The truth is that 75% of learners stall at intermediate level.
When you start learning a language, you seem to make fast, confident progress. Grammar rules, vocabulary that can keep you busy for months on end, colloquial expressions you find funny and pick up quickly.
But after a while, even after twenty years, you see no tangible improvement in what you're doing. When you walk into a meeting you can't add much value, because of an ongoing «paralysis» caused by the fear of not coping.
Why do intermediate learners stall? Quite simply, for lack of practical use.
Some people devour textbooks and can recall every grammar rule without any trouble.
Others have a wide vocabulary and can even tell where it's used and where it isn't.
However, once you reach B1–B2, general English or German is no longer enough; you need something more specific.
You need constant, niche practice.
You should have a language coach who works with you live online at least two days a week (it's far more practical than face to face), knows your skills and trains you in the niche you work in.
Last week, one of our German teachers had to stop teaching several of our students for a while.
These students have a very particular profile, as industrial engineers, and we'd found this great teacher who had a technical degree.
Teachers with that background are rare, so to replace him we had to find someone who at least knew where the students were and how they were preparing a crucial meeting with head office in Germany.
Only yesterday, the head of the company told us how grateful they were for the new teacher.
Obviously it wasn't the same, but he quickly carried on preparing and challenging them so they'd hit their goal in that meeting.
Why do intermediate learners stall with languages?
Quite simply, because they lack the constant practice and cultural immersion that would take them to the next level.
For language classes or language coaching that make you feel comfortable and useful in any work meeting, get in touch here.
Have a great day.