This is what I would do if I wanted to reach C2 level

Ever since I learned about the levels commonly used to describe language ability, according to the Common European Framework of Reference, I’ve been eager to learn more and make my way through the scales.

Today I help students to reach more advanced levels and get ready for the Cambridge C2 Proficiency exam, one of the highest-level qualifications. I can relate to their struggles and am keen to find ways to guide them.

Some of the lessons I’ve taught recently got me thinking about my own journey. Granted, different people will have different opportunities and resources available, so the ideas below are based on what I consider to be optimal to have a safe and productive journey towards higher levels of proficiency. That doesn’t mean that other methods can’t lead you to the same destination.

Now that we understand the goal, let’s go over the advice I would give myself if I wanted to reach the C2 level of proficiency in English nowadays.

1. Set a deadline and raise the stakes

Knowing how much time you have can do wonders for motivation and organisation. If it’s January and you’ve decided to sit the exam in November, you know you have about ten months to prepare, so your only option is to devise a plan to get there.

What’s more, feeling motivated to achieve a goal, i.e. sit an exam, makes it hard not to talk about it. Telling other people you’re going to do it generates accountability, which may feed into motivation when the going gets tough. Surely there are downsides to setting a deadline, which come in the form of comprimises for more study time. Still, the results you achieve may be worth it.

2. Hire a tutor, if possible

Having professional guidance, in my opinion, is the only kind of shortcut you can have in your language learning journey. Instead of spending months or even years trying to find out what you should study and how you can develop, look for someone who will work closely with you to identify your strengths, weaknesses and, most importantly, show you how to improve.

Relying on a DIY approach can be frustrating at best and ineffective at worst. An experienced tutor will not only provide you with corrective feedback, but also guidance on how to study and practice as well as strategies for time management.

They’re also one of your most reliable sources for the questions you have along the way: How can I make sure I remember the new vocabulary I learn? Is it right to say ‘utterly brilliant’? (Yes, it is.) How do I plan an effective essay? Is my pronunciation intelligible?

Find an expert who you trust and work with them as much as you can, whether it is three times a week or once a month. This is guaranteed to help you achieve consistent results.

3. Aim for imperfect consistency, aka 'remember that life happens'

In order to set realistic goals, you must know the conditions in which you are working and understand there are limitations to what you are capable of achieving. Adopting an all-or-nothing approach may result in a lot of nothing coupled with a ton of frustration.

Fight perfectionism by not expecting to follow the study routine every single week. Perhaps you can’t write one essay every week, but you can work to improve one single essay over the course of a month.

Imperfect consistency will lead to imperfect progress, but if you don’t let small setbacks deter you, you’ll see far more growth in general than if you allow perfectionism to hold you back.

4. Avoid related content on social media

In this day and age, it’s tempting to allow social media to be our primary source of news, study tips and entertainment. Yet, the negative effects of excessive use of social networks have been linked to various mental health issues, including anxiety and depression.

Once the algorithm understands you’re interested in exam preparation and reaching advanced levels of proficiency, you’re bound to be bombarded with content of countless people giving the best tips, teaching you the most advanced words, and sharing their experience only to leave you feeling overwhelmed and frustrated that you haven’t got there yet.

Don’t get me wrong, I agree it’s great to have inspiration and connect with people you look up to, and there is certainly no shortage of people creating great content online. But I don’t think it’s healthy to see ten different people every day who are either saying something you don’t know or demonstrating skills they have acquired at a pace that is simply not your own.

It’s hard not to compare your first week to someone else’s three-year journey, but the truth is there’s no point in comparing your achievements with what another person in different circumstances has achieved.

If you find yourself often falling into the comparison trap, do yourself a favour and consider not using social media for the purpose of learning more language or getting ready for an exam. There’s plenty of useful content you can find elsewhere – and that’s another important question you can ask your tutor.

Final thoughts

The experience of working hard to achieve the C2 level and pass the Proficiency exam has taught me many important lessons, chief among them: I don’t always need to work so hard to make progress.

Although I genuinely enjoyed the opportunity I had to immerse myself in my studies and focus on one goal, I understand this is not the only way to notice improvement.

Different moments in life require varying degrees of commitment, so once you’ve reached your goal, rest assured there will still be plenty of new things to learn. I have certainly learned a great deal since I sat the C2 Proficiency exam.

I’d love to know what other suggestions you would add to the list, so don’t hesitate to get in touch and share your thoughts.

Thanks for reading.