammar rules in action. The next step is to put them to good use in writing.

Begin with a diary. Spend some time every day writing about what happened that day, your thoughts and feelings, or just about anything else. Throughout the day, whenever some topic captures your attention, write a few sentences about it in your English diary. I promise it’s worth it.

Sometimes, you’ll struggle to express some thoughts. Instead of skipping them and writing about something else, check your resources and come up with a way to say that. Look up grammar constructions and idioms online. Invest some time in it. It will pay off.

You can start blogging once you’re happy with how your English writing progresses. That can be a bit intimidating because everyone will be able to read your attempts and judge your writing style. But at the same time, blogging can be a huge source of encouragement. Share your blog’s URL with friends and all the people you know who might support you. Find similar minds online through networking sites. Comment on other people’s blogs.

Very soon, you’ll have a small yet invaluable group of people who regularly interact with you in written English! That’s just phenomenal because you’ll be motivated to express yourself more clearly and skillfully. Before you know it, you’ll start using many new expressions and puns. Your writing will have a better flow and be more on a native-like level. You might become an online influencer depending on your blog’s niche and your willingness to invest energy in it. Can you imagine that?

If I had to recommend a niche that would be the most beneficial for developing advanced English skills, I would choose book summaries. Simply read some great books, take notes in English, and then organize them as blog articles. Practice capturing the essence and conveying it in your own words while emphasizing why it is so important. As a result, over time, your writing will improve so much that you’ll even be able to emulate the style of best-selling authors. Believe it or not, if you’re at the upper-intermediate level right now and have some writing skills in your native language, you can get to that stage in about six months. Or even sooner if you find a tutor or editor to provide feedback and help you polish your writing on a regular basis.

How to develop advanced English speaking skills

In real life, most communication happens in person, so there’s no need to explain why developing advanced speaking skills is so important.

You’ve certainly practiced speaking before and can lead a casual conversation. That’s a great start, but now you need to up the game. At this level, your speaking practice needs to be more diverse. It should cover different aspects, from pronunciation and accent to using idioms and advanced grammar structures regularly.

Idioms can be your ticket to sounding more like a language pro. They are like a special seasoning that adds flavor to your language dish. You’ve probably picked up a bunch of them from books, movies, or just chatting with people. But here’s where the real fun begins – using them in your own conversations. That might feel a bit like trying out a new recipe at first. But practice makes perfect. Start by noting down a few idioms you’d like to give a shot. Mentally keep them in your back pocket, and then listen for good opportunities to slip them into your chats.

The cool thing is that you don’t have to go all out and throw idioms into every sentence. Start small, like adding a pinch of spice to your dish. When you feel comfortable, toss in another idiom here and there. It’s like curating your own collection of idioms, one chat at a time.

Even if you’re not speaking English all day, you can still practice in your head. Think of it as a mental exercise – the more you do it, the better you’ll get. If that’s too challenging—or you simply want to speed up the process, consider hiring an English language tutor. The kind of help they provide is always useful, but when it comes to speaking practice, it is basically a necessity.

One-on-one language tutoring provides a treasure trove of benefits, particularly when it comes to honing your English accent and pronunciation. Imagine having your own personal language coach – someone dedicated to refining the nuances of your speech, much like a skilled musician tuning an instrument.

Personalized attention is the key ingredient. With a dedicated tutor, you’re not just a face in a crowd. They focus solely on your unique needs, identifying areas where your accent might need a little polish and pinpointing pronunciation pitfalls. It’s like having a spotlight on your progress.

Picture this: you’re working on a tricky sound, say that elusive “th” in “ether.” Your tutor’s right there, breaking it down step by step. They’ll guide you through the proper tongue placement, breath control, and rhythm until you’ve got it down pat. Plus, you get instant feedback. Imagine mimicking a native speaker’s intonation and realizing your rendition isn’t quite hitting the mark. Your tutor can instantly provide corrective feedback, helping you adjust your pitch, stress, and melody.

Language is also about culture and context. A skilled tutor brings cultural insights to the table, explaining why certain accents or pronunciations are more common in specific regions. This not only enriches your speech but also deepens your understanding of the language’s cultural tapestry.

Advanced English learning apps

Language learning apps are a lovely new way to study English, but most of them are only useful for beginners. Fewer are beneficial for intermediate users, and only a handful can help you develop advanced language skills in any language, including English.

Still, advanced English speakers can benefit from using English language learning apps. There are a few that offer content and features that can be helpful on this level.

• TED: This app provides access to TED Talks, which are short, informative talks on a variety of topics. You can use TED Talks Daily to improve your listening comprehension and to learn about new topics.
• Grammarly: This AI-powered spelling and grammar checker helps users improve their grammar and writing skills. You can use Grammarly to check your work for errors and to learn about grammar rules.
• Clozemaster: Learn new vocabulary by filling in the blanks in sentences. You can use Clozemaster to practice your reading comprehension and to learn new words in context.
• Coursera and edX: While not solely language apps, these platforms offer university-level courses in English on a variety of subjects, allowing advanced learners to engage with complex academic language.
• The BBC Learning English: A great resource for English language learners of all levels, including advanced learners. The app offers a variety of content, including a variety of podcasts on a variety of topics, including news, culture, and current affairs. It also offers a wealth of videos and quizzes. The app also provides transcripts for all of its content, which can be helpful for advanced learners who want to practice their reading comprehension.
• LiveXP App: This app connects learners with English teachers from around the world for online tutoring. It helps you get in touch with the best tutors out there and arrange private lessons at your convenience. One-on-one tuition will help you excel at all aspects of the English language faster and make the journey more enjoyable.

Advanced English Classes

If you’re looking for advanced English classes, you might consider options such as:

• Coursera’s “Advanced Writing” (provided by UC Irvine): This course focuses on improving advanced writing skills for various purposes, including academic and professional communication.
• edX’s “Advanced English Grammar and Style”: An online course that dives into advanced grammar concepts and writing style to enhance overall language proficiency.
• British Council’s “Advanced English” Courses: The British Council offers a range of courses for advanced English learners, focusing on various skills like speaking, listening, writing, and reading.
• Universities with English Departments: Many universities around the world offer advanced English courses, often as part of their English or language departments. These courses can cover a wide range of topics, including literature, linguistics, and academic writing.

All of these classes are excellent, but they typically lack personalized attention from a skilled tutor. If you’d like to zoom in on your unique challenges and fine-tune the subtler points of language, you should opt for private lessons.

English Lessons for Advanced Learners

If you still don’t have a dedicated English teacher, you can always find one on LiveXP. With a single subscription, you gain access to an expansive pool of over 2,000 expert tutors who are ready to guide you towards success.

Instead of settling for a generic learning plan, you can define one that aligns with your goals and aspirations. A 1-on-1 approach means you receive dedicated guidance, timely feedback, and progress that speaks volumes. The best thing is that you can switch tutors effortlessly whenever you like. Explore different teaching styles, methods, and insights so you can truly uncover your potential.

Here’s the bottom line: One-on-one tuition is your secret weapon to level up your English accent and pronunciation. It’s like having a personal trainer for your speech muscles, guiding you towards clarity and fluency. So, whether you’re aiming for a neutral accent or adding a touch of local flair, your tutor is your partner in this exciting linguistic journey.