You are brilliant! You have made it to B1 and are on your way to B2, which is considered by many as FLUENT! Not many learners make it to this level, so good job!
Now, the methods that have gotten you to B1 in Spanish are great, and you can keep using them, but you need to make a slight shift in your priorities.
While before, input was the most important form of study, now you need to up the amount of output you are producing (speaking, pronunciation practice, writing). In this article, we'll go over the methods that I used to get from B1 to B2 in a relatively short amount of time in Spanish.
¿Listo/a? (Ready?)
¿Empecemos! (Let’s start!)
Summary: How To Reach B2 In Spanish
It's highly recommended that you start getting more advanced materials to study from. Whereas before you listened to a ton of content made for learners, now you can start diving into native elementary content and methods.
From my experience, the best methods of getting input at the B1-B2 Stage are:
Reading Simple Books (Such As Cartoons/Anime)
Listening To Spanish Comprehensible Input YouTube Channels
Using ClozeMaster App To Learn New Phrases
Changing Phone Language To Spanish
Getting A Language Partner On HelloTalk/Tandem
Get A Tutor On Italki
Flashcards
Watching Movies/Tv Shows (With Spanish Subtitles)
Listening To Spanish Podcasts While Cooking/Cleaning/Driving
And my favorite methods for getting speaking, pronunciation, and writing practice in the B1-B2 stage are:
Journaling In Spanish Daily (Using Google Translate)
Speaking With A Language Partner Once A Week
Recording Videos Of Yourself Telling Personal Stories
Talking To Chat GPT For Spanish Practice & Lessons
Imitate Videos Of Native Spanish Speakers
In this article we will go over the best materials, and how to leverage them in truly incredible ways so that we can achieve our desired result (B2 level) in the shortest amount of time possible! Let’s start!
What Can You Do With A B2 Level In Spanish?
Once you reach a B2 level, everything changes. Most people are content with this level and stop learning altogether.
B2 is the first level that is considered “truly fluent” because you can have deeper conversations, make friends, travel with ease in a country that speaks the language, etc.
Some other things you can do with a B2 level are:
Speak with natives naturally and fluently
Write and speak naturally about your life, experiences, and perspective on most topics
Read native literature like poetry, books, articles, and newspapers
Understand the majority of movies that are in standard Spanish
Debate, and explain your views on specific subjects including politics, history, etc.
Greet native speakers naturally and fluently without any issues
Have discussions that last hours
Live in a Spanish-speaking country without issues
How Many Hours To Reach B2 In Spanish?
To reach the B2 level it is estimated that you will need approximately 620-675 learning hours completed in total. This means that if you already have a B1 level you will need to study between 240 and 255 hours more.
Below is a table that shows how long it will take you to reach a B2 level based on how long you study every day:
This Table Shows The Total Amount Of Time It Takes (From A1-B2)
Study Time Per Day | Time Until B2 Level Is Reached |
30 Minutes | 3.5-4 Years |
45 Minutes | 2.5 Years |
1 Hour | 20-22 Months |
2 Hours | 10-11 Months |
This Table Shows The Amount Of Time It Will Take To Get From B1-B2
Study Time Per Day | Time Until B2 Level Is Reached |
30 Minutes | 16-17 Months |
45 Minutes | 10-11 Months |
1 Hour | 8-8.5 Months |
2 Hours | 4-4.5 Months |
How Many Words To Reach B2 In Spanish?
It is estimated that you need about a 3,000-word vocabulary to reach B2. Assuming that you are the average B1 learner, this means you’ll need to learn 1,150 more words to reach the B2 level in Spanish.
Below is a graph that demonstrates how many words you need to learn per day - based on the time goals that you chose with the last table shown:
Time Until B2 Level Is Reached | Words Learned Daily |
16-17 Months | 2.5 Words Per Day |
10-11 Months | 3.7 Words Per Day |
8-8.5 Months | 4.6 Words Per Day |
4-4.5 Months | 9 Words Per Day |
Input Study Methods To Reach B2
B1 is the last level where input is much more important than output. Once you reach B2, all of your input will be relatively effortless and enjoyable.
Until then, we have to battle it out just a little bit more.
My favorite methods that got me to the B2 level in Spanish were:
Reading Simple Books
Listening To Comprehensible Input YouTube Channels
Using ClozeMaster (App) To Learn Useful Phrases
Changing Phone Language To Spanish
Getting A Language Partner
Using Flashcards
Watching Movies & Tv Shows With Subtitles In Spanish
Listening To Podcasts While Driving, Cooking, & Cleaning
Journaling In Spanish Daily
Imitating Native Speakers On YouTube For Pronunciation Progress
Writing Personal Stories In Spanish Using New Vocab
Let’s look a little deeper into all of these methods that I utilized to get me to the fluent stage (B2) in Spanish.
Reading Simple Books 📚
The first book that I picked up was an anime-style book. I’m not a big anime fan, but it had lots of pictures, not much text, and it was on Amazon for 8 bucks.
This was extremely helpful because there were still many words and conjugations that I wasn’t familiar with - and the lack of words helped me focus on each one more. This also was the first time that I was able to get lost in a story through the Spanish language, which motivated me a lot.
I would suggest that you get a book that is meant for elementary kids, and read it until you're bored, or until you have learned all of the words and conjugations used in the book.
Listen To Spanish Comprehensible Input YouTube Channels 🧏
This is probably one of the most powerful techniques that exist to get us from B1 to B2. My favorite channels that I used to reach B2 in Spanish are:
Use ClozeMaster To Learn New (And Useful) Phrases 📲
ClozeMaster is a wonderful app that provides us with incredibly useful sentences (most of the time) to learn.
I always use the “Fluency Fast Track” mode and it just shows me these sentences that are missing one word, and it gives me 4 options to choose from to complete the sentence.
It’s kind of like interactive flashcards, it also reads the sentence to you. Pro-tip: when you see sentences that you want to know, screenshot them and study them again later.
Change Your Phone Language To Spanish 📱
Now that you are at the B1 stage I highly recommend that you start using your phone in Spanish. It’s not necessary, but the more you interact with the language, the better. If you want to start using your phone in Spanish follow the directions below to change your phone's language.
To Change Your Phones Language To Spanish:
Go to your settings and type in (or find) Language & Input
Click Languages
Click Add a language
Search for Español
Choose A Country (Doesn't matter which)
If you haven’t yet, it’s time to get a language partner. I have used both of these apps and personally, I like HelloTalk more. HelloTalk is a bit like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram had a baby - and it was designed and used only for language learners.
Tandem, on the other hand, is more like Tinder made a “Language Partner Match-Making App”. Below are some screenshots so you can decide which one looks best for you.
Pro-tip: try and find a language partner that has nearly the same level as you, and that wants to help you as much as they want to get help!
Get A Tutor On Italki (Optional) 👨🏫
If you're willing to pay for some structure, the best tutor site that exists right now (in my opinion) is Italki. With Italki you can choose your tutor based on the country they’re from - so you can learn a specific accent/dialect, and you have an abundance of options.
Another benefit of Italki is that the prices are incredible, you can find tutors for 5-10 bucks an hour! If you click here (affiliate link) you’ll get $10 off your first session (which if you choose the right tutor will make it free). Good luck!
Flashcards (Optional) 📊
At all the CEFR levels before B1/B2 I think that flashcards are kind of a necessary evil, but at these levels, it’s really up to you. If you have a hunger to progress as quickly as possible, and you're willing to eat the glass so to speak, do it!
If you hate flashcards and they make you want to quit studying, nah, find another way to see many words and their translation - like reading a bilingual text.
If you don't already have a favorite flashcard app, check out this article where I showcase the best free ones that have incredible features - such as this one called DuoCards!
Watch Movies/Tv Shows With Spanish Subtitles 📺
Now that you have reached this level, you should definitely start getting some daily native input. I recommend that you watch one episode of a series daily - but it has to interest you.
I am only an A2 in French and I am watching a native series on Netflix, with subtitles I only understand 35% - but I am so interested that it doesn’t matter. Despite my low level, I understand what's going on thanks to other (non-lingual) clues.
This is what you need to do, get addicted to something in Spanish that makes you forget you are watching it in a foreign language.
Listen To Podcasts While You Drive, Clean, Cook, Etc 🚗
One way that I always keep myself immersed when learning a language is by listening to podcasts whenever I can.
While I cook my meals, clean the apartment, or even drive, I’m listening to a podcast. If you are looking for some good Spanish podcasts to listen to, for your level (B1) I would recommend:
Output Methods To Reach B2 🗣
Now that we have talked about the ways you can get input to improve your vocabulary, and ability to produce the language more accurately, let's talk about Output methods to reach B2 in Spanish.
Output is important (especially at this stage) because if you don’t focus on it, your speaking skills will fall far behind.
Personally, I have met people who can understand their target language at a B2 level, but can only communicate at an A2 level!
These are the methods that I used to get my Spanish level to B2:
Journaling In Spanish Daily (Using Google Translate)
Speaking With A Language Partner Once A Week
Recording Videos Of Yourself Telling Personal Stories
Talking To Chat GPT For Spanish Practice & Lessons
Imitate Videos Of Native Spanish Speakers
Let’s take a closer look at each of these approaches and how to maximize the benefits they will have on your level of Spanish!
Journal In Spanish Daily Using Google Translate 📓
When I was at your current level (B1) I began writing my journal 100% in Spanish every day. This helped me get more exposure to the words and conjugations that I use often.
You are saying to yourself “But I can’t write without making mistakes” or “I don’t have the vocabulary for that” - and that may be true.
The way that I started was by using Google Translate - and to be honest, it works better than you’d think! If you are interested in learning the exact method that I have been using for years, click here.
Speak With Language Partner Or Tutor Every Week 👩💼
At the B1 level, you should have a call with a native speaker at least once a week. You don’t have to speak Spanish the whole call, and if it’s a language partner that’s perfect, because you will need to help them in English.
But make sure any questions you have during the week are written down so that you can ask the native speaker when you have your weekly calls.
This will help you get clarification on things that confuse you, it will help you expand your vocabulary by becoming conscious of words you need to learn, and it will motivate you to improve - because you have a native to speak to.
Record Videos Of Yourself Speaking/Reading 🤳
One thing that I did in Spanish that helped me learn new words, is that when I found a word that I wanted to learn, I would add it to a list and once a week I would use that list to write a story.
With this story, I would read it aloud while recording myself with my phone camera and then I would listen to the video a few times.
Not only does this help us see where we are making pronunciation errors, but it also helps us make new vocabulary relevant to our brains, and therefore, easier to acquire.
Talk To Chat GPT (For Corrections & Suggestions) 🗣
Now that we have Chat GPT, I find myself using it a decent amount to progress my French level. You can simply ask the Chatbot “Can we practice my Spanish?” and GPT will respond happily as you see in the picture below.
You can also use Chat GPT to learn new words or grammar. For example, you could say “Can you write me a story using these words (THE WORDS) and the Past Progressive Tense in Spanish?”.
This is an example below:
As you can see, Chat GPT, if used correctly, can create learning materials that are so personalized that you will acquire vocabulary at previously unheard-of speeds.
Imitate Natives To Improve Your Pronunciation 👥
Now that you are at a point of focusing on speech progression, you should work on the accent and rhythm that you speak with. From my experience, the most effective way to do this is by imitating native speakers.
I usually find interviews and I put the speed to .75, and I pause after every sentence is said and I try to say it exactly like the native speaker did.
Anyone with a near-native accent has used this method - trust me, it’s gold!
Conclusion: How To Reach B2 In Spanish ❓❔
If you want to know how to reach the B2 level in Spanish, the answer is - to adapt your study methods from what was an 80% input 20% output ratio, to 65% input and 35% output. At this point, it becomes crucial that you work on speaking and pronunciation.
If we neglect this at the B1 level, we might find ourselves later on with a B2 level in comprehension (understanding) - and an A2 in speaking.
This is a pie chart that shows an approximate percentage of how much time should be spent on each general practice method.
Here are the best methods for getting input.
Reading Simple Books (Such As Cartoons/Anime)
Listening To Spanish Comprehensible Input YouTube Channels
Using ClozeMaster App To Learn New Phrases
Changing Phone Language To Spanish
Getting A Language Partner On HelloTalk/Tandem
Get A Tutor On Italki
Flashcards
Watching Movies/Tv Shows (With Spanish Subtitles)
Listening To Spanish Podcasts While Cooking/Cleaning/Driving
The best methods for getting practice producing (Output) are:
Journaling In Spanish Daily (Using Google Translate)
Speaking With A Language Partner Once A Week
Recording Videos Of Yourself Telling Personal Stories
Talking To Chat GPT For Spanish Practice & Lessons
Imitate Videos Of Native Spanish Speakers
If you want to see some short Spanish lessons click here where I try to make the best comprehensive grammar and vocabulary lessons for you.
Have a great day/evening/night!
- Ben