There are a lot of promises regarding shortcuts to fluency. Some videos on YouTube, for example, insist that you can achieve fluency after memorizing just a few hundred words. Other sources suggest that fluency is possible within three months of intensive study. These claims don’t make sense to me. In this post, I want to clarify what is fluency, how to achieve it, and how it applies to your language learning.

What is fluency?

First of all, let’s look at this word ‘fluency’. Fluency is a bit like the word ‘good’ or ‘well’. It’s broad, but indicates a generally advanced grasp of the language. 

Some confuse fluency with fluidity. For example, I once saw a video claiming that fluency requires just a few words. To demonstrate this, someone with limited Czech walked around Prague, exchanging pleasantries with shopkeepers and appearing fluent with few words. The interactions are fluid, but is this fluency? I don’t think so. 

I consider fluency the ability to converse on a wide range of subjects. The language does not need to be free of mistakes, but communication should be comfortable. If you’re fluent, a native speaker doesn’t need to modify or limit their speech for you. It’s assumed that you understand, and you’re able to maintain a good flow of conversation.

Notice that fluency depends on strong comprehension. With poor comprehension skills, conversational fluency is not possible. 

The European Framework of Reference

There are different ways to measure proficiency in a language. Perhaps the best general reference point is the European Common Framework of Reference, which divides proficiency into six levels: A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 and C2. In my view, B2 is the benchmark level for fluency. At a B2 level, you can understand and express yourself in a wide variety of contexts and subjects. Precision is not perfect, but your grasp of the language is evident. 

 

The key points of a B2 proficiency level are as follows.

  • Can understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in their field of specialization.
  • Can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for either party.
  • Can produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options.

Reading Your Way to Fluency 

Reading results in fluency. Of course, we often evaluate fluency through speaking. However, reading is a fundamental component of fluency. Can you read a newspaper in your target language? To me, this is a sign of fluency. This may be more difficult in languages with different scripts, such as Chinese. However, in most situations, reading a newspaper comfortably is a good indicator of fluency. 

In English, newspapers correspond to a 7th or 8th grade vocabulary level. The biggest limiting factor of any content is the vocabulary level. You need quite a large vocabulary to do many things, to understand newspapers, radio news, to converse on subjects of interest etc.. Can you read a book in your target language? This doesn’t have to be literature, but this is definitely indicative of your fluency.

Reading isn’t just a strong indicator, but also a means of achieving fluency. Listening, and reading were the most important components of my learning activities while learning Mandarin Chinese in 1968. I spent most of my time and energy building my comprehension skills. If I had had a system like LingQ when I was learning Chinese, it would have been much much easier. The ability to translate words and phrases instantly, listen to the pronunciation, and review definitely speed up the learning process. 

Anything you find online can be turned into a language lesson on LingQ, not only news articles. Create lessons with YouTube videos, audiobooks, blog posts, Netflix shows and more. Check out the complete guide to importing to find out more.

Faster learning means more intense learning.  It took me nine months to reach a level where I could translate newspaper editorials from English to Chinese and from Chinese to English, read novels and interpret. I did this in the age of the open-reel tape recorder, long before the age of the internet, online dictionaries, language learning apps, MP3 files and YouTube. With a tool like LingQ, I would have been able to take my listening and reading to a different level of effectiveness and intensity. 

Fluency & Vocabulary 

How many words do you need to know to be fluent? Well, meaningful conversations require a lot of words. Sure, you’ll have to practice speaking to grow more comfortable using the language. Regardless, you’ll need a large vocabulary. 

Some people want to claim it’s possible to be fluent with a limited vocabulary. This isn’t true. If you can only talk about the weather and very basic subjects, even if you do so fluidly, you’re not fluent. Fluency is about spontaneity across a wide variety of subjects. 

Most adult native speakers have a large vocabulary–a large active vocabulary– in their own language. Therefore, at the very least, I have to have a fairly large passive vocabulary in order to understand what others are saying. Meaningful conversations require that both interlocutors have a large passive vocabulary. Fluency implies two-way communication. You can learn a few phrases and try to express yourself fairly quickly, but the trick is to understand what other people are saying.

I put so much emphasis on listening and reading because these activities build your vocabulary and comprehension. Even if your active vocabulary is not large, your passive vocabulary should be well developed and your potential fluency is high. 

Fluency & Your Personal Needs 

Ultimately, our language goals will depend on our needs. If you have a need to communicate right away because you’re in the country, you’ll have more pressure to achieve spoken fluency more quickly. In my case, far away from where the languages I’m learning are spoken, I’m quite content to let my vocabulary accumulate and prioritize my fluency as a reader and listener. Afterwards, my speaking develops quite quickly. 

Now, there are people who understand the language well, but they’re too shy or inhibited to speak. Perhaps they’re okay with this. Perhaps their reasons for learning the language are more tied to literature or consuming content in the target language.

Ultimately, the level of fluency you need depends on you and what you need to do with the language. If you’re able to enjoy the language as a reader, listener, or speaker, you’re on the right track. There’s no finish line for fluency. You can always improve. The important thing is that you enjoy the process.

That’s all for now. Happy learning!