Are You Fluent in English? Find Out!

Ever wondered what it really means to be fluent in English? Spoiler alert, it's not just about knowing all the words.

If you don't know me, my name is Anna. I'm the founder of Englishlikeanative.co.uk, an online English school focused on fluency.

and pronunciation.

Today, I'm breaking down the 10

markers of true fluency? If you can answer yes to the following 10 questions then you, my friend, are

fluent.

so let's jump right in number one

1. Understand and respond without hesitation. Can you instantly understand what you hear and respond

automatically without hesitation or power.

panic. As a fluent speaker, you don't need to translate in your head before speaking or understanding English. It feels natural and natural.

automatic. 2. Understanding jokes and humour. Can you understand and join in on jokes and humour in English?

Do you enjoy watching stand-up comedians performing in English?

For British English learners, this includes understanding sarcasm, which is a key part of British humour.

For example, I walk into the room soaking wet from the rain and someone smiles and says, Oh!

Is it raining outside? This is not a genuine question.

They are trying to be free.

funny. You could respond with, It's just a bit of drizzle. You are not being serious here. This is

sarcasm. 3. Interpreting implicit meaning

Can you read between the lines? Here's an example. Oh, great.

another meeting

What does this mean? Is Anna pleased that she has another meeting?

Is Anna agitated that she has another meeting or is Anna indifferent about the fact that she has another

meeting? As a fluent speaker, you don't just understand the literal meaning of words, you can catch the subtle hints and

nuances too, even though the words, "oh great" are positive

you instantly get that Anna was being sarcastic and isn't actually excited about the meeting. Fluency means that you can read.

between the lines and understand these implicit meanings.

including sarcasm and idioms. It's about grasping the true intent behind the words, not just the words themselves.

Number four, comfortable in various situations.

As a fluent speaker, you feel at ease using English in different situations without

feeling self-conscious.

you're giving a presentation at work, chatting with friends in a cafe or asking for directions in a new city.

you navigate these scenarios confidently and naturally.

you're not

constantly worried about making mistakes, you can focus on the conversation itself.

Thinking in

English. You know you're fluent when you start

thinking in English rather than translating from your native language.

For instance, when planning your day, you might find yourself mentally listing your tasks in English by groceries.

Finish the report.

Call mum. this shift means your brain is processing information directly in English making

your thoughts and speech more fluid.

Does that sound like you? Number six, understanding various

accents. Can you understand various accents of English? Fluency

also means that you can understand different accents and dialects, whether it's Scouse, Cockney,

or Lancashire or an English accent from another part of the globe. You can follow conversations without getting lost.

This skill allows you to connect with English speakers from all over the world, broadening your communication horizons.

7. Using idiomatic expressions

Do you?

use idiomatic expressions?

As a fluent speaker, idiomatic expressions become a natural part of your conversation.

instead of saying I'm busy you might say I'm swamped

or when someone is exaggerating, you might respond with, You're pulling my leg.

These expressions add colour to your speech and make you sound more...

like a native speaker. Number eight reading with ease.

Can you easily read a newspaper article a...

novel, and a technical report related to your

work. Fluency means you can read English texts of various genres and complexities

easily. Whether it's diving into a gripping novel, staying updated with news articles or enjoying a blog post, you read what you want to read.

with ease and understand the content without needing to look up every other word. Number nine, engaging in...

complex conversations. Can you engage in complex conversations? Being fluent means you can participate in complex and

nuanced conversations without struggling to keep up. Whether it's a deep discussion about politics,

a debate on environmental issues, or a technical conversation about your field of work. You can follow along, contribute, and share your thoughts.

Contribute meaningfully and express your thoughts clearly.

And before I reveal the last one, if you're enjoying your time here with me, then please click the like button.

that will really help me out. And subscribe for more useful English content. Thank you.

Number 10, learning new words now.

Naturally as a fluent English speaker you pick up new vocabulary through context

and you.

rather than direct study. When you encounter a new word in a conversation, a book,

or a TV show, you can often guess its meaning from the...

context and remember it for future use.

This natural acquisition process helps expand your vocabulary continuously. Is it something that you do?

already? Now I want you to let me know in the comments which of these 10 aspects are true for

you? And what do you still need to work on?

Now if fluency is a serious goal, then you should be using the four-step strategy to achieving fluency

I explain this strategy and more in my Fluency Masterclass. You can register your interest to attend the next one by clicking the link in the description.

But now here are some simple tips to help you on your

journey. First, immerse yourself. When I speak to learners that are struggling to

progress, they often tell me that they are only doing one type of learning activity.

they are only watching videos, they are just reading textbooks.

or they only use one

app. One thing is not

Enough! Surround yourself with English. Watch films, read books, listen to podcasts.

And try to think in English. Practice speaking.

You can study English for years, but if you never speak the language, then...

What's the point? These days, the internet has made it possible for us all to practice

speaking. So, find language exchange partners, join my conversation club, or even have endless conversations with my clone.

I'll leave links in the description.

The more you practice, the more natural it becomes.

Learn idioms

slang, collocations and phrasal verbs. Nobody wants to sound like a textbook so learn the lingo that is in common

use. Idioms and phrasal verbs are used frequently in everyday conversations, socially and professionally. Be

patient. Fluency takes time and

continuous effort so focus on enjoying the journey and celebrate your progress no matter how

Thank you for watching.