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I thought my English level was B1-B2

TypeHonk
I always thought I had a great understanding of the English language. I literally couldn't be more wrong. I took an online test that calculated my proficiency level based on my listening and reading skills and it said it's between B1-B2 but the only problem is my writing and speaking are far worse because of my lack of skill. Evertime I read posts of people talking about how they can improve their English, they often use perfect English with little to no mistakes and that makes me feel stupid since I've been watching English videos on YouTube since 13 (Currently 16 years old) that's how I like to learn stuff, through watching YouTube videos. I can't stand reading books, even in my native language. Because I often reread the same sentence over and over again because I don't want to miss a single word while reading. I tried everything to fix it. Using my finger to read, reading aloud etc. but I often get anxious while doing so. I'm basically doomed to be A2

18 comments

pluviophile-bookworm•
First of all, as many others have said, based on your writing you're absolutely at B2, but second of all, I think it's fairly normal for a learner to be better at understanding than producing. I speak five languages (at varying levels) myself, and understanding has always come first. Even if we look at the way babies learn their native language, they start by listening and listening for months, sometimes years, before they start speaking. Besides, you're still quite early in your journey to fluency, so I'd encourage you to be patient and not give up. You're by no means doomed. It just takes time. Best of luck 💜
ITburrito•
Don’t be so hard on yourself. The level doesn’t matter as long as you are able to convey a message during a conversation. Apparently you can do it well enough.
Capable_Being_5715•
Use [this](https://www.lexioo.io/speak/speech/550e8400-e29b-41d4-a716-446655440006#topic=6) to assess your speaking level. It’s highly accurate and will give you feedback
buildmine10•
What is B1 and B2? Is B worse than A? These letters and numbers don't seem to match my incoming expectations.
RotisserieChicken007•
If you *can't stand reading books*, then you're probably reading the wrong ones, i.e. ones that are too hard because they're above your level and ones that you don't find interesting.
Majestic-Finger3131•
This post is practically native level. A few minor things (like should be "since I was 13" not "since 13"), but wow, you have no right to complain.
imheredrinknbeer•
How many different topics can you talk about with depth ? (medical , engineering , political , biological , family life , the weather, etc.) How big is your vocabulary ? B2 is meant to know at least 5000 words or something like that. Do you make grammatical mistakes, and do you know why they are incorrect ? Watching TV/YouTube will only take one so far. If you want to improve, then you'll require some level of selfstudy or formal training. It seems as though you already have a solid foundation to build upon, and you have youth on your side.
Prestigious_Storm_94•
Yeah, I feel like I am in the same boat. Those online proficiency tests are literally crooks. I use this EnglishScore thing, it literally said I was C1 AALMOST C2 (which is hardly believable). But then, when I have some English writing to do (e.g. right now), it literally feels like English is slipping away from my control. I can't even compose a sentence or two w/o thorough thinking. I'm not even talking about speaking. I literally speak like a drunkard sometimes. I believe this is a consequence of not having a real English native available to talk to. I may be able to consume content in English, read in English, but I have no one to talk to on a regular basis. Tldr: don't believe online tests, go for a real one instead of stupid estimations. Also try to have an English friend if you don't have one.
Greedy_Researcher_34•
I took one test before, they asked me what I had for breakfast, I said I had an omelette. The next question was how I made it, and I just blurted out, “by following the recipe, you dumbass”. It gave me a b1.
vkouznetsov•
These two paragraphs are not A2 or even B2. They were written with a good level of fluency, with just a couple of mistakes typical for non-native speakers (e.g. “I’ve been watching YouTube since 13 years old”).
Outrageous_Fig_6615•
I think you just need to practice speaking. Based on this post it seems like you have a good sense of grammar. Just start talking to yourself in English (either out loud or quietly in your head), narrating everything you do.
vanya_skl•
I think you shouldn’t worry. So, if you’re not a native and you’re 16 and you already have even A2 — it’s cool. If you’ll dig you can find that not all native can understand each other. Also different people speak differently: some people speak slowly - some faster, some use simple vocabulary - some use difficult. And you can understand one super clearly and another you’ll be able to understand as much 30% I’m not a native. I think I have A2-B1 level and I can share with you my program for learning English. I learn it all weekdays around 1.5-2 hours a day: — Listening: ~40 min — Writing: ~10 min — Speaking: ~15 min — Vocabulary: ~10 min — Grammar: ~25 min — Reading: ~20 min For listening I used describing cartoons but I’m tired of it and now I just watch Major from Sha Hai by CS:GO2 For writing I use Reddit. It’s really nice to help others here where I know something and while I do this I practice my writing and also reading. I just read other comments and questions. It’s much more interesting than read stupid short stories For grammar I use YouTube channel but it’s in Russian and I don’t think it’s suit you. But if you know Russian as well, I’ll send it to you For vocabulary I use AnkiApp. I really recommend it to everyone And speaking I do with ChatGPT I hope I helped. Good luck!
Internal-Pear3547•
I want to have your level of english This writing of the post is truly amazing i think I couldn’t write something in English like you and I would say you’re still young and i assume you still have potential to almost reach the native level
Vozmate_English•
I also thought my English was decent until I had to actually *speak* or write something longer than a tweet… and wow, reality check lol. I’m the same with YouTube learning it’s way more fun than books! But I noticed my writing got better when I started journaling in English, just dumb little thoughts like "today was boring" or "I hate Mondays." No pressure, no corrections, just getting words out. Maybe that could help? Also, don’t stress about people posting "perfect" English half the time they’re editing it 10 times before hitting post (I know I do 😅). B1-B2 comprehension is HUGE! Speaking/writing will catch up.
Linguistic_panda•
Well, regarding the post, you just have a lack of confidence, and the only way to solve that issue is practising.
haevow•
If you wrote this without a translator, you are not at A2, you are 100% at B2 😭 other than a few sentences, this sounds like native writing wtf 
SubRedditPros•
This post (if you wrote it yourself) is written at a higher level than most native speakers read at. Your English skills are wonderful, don’t worry about online tests’ opinions.
AliToosiXPA•
If you wrote this yourself, your language is better than you think. Standardise tests usually have tricks, and by all means, doesn't reflect the reality of communication in the second language. My experience of moving to the UK with 7.5 IELTS and realising I can't communicate properly. If you're self thought too, I guess it'd be common not to be good in speaking or writing. Keep practising. About your anxiety, there was this teacher from English Therapy that have told me that it would be a barrier to your communication and also learning. Even native speakers make mistakes, but they won't fixate on it! So, practice, if reading is not your favourite, try other ways. If you want to move to an English speaking country, get a teacher