Spanish for Intermediates: A Comprehensive Guide
Are you looking to improve your Spanish skills? In this post, we will discuss everything you need to know about Spanish intermediate. We will cover all of the basics, such as grammar and vocabulary, and also give you some tips on how to improve your speaking and writing skills. So whether you are a beginner or an intermediate learner, this post has something for you!
CEFR: What Does “Independent User” Mean?
According to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), an independent user of Spanish is someone who can use the language fluently and accurately for communicative purposes in a variety of everyday situations. They can also understand a wide range of written and spoken texts and can produce clear, well-structured text on a variety of topics. If a learner of Spanish is in the B1-B2 levels, they can be called intermediate, independent users. This means that they can use the language relatively independently and can communicate effectively with native speakers. However, they may still need some help with more complex tasks or topics.
How to Know if You’re at the Intermediate Level in Spanish
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question since everyone’s level of proficiency in a language will be different. However, in general, you know you’re at the intermediate level when you can talk easily about simple topics (B1), read and write about personal interests (B1), or successfully survive almost any everyday short interaction in Spanish (B1). Depending on where you are in the B-level continuum, you’ll either be classified as a B1 user of Spanish (intermediate learner) or a B2 user of Spanish (upper-intermediate learner).
The CEFR estimates that a learner needs 2000 words to be at level B1 and 4000 words to be at level B2. To achieve a good grasp of grammar, it is necessary to have a strong foundation in vocabulary. This means that students need to be exposed to a variety of words to understand how they are used and how they fit together. Once students have a large enough vocabulary, they can start to focus on grammar and learn the rules that govern language.
Spanish grammar for intermediate and B1 level learners
At the intermediate level, Spanish learners should focus on grammar points including tenses of the indicative mood, relative pronouns and clauses, the present subjunctive tense, and the imperative mood. Additionally, if a learner is at the B1 level, they should already know or be learning about the preterite, imperfect, present perfect, pluscuamperfecto tenses of indicative moods as well as relative pronouns and clauses. Finally, the first conditional should also be learned if it has not been covered yet.
The B2 level of Spanish is an important milestone, as it indicates that you have a good working knowledge of the language and can communicate effectively in most situations. If you’ve reached this level and feel like you’re not making any progress, don’t worry – you’re not alone! B2 students often feel like they hit a plateau, as the learning curve flattens out after the initial excitement of starting to learn a new language.
The best way to break through this barrier is to keep practicing regularly. Try to set aside at least 15-20 minutes every day to study and practice Spanish. This may seem like a small amount of time, but it will add up over time. And if you can find a native speaker to practice with, even better!
How to Break Out of the Language Learning Plateau
The intermediate plateau is a moment during the B-level journey when you feel “stuck” and don’t seem to make any progress. This can happen at any time during language learning, but it’s more common in the intermediate stages. The reason for the plateau is not you or the language you’re learning—it’s the method of learning.
To break free from the plateau, try implementing one (or all) of these Five useful tips:
- Keep learning new vocabulary and grammar even after reaching an intermediate level. This is because it helps improve your fluency and understanding of the language. Try to learn new Spanish words every day, and review grammar at least twice a week. There are many great resources available to help with this, such as books, apps, and social media. So make use of them and keep learning!
- Using authentic Spanish content to help bring a learner out of the beginner stage. It is important to start watching and listening to Spanish content that is created for native speakers to get a sense of how the language is used. Authentic content exposes learners to other aspects of the language, as well as being fun. Many different types of Spanish content can be found, such as podcasts, radio shows, audiobooks, series, and movies. The main difficulty that comes with using this type of content is finding something that is at your level. You may have to do some searching before you find something that works for you.
- It is important to keep practicing your reading and writing skills in Spanish, even if you are feeling confident in your abilities. Reading Spanish every day for 10-15 minutes can help you improve your vocabulary and grammar skills. Additionally, writing in Spanish can help you develop your style and improve your understanding of the language.
- It is important to practice speaking Spanish to improve your skills. There are many ways to do this, including language exchanges, tutors, and shadowing. Choose the method that works best for you and make sure to use it often!
- If you’re looking to take your business or career to the next level, then you should consider enrolling in an intermediate online course. There are many great courses available online, and they are often easy and cheap. The following six courses are some of the best you can find:
Six Courses to Help You Climb Beyond the Intermediate Plateau
The six online courses mentioned in this article are all designed to help intermediate Spanish speakers have more meaningful conversations with native speakers. These courses include content that will bolster and fortify basic Spanish skills, making it easier for students to have fluid conversations with native speakers. All of these courses are available online, making them convenient and easy to access. Whether you’re looking to improve your conversational skills for work or travel purposes, or simply want to be able to converse more comfortably with family and friends, there is a course here for you.
1. FluentU
Is an app that helps you learn Spanish through authentic videos. With FluentU, you can tap on any word for a contextual definition, pronunciation, and examples of the term in different contexts. The app has a curated library with videos appropriate for every skill level, including aspiring advanced learners. You can add new vocabulary to your custom lists for more targeted reviews later on.
2. Coffee Break Spanish: Season 3
The Radio Lingua Network has created two courses that are perfect for intermediate and upper-intermediate learners. Season 3, in particular, is an excellent tool to push you beyond the upper intermediate level, and into the start of the advanced level. The whole course is divided into 40 lessons, and each lesson features a conversation between teacher Mark and native speaker Alba. In between the lessons, there’s some light-hearted intermission that involves some Spanish tongue-twisters, jokes and so much more.
3. Notes in Spanish
The podcast is a great way to improve your Spanish skills. The hosts, Marta and Ana, focus on teaching you the most useful vocabulary and grammar so that you can be more fluent in conversation. They also provide transcripts and exercises to help you practice what you’ve learned.
4. Dreaming Spanish
This website is a great resource for anyone looking to learn Spanish. The videos are engaging and entertaining, while also providing plenty of useful information. The different dialects represented on the website make it an ideal resource for people learning Spanish from all around the world.
5. Practical Spanish
A great resource for those who are looking to improve their intermediate-level Spanish skills. The book provides a concise overview of the trickier aspects of Spanish grammar, making it perfect for those who need a fast and focused survey of the language. In addition, the book includes plenty of exercises and practice opportunities, which will help students to improve their speaking, reading, and writing skills. Overall, Practical Spanish is an excellent resource for anyone who wants to improve their Spanish proficiency.
6. Study Spanish
The website, Study Spanish, offers a comprehensive and interactive way for users to learn Spanish. The website has beginner, intermediate, and advanced courses, with each course having its units. There is a subscription fee for the guided course, but users have full access to all lessons on the website without it. This makes the website a great option for those who want to learn at their own pace or for those who are already familiar with some of the basics of Spanish.
Conclusion
Now that you know all about the best resources for learning Spanish at the intermediate level, what are you waiting for? Start using them today to improve your skills and build confidence in your ability to communicate with native speakers.
