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When you think about improving your English, it’s easy to aim high. I get it.
C1 sounds impressive. Advanced. Fluent. Who wouldn’t want that?
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But here’s something I’ve seen again and again with thousands of students:
When you skip the foundation and jump ahead to where you want to be, things fall apart fast.
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C1 English without B2 support feels confusing, frustrating or worse... like English just isn’t for you.
And that’s not true. You’re not “bad at English”. You’re just working on the wrong thing.
So let’s make this practical. What do B2 and C1 actually look like in real life?
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B2 English: Everyday Connection
You’re able to express your thoughts comfortably in many situations, but you’re still building fluency, confidence and the ability to say things naturally, not just correctly.
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At B2, you’ll be able to:
Talk about your past or your culture
→ “Sundays are always loud in my family. Food, stories, arguments... I miss it.”
Handle problems smoothly
→ “I think there’s a mistake on the bill – I’ve been charged twice.”
Join group conversations
→ “I’m not sure I agree, but it’s an interesting point.”
Use natural, expressive language
→ “This weather’s driving me mad. It hasn’t stopped raining!”
Ask for help or changes politely
→ “It’s not quite what I had in mind – could I swap it?”
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C1 English: Sophisticated Expression
You already speak well, so now you’re refining how you think and express complex ideas in English. You want to sound sharp, persuasive and articulate in any context.
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At C1, you’ll be able to:
Join complex discussions
→ “There’s a cultural layer here that I don’t think we’ve addressed.”
Disagree with care
→ “It’s a fair point, though the data might suggest something else.”
Communicate clearly in professional settings
→ “Following our discussion, I’d suggest adjusting the timeline.”
Understand tone and cultural cues
→ “It’s that British thing, humour so dry you don’t realise it’s a joke.”
Shift tone naturally
→ To a friend: “Wanna grab a coffee later?”
→ In a meeting: “Would Friday afternoon work for everyone?”
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Totally normal. That’s why I’ve put together a quick checklist for each level to help you reflect. |
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✅ Can you confidently do these 5 things? (B2 level)
- Talk about your favourite childhood memory with details and emotion
- Ask for a refund or return in a calm, fluent way (and answer follow-up questions)
- Chat to a native speaker about a film you watched in English, sharing your opinions clearly
- Use expressions like “I’ve had it up to here” or “I’m in two minds about it” naturally
- Join most conversations without rehearsing your lines in your head
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✅ Or these 5? (C1 level)
- Express two sides of an argument clearly, even if you disagree with both
- Use phrases like “in light of recent developments” or “to a certain extent”
- Write or speak persuasively in a professional context
- Explain humour, sarcasm or idioms to others and use them comfortably yourself
- Shift your tone depending on formality: casual vs formal settings
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If some of the B2 examples made you hesitate, that’s a great sign that B2 is the right place to grow.
If B2 felt easy, but C1 still feels a bit out of reach, perfect! You’ve found your next level.
If neither felt quite right, don’t worry! You might be working towards a different stage altogether.
We’ll test it properly in my next email when I send you two short quizzes to help you find your level and your next step.
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Best wishes,
Lucy Bella Simkins
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