How to go from B1-C1 in English | 10 Steps to follow
Overview: From B1 to C1
You are at B1 level: capable of holding conversations and getting by, but this is where many learners stall because B1 is comfortable.
C1 is described as the real game changer for fluency, ability to work or study in English, and speaking with confidence.
The video provides 10 practical steps to move from B1 to C1.
The approach emphasizes active output, meaningful input, deliberate practice, feedback, immersion, chunking, consistency, and motivation.
Key guiding principles referenced in the talk include:
Practice through speaking (output) is essential for improvement.
Immersive, enjoyable content drives natural acquisition.
Focus on chunks and phrases rather than isolated words.
Use feedback to identify and correct errors.
Build routines with small, regular time commitments (little and often).
Set clear goals and track progress to stay motivated.
Foundational concepts connected to language learning practice: output (speaking), input (listening/reading), feedback, chunking, immersion, habitual practice, and goal-oriented learning.
Practical implications include time management, social aspects of speaking, and the value of routine over sporadic bursts of study.
Step 1 — Speak more
The single most important step: speak more even if imperfect; don’t wait to know more before you speak.
Ways to increase output:
Join conversation groups
Find a language exchange partner
Try to make friends in English
Speak to ChatGPT or a mirror, or speak while walking (you might feel silly, but it’s part of the process)
Record yourself on video or audio to detect mistakes and assess naturalness
Goals of speaking practice:
Build fluency, pronunciation, and real-time thinking in English
Create opportunities to notice and correct errors
Step 2 — Listen daily without subtitles
Listen every day when possible, without subtitles, and choose content you actually enjoy.
Content ideas: podcasts (football, travel, etc.), YouTube videos, crime series, reality TV; they don’t need to be educational—immersion matters.
If understanding is hard, start with subtitles and rewatch without them.
Tips for easing in:
Watch programs you’ve already seen in your native language (e.g., Friends in English if you watched it in Spanish).
Focus on chunks of language rather than isolated words.
Useful phrases to learn as chunks (examples):
"it rings a bell"
"off the top of my head"
"to rant" (explained as similar to "to complain");
Core idea: immersion and contextual learning trump isolated vocabulary for real comprehension.
Step 3 — Read to think in English
Read varied material: articles, blog posts, news, graded readers (books at lower difficulty designed for learners).
How to choose reading material: search for graded readers in English to match your level.
Reading strategy:
Don’t worry about every single word; focus on recurring chunks, expressions, and frequently repeated vocabulary.
Take notes on new phrases and review them to memorize.
Read aloud to practice pronunciation while reinforcing recognition and rhythm.
Purpose: train your brain to think in English by linking meaning to phrases rather than translating word-for-word.
Step 4 — Write to organize your thoughts
Writing practice helps organize thoughts in English and reveal weaknesses.
Suggested writing activities: keep a diary, write social media captions, chat with friends on WhatsApp.
Benefits:
Forces you to form sentences and express ideas in English
Helps identify frequent errors to target in practice
Tools to aid writing: Grammarly, DeepL, Gmail (for real-world writing corrections).
Mindset: mistakes are necessary and part of learning; learn from them.
WhatsApp tip: if you’re lazy about writing, send a voice note to practice speaking and pronunciation.
Step 5 — Surround yourself in English (immersion)
Immersion is arguably the most important step: surround yourself with English to naturally pick up vocabulary and phrases.
Practical immersion strategies:
Change your devices to English (phone, laptop, apps)
Follow English-speaking accounts on social media (e.g., content about Hollywood, football, etc.)
Mental habit: train yourself to think in English in daily activities (walking, cooking, driving, planning tasks, recalling yesterday).
Goal: make English the default language in daily contexts to enhance subconscious learning.
Step 6 — Learn in chunks, not isolated words
Emphasize learning phrases and expressions rather than memorizing lists of individual words.
Rationale: chunks are ready-to-use and help you sound natural and confident.
How to memorize chunks:
Use flashcards (e.g., Quizlet, Anki) and apply spaced repetition to reinforce phrases over time.
Benefit: moves you toward native-like fluency by leveraging natural language patterns.
Step 7 — Get feedback (ideally personalized)
Practice alone is important but feedback is essential to identify errors in pronunciation and usage.
Feedback sources:
Patient English-speaking friends, colleagues, or family
Teachers or language partners
The speaker offers classes and invites contact via email for personalized guidance (leisenglishwithlellis.com).
Additional practical tip: keep a log of common mistakes and correct them before you repeat them (e.g., the recurring error: "he said me" which should be "he told me" or "he said to me").
Extra note from the talk: the British expression "cup of tea" is sometimes said as "cuppa".
Step 8 — Mix formal and informal English
Balance is key: don’t restrict yourself to one style; expose yourself to both formal and informal registers.
How to diversify:
For informal English: watch interviews or sitcoms
For formal English: listen to news or business English podcasts
Fun example of historical style: media like The Crown or Downton Abbey; phrase to illustrate formal register (e.g., "Ooh, jolly! Good day, sir!")
Practical outcome: you’ll be able to handle a job interview and casual chats in a pub with ease.
Step 9 — Be consistent, not perfect
The common myth that practice makes perfect is rejected here; instead, practice makes progress.
Recommended habit: 15 to 20 minutes every day is more effective than 3 hours in one day per week. The idea is "little and often".
Building routines:
Pair English study with daily activities (e.g., read an article after waking up)
Listen to a short podcast during a commute or walk
Overall aim: establish habits that turn language learning into second nature.
Summary principle: consistency over intensity yields sustainable improvement.
Step 10 — Stay motivated with clear goals
Define your goal and reason for improving English (e.g., getting a job in English, moving abroad, understanding business meetings, communicating with native speakers).
Stay motivated by tracking progress, celebrating small wins, and rewarding yourself for steady work.
Social support: surround yourself with like-minded learners to maintain momentum (you are influenced by who you hang out with).
Final reminders from the video:
If you want personalized guidance, you can contact for classes via the email in the video description.
Gratitude for reaching the end of the video and encouragement to keep going.
Practical reminders and recurring ideas throughout the video
The core philosophy across steps is iterative: input, output, feedback, and immersion cycle to build fluency.
Mistakes are viewed as a natural and valuable part of the learning process.
The plan emphasizes enjoyment and real-world relevance to sustain motivation and engagement.
Notable examples and phrases mentioned
Phrases to learn as chunks: "it rings a bell", "off the top of my head"
Verb nuance: "to rant" is similar to "to complain"
Common correction example: "he said me" should be "he told me" or "he said to me"
British language note: "cup of tea" is commonly said as "cuppa"
Cultural/entertainment references used to illustrate informal/formal English: The Crown, Downton Abbey
Key formulas, numbers, and concrete references
Number of steps in the plan: steps
Daily practice suggestion (consistency): per day
Contrast example for practice time: vs
Closing thought
The video frames the journey from B1 to C1 as a practical, doable process built from consistent, enjoyable, and purposeful daily actions. It invites learners to take concrete steps, seek feedback, and maintain motivation through clear goals and social support.