How good is your English?

[Ada12]

Hello ,Torsten and everyone! I can't say my English level is adnvanced, even I have
learned English for many years. writing is harder for me other then speaking and listening. So I try to do more practice on writing and reading. Anyway I make a progress day by day.

Many thanks for Torsten!
Best regards!

[Altynai]

Dear Torsten,
This question is really interesting. While applying for some kind of job, and filling in an application most people mark that they have fluent English or in other words refer themselves to the categoery of advanced. Advanced learner should have best receptive and reproductive skills.
As for me, when I take Advanced tests, especially grammar out of ten I usually have eight right answers, but when I take tests on lexis, phrasal verbs sometimes I get only 4 right answers. It would be kind of you if you sent me advanced tests and define my category.
One more thing that I want to point out that we learn how to write right in English. English writing is quite different from my Kyrgyz one because there are many rules in English.
Best regards,
Altynai

[Nauro]

Sunday, December 13th 2009.
Hi everybody, I am Nauro, from Brazil. I am not an advanced learner, but I have studied english by myself for years and I read a lot of scientific texts. Because that I know hundreds of words and my learning is very good. I know grammar too. Now I am learning to write. My great dificulty is listening. My ears do not understand what people say. But I have a hope that this will improve with time and training.
Good bye.
Nauro.

[Mawmawwin]

Hi Teacher,
I think my English level is in basic. Because I can not speak fluently and can not write well. My listening power is also poor. But I try my best and one day i will be a good English speaker as a native one.
Regards,
win

[Zulaikha]

hi ,Torsten
you are my best teacher , i am very luky .and i m very happy to see u as my teacher,
thank you for helping.

i am zulaikha,
there are many ways to know my level sometimes take test ................I think if we want to learn speak English to need practice long time as a: reading, listening, writing and speaking.
I have some problem when I speak with native English; sometime I do not understand them, because they use some word that I do not know, but I like to improve my listening and speaking every day,
or simple is that we have to learn vocabulary, and grammar. really it is very simple and easy.to do good English..

[Fairy]

Hi Torsten,
This is the question I’m asking myself as well. But I don’t get the answer yet. I don’t know how to estimate my English level. And I think my vocabulary is not enough even for daily usage. And I don’t know how to improve it. If I tell you that I am going to take a TOEFL exam in the coming six months, what will you give me as suggestion? Do you think it is enough to take the TOEFL text after preparing for six months?

p.s I'm waiting for your reply.

[SkiIucK]

Hello, everyone!

Your progress is enviable! You must be trying really hard, which is nice.

Fairy, and to all future TOEFL examinees for that matter, anything is possible. In order to expand your vocabulary, try reading as much as possible. Also, do many tests. This site has a plethora of those, and I can tell you they are worth it. The Internet provides tons of quizzes as well.
In my opinion however, the TOEFL exam isn't about vocabulary. Rather, your fluency in the language is put up to the test. Big deal if you don't understand a few words in the reading part; context is your friend. Remember that! They don't examine your ability to use fancy words. Make sure your speaking and writing go smoothly, though. Use simple words, but master them! That's crucial. Avoid lengthy and complicated sentence structures, and be certain that you are more than well familiar with the basic grammar rules.

Fear not!

[Trangpigi]

Hello Torsten,
I don't think my English level is advanced. I thought it was intermediate till I took part in school english competition. I wouldn't go as far as to say my english is bad, I study English at school rather well and always get good marks. After participating that competition and ranking the sixth, I found out my speaking was not very good and I always tried to repeat, repeat english articles, texts in the books... that I'd learnt, so I understand I studied English not ... how shall I put it... not in the right way. After all, I agree with you that the best way to improve English is making it surround you, reading books in original, watching english books and go to www.english-test.net )))))

[Fairy]

Hi skiIuck.

Thanks for your reply and encouraging. As your suggestion, today, I’m trying to read the book that names “A kiss before dying”. It’s just written in simple English. There just only a few words that I don’t know and had to search in dictionary. And I’ll do many tests as my best as well. You know, I felt exciting and very happy when I got your reply. As I have no friends to talk with by using English language, your short letter gave me some special feelings.

fairy

[SkiIucK]

Good to hear that, Fairy, good to hear that. Keep up the good work!

[Lidiya]

Hi everyone who reads this forum.
thanks for everybody who help us improve English .
thank you teacher hi is amazing.

Lidiya

[Ada12]

Hi ! Torsten and everyone!

First of all,Thanks Torsten for emailing me english course, I have learned a lot .
but it is very weak in my wrighting, I am afraid to make mistake (like torsten said)
while I write something, that's why I always keep silent on forum, sorry about that.
Torsten encouraged me to communicate with everyone on forum, I tryto do that,
and increase my English reading everyday,hopefully it may help.
Best Regards!
Merry Christmas!
ada Zhang

[Jairo]

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[Dieu Chau]

Dear Mr. Torsten,
I like your email with advanced English and above replies, definitions as well as their experiences. After reading all, I feel serious about my English knowledge. I was appreciated well as a student and always proud of good speaking or in the other words real confident with communication in English. However, I think my level is only basic... in comparison with above internet learners here. There are not many opportunities for me to be spoken and touch by native speakers or teachers, instead with people who can speak English. Therefore, for me, advanced English is speaking fluently understood by all in English communication, using slang or proverbs in correct context and flexibly, good comprehension in all fields, using or distinguishing words obviously in each popular or common documents and contents. That is the highest target which i wish. But I just want to communicate and work in English well ,and not necessary to reach the academic English because That is impossible to a foreigner in a country in which English is not a mother tongue, I think so. It is really to say that advanced level is too difficult. :-(
By the way, Please tell me errors in this email (I am not afraid of facing my mistakes, :-) ) and Is it OK if exercises (grammar practice and writing) is sent and corrected for me after that ?? Again, my purpose to learn english is how to communicate and work well, not academic English. Please, give me some advices and find suitable supporting methods as easy as possible.
Many thanks
Chau

[Dieu Chau]

Hi Mr. Torsten
Firstly, I thank you so much for your kind and regular supports. I like your exercises and your teams' so much, really. You often ask me to reply with my introduction myself or something not understood about exercises in each email. I feel emotion. However, really to say, I have been satisfied with all the explanation in the forum when I try to find answer for my incorrect answers. That is reason why I sometimes post my questions or consideration. If I wonder anything, I will ask you without any hesitation. OK?

Many thanks
Chau