What does fluency mean to you?

When will you finally stop going to classes, put away the books and do all the things you want to do in English?

In this post, we discuss what fluency is, what it takes to be fluent and if there are better ways to mark your progress.

The dictionary definition tells us fluency means speaking a language well. When teachers talk about fluency we focus on how well a student communicates what they want to say. If teachers want to correct any mistakes in grammar or vocabulary we call this working on accuracy, not fluency.

Some people use the term fluency to mean the same thing as being advanced. If you are learning English in Europe you might have an ALTE level which is a clue to how close you are to that goal.

These go from Beginner (A1) to Advanced (C1 and C2).

The graph above shows how much study is expected to get to each level and how these levels compare to IELTS exam bands which may be familiar to you if you need to pass English exams to work or study in another country.

Now let's look at the list of things that will decide how fast you get fluent.

1. The level you want to achieve and the level you are now.

The graph below shows how many classroom hours it should take you to move between levels.

Don’t forget that it’s not only what you do in class that determines how fast you progress. It’s how often you create opportunities to practise.

2. Your level of motivation.

It takes a long time to learn any language.

Everyone knows that more motivated learners have a better chance of succeeding but how do you keep motivated when the task feels never-ending?.

Can you explain in one or two sentences what you want English to do for you? Maybe one of the two phrases below?

• I want to socialise comfortably
• I want to give good work presentations

This is your long-term goal. For your short-term goals, the SMART framework is useful. Let's take an example using SMART - watching a movie in English over a week.

Imagine you decide to watch 30 minutes every day and record 20 new phrases in your vocabulary notebook. Your goals are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound. The first letters of these words make the word smart!

3. If you are an experienced language learner or not.

Studies of learners who progress quickly or who have learnt multiple languages show they have many things in common.

They take responsibility for their learning, find as many ways as possible to practise and understand that making mistakes is part of moving forward.

Successful learners are happy to make guesses when they aren’t sure of the answer and they have strategies in place to record and revise new vocabulary and grammar when they study it.

4. The intensity, regularity and success of your study routine.

When you plan how much time you spend on your English, it’s important to be realistic with the time you have and all the other things you need to get done.

Even 10 minutes a day can lead to great improvements if you are consistent and organised.

Think about how you can create language learning habits.

1. Can you listen to a podcast as you go to work?
2. Can you watch your favourite series during your lunch break?
3. Can you study your Watch and Learn word list on the train home?
4. Can you read for 10 minutes in English before you go to sleep?

It's always great to go to classes and have contact with a teacher, but everything extra you do will help you reach your goals faster!

5. How similar English is to the language(s) you already speak.

If you are a German speaker who wants to learn English you have a lot to help you. Both share vocabulary and have similar sounds.

But if your first language is Mandarin, the job of learning English is a lot harder because your first language has a different alphabet and is a tonal language with few similarities in the grammar. So, when you see how many hours are normally needed between each level of English, it’s natural that it takes you a little longer.

The important thing to remember when thinking about fluency is that it’s linked to how well you can communicate in English and not about saying or writing things perfectly and without mistakes.

If you are clear on your goals and what you want to do in English, it’s a lot easier to organise your learning so that you can perform the tasks you want to do fluently.

Watch and Learn study activities are designed to help you learn about the English language and culture in your free time. Our courses can be done during your lunchtime, commute, or when you can find time in the day.

You can also re-do the workbook activities and use our flashcards whenever you have five minutes spare. Watch and Learn will help you create an English habit that sees you progress quickly!