What you can do at B2
You understand the main ideas of complex texts on concrete and abstract topics, including in your field. You speak fluently and spontaneously enough to talk with native speakers without strain on either side, and can explain your viewpoint in detail.
Which words to learn for B2
- Arguments: agreeing and disagreeing
- Work: meetings, emails, projects
- Society, environment, technology
- Phrasal verbs and set expressions
- Abstract words: cause, impact, consequence
- Shades of meaning between synonyms
Start with the most frequent words in these topics: they show up in every text and conversation and give you the most value.
How long it takes to reach B2
At 10 new words a day you build an B2 vocabulary in about 12.5 months, at 20 words a day in about 6.5 months. What matters is that the words stay: that is what spaced repetition is for.
According to Cambridge English, reaching B2 from zero takes about 500–600 guided learning hours. It is a guideline: daily practice on your own makes the path shorter.
→ How long does it take to learn a language to B1 and B2?
How to move to the next level
Grow the vocabulary of your own field, read original articles and books, watch films without adaptation. Pay attention to nuance and register: formal and informal.
How to build an B2 vocabulary in NewLexi
- Cards on request. Ask the app to generate “B2 vocabulary on the environment and technology”, and NewLexi builds cards for your level.
- A daily plan. Every day a portion of new words and reviews of the ones due, with no overload.
- Context. B2 stories and dialogues are written just for you from your words, so they move into your active vocabulary.
FAQ
How many words do you need for B2?
About 3,250–3,750 words (Milton and Alexiou, 2009). These are words you recognise when reading; your active vocabulary is usually smaller.
How long does it take to learn B2 vocabulary?
About 12.5 months at 10 new words a day, or about 6.5 months at 20 words a day, if you review them with spaced repetition.
Sources
- Milton, J., & Alexiou, T. (2009). Vocabulary size and the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. In Vocabulary Studies in First and Second Language Acquisition (pp. 194–211). Palgrave Macmillan. doi.org/10.1057/9780230242258_12
- Cambridge English. Guided learning hours. support.cambridgeenglish.org/hc/en-gb/articles/202838506-Guided-learning-hours
- Council of Europe. Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR): global scale. www.coe.int/en/web/common-european-framework-reference-languages/table-1-cefr-3.3-common-reference-levels-global-scale
