Why Your English Isn’t Improving- The Intermediate Plateau
Do you ever feel like your English is just... stuck?
You’re not a beginner anymore, but fluency still feels far away. You practise regularly, you speak when you can, you study vocabulary—but it feels like you’re not making progress in English.
That frustrating stage is called the intermediate plateau, and if it makes you want to give up, you're definitely not alone. Almost every language learner hits this wall. But the good news? There are ways to break through the intermediate plateau and start feeling confident again.
In this post, we’ll explore why your English isn’t improving—and more importantly, what you can do to keep moving forward.
Why Do Intermediate Learners Feel Stuck?
When you first start learning a new language, everything feels exciting. Every word, every expression, every conversation feels like a milestone. I'm learning Mandarin right now, and I’m still riding that wave—everything feels new, and I feel motivated because I’m making fast progress.
But eventually, that momentum slows down.
Once you reach intermediate English level, progress becomes harder to notice. You might feel like you're not improving, even though you're putting in the time. This is completely normal—and totally fixable.
What Causes the English Learning Plateau?
Here are a few common reasons you might feel stuck:
1. The Vocabulary Gap
The first 100 words in English can help you understand about 50% of daily conversations. But to reach 98% comprehension, you need to know around 10,000 English words. That’s a big leap. As your level increases, the vocabulary you need appears less frequently, making it harder to learn new words naturally.
Looking for ways to expand your English vocabulary at this stage is key.
2. Forgetting What You’ve Learned
Without regular use, especially in speaking and writing, your brain starts to forget things. Many learners have what we call passive knowledge—words they recognise but can’t confidently use.
3. Only Focusing on One Skill
You might be watching TV in English (great!), but are you speaking or writing too? To improve English fluency, it’s important to use a mix of skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
How to Get Unstuck and Keep Improving
If you feel like you’ve hit a wall, here are some of my favourite tips for intermediate English learners:
1. Think in English
This is a powerful way to boost fluency. Instead of translating in your head, start forming thoughts in English. Narrate your day aloud for 5–10 minutes, or describe what you see around you.
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2. Go Beyond Textbook English
If you want to speak English more naturally, it’s time to let go of safe, simple phrases and learn collocations, idioms, and phrasal verbs in context.
Example: Instead of “I don’t know,” say, “I’m not sure off the top of my head.”
Using real, everyday language helps you sound more fluent and feel more confident.
3. Practise Messy Speaking
Fluency doesn’t mean speaking perfectly. It means communicating clearly, even if you make mistakes. Stop aiming for perfection and give yourself permission to speak English confidently, even when it’s messy.
4. Step Outside Your Comfort Zone
Challenge yourself to speak about new topics that interest you—whether that’s mental health, sustainability, or art. If it matters to you, it’s worth learning to talk about it in English.
5. Speak More Often—even Alone
It’s great to watch Netflix in English, but practising speaking English on your own is just as important. Talk to yourself, record voice notes, or journal daily. You can also:
Join conversation classes
Leave comments in English on social media
Chat with a language partner
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6. Use Shadowing Techniques
Shadowing is a fantastic technique for improving pronunciation, rhythm, and intonation. Find a video or podcast you enjoy, and repeat after the speaker, copying their tone and speed.
Choose someone you relate to—it makes it easier and more enjoyable.
7. Learn to Paraphrase
When you forget a word, try describing it. This skill helps you keep the conversation going and builds your confidence. You can also summarise a short article or video out loud in your own words—another excellent way to practise speaking naturally.
8. Track Your Progress
Keep a learning journal, record monthly speaking videos, or set weekly goals. For example, learn 10 new expressions and use them in conversation. Having a record of your growth keeps you motivated—especially when it feels like you’re not improving.
9. Enjoy the Process
It’s easy to get caught up in results. But the key to long-term success is finding pleasure in learning English. Follow creators you like, watch comedy, play word games—do whatever keeps you curious and engaged.
Remember: it’s not about perfect English. It’s about effective communication and enjoying the journey. You’re not stuck—you’re in the process of moving forward slowly, and that still counts as progress.