The 5 most important language skills

1. Listening

Listening is a similar skill to reading because you are consuming information, not producing it. And understanding what others say is one of the biggest reasons to learn a language. There are many ways to improve your listening. I suggest watching news in English. News is good because you get to practice listening while you see images at the same time, helping make strong connections in your mind. Of course, listening to English songs and watching movies and series are useful, too; anything you can do to keep your ear full of English sounds.

Here is a simple assessment of listening skills for each level:

• Beginner - Elementary: Can understand a single person talk about a familiar subject.
• Elementary - Intermediate: Can understand a dialogue or conversation about a familiar topic.
• Intermediate to Advanced: Can understand extended conversations or lectures on a variety of topics.
• Advanced to proficiency: Can understand extended conversations, even on topics they are unfamiliar with.

2. Speaking

Speaking is the skill everyone wants to be good at in English. And it is the first skill we are discussing that requires students to produce English, not consume it. The only way to practice speaking is to speak. And if you are not in an English speaking country, practice can be hard. Online video calls with friends is one way to keep your speaking skills sharp. You might also see if there are any English language clubs or meet-ups in your town. If all else fails, talk to yourself. Anything you can do to keep English coming out of your mouth is a good thing.

Here is a simple assessment of speaking skills for each level:

• Beginner - Elementary: Can understand simple sentences with context and time for preparation.
• Elementary to Intermediate: Can understand simple paragraphs with context and time for preparation.
• Intermediate to Advanced: Can understand complex paragraphs with context and time to prepare.
• Advanced to proficiency: Can understand complex paragraphs and extended texts with little context and no preparation.

3. Reading

Reading is arguably the most important language skill to learn. By improving our reading skill, we also increase our vocabulary, learn correct grammar, understand different writing styles, and improve our minds in general. And improving your reading level is one of the easiest ways to improve your English, too. All you need is a book or magazine, and a quiet place. Well, you also need some dedication. The real benefits of practicing reading only grow quickly if you read every day. I suggest Sitting down for some light reading every night for about 30 minutes. Who knows, you might even enjoy it! 

Here is a simple assessment of reading skills for each level:

• Beginner - Elementary: Can understand simple sentences with context and time for preparation.
• Elementary to Intermediate: Can understand simple paragraphs with context and time for preparation.
• Intermediate to Advanced: Can understand complex paragraphs with context and time to prepare.
• Advanced to proficiency: Can understand complex paragraphs and extended texts with little context and no preparation.

4. Writing

Writing is a skill that often gets overlooked. But it is so important because most of the communication we do in English is through writing. We write texts, emails, post, and invitations. We write resumes, CVs, bios and profiles. I like to say that nothing gets done until somebody writes something. But writing can be a challenging skill even in our native languages. So, one thing you can do to improve your English writing skill is to write more in your own language, as well.

Here is a simple assessment of writing skills for each level:

• Beginner - Elementary: Can write basic sentences on familiar topics using simple verb forms..
• Elementary to Intermediate: Can write more complex sentences on familiar topics using perfect and progressive verb forms.
• Intermediate to Advanced: Can write simple paragraphs, using multiple verb forms.
• Advanced to proficiency: Can write more complex paragraphs using linkers and other stylistic devices.

5. Thinking

Your English studies should not be random. These five categories are the important ideas you should be thinking about as you try to improve your language skills. Assess your level in each one, and then find the specific lessons that will help you grow in the area you need. With time and effort, you, too, can become proficient in English.