What is the speech in a foreign language among the majority of our compatriots? First of all, there are many pauses and hesitations, in connection with which the meaning of what was said is often transformed beyond recognition. The inability to express their thoughts and ideas makes citizens even more nervous. And the eternal habit in the mind to pronounce phrases in Russian and only then translate them into the target language turns the conversation into a rather unnatural phenomenon.
The Intermediate level is that stage in language learning that involves a smooth transition from the above features to a more advanced level of foreign speech proficiency. Knowledge of this category is the minimum for most high-paying vacancies. Let's see what exactly the Intermediate level is.
1. Automated application of language grammatical units. This means not just knowledge of the rules, but their competent and unconstrained use in live speech.
2. Extensive vocabulary, frequent use of idioms, phraseological units. Competent replacement of a word with a synonym or definition (explanation) in a foreign language. The ability to clearly articulate your thoughts. The ability to support a conversation of any direction, as well as the ability to enter into an argument, giving competent arguments.
3. Writing: a clear presentation of what is written, the correct use of grammatical phenomena.
4. Unambiguous understanding of the general meaning (content) of the foreign speech heard against the background of the general context.
However, given that this level of knowledge of the language (Intermediate) is only intermediate, it is quite acceptable if in the process of learning there will be small errors (lexical or grammatical errors), and some words will be pronounced with a slight accent.
Having expanded vocabulary, strengthened grammatical knowledge, it is necessary to move on. To consolidate the acquired knowledge that corresponds to the middle category (Intermediate level), native speakers of various languages advise the following:
1. Learn not words, but phrases. It is believed that a group of words, related in meaning, "gets stuck" in memory more firmly. If the meaning of a word is forgotten, then the complete phrase memorized earlier comes to mind. Accordingly, from the general meaning of the phrase, one can assume the translation of a single word.
2. Think in the target language. The Intermediate level implies not only the ability to speak a foreign language - a person must be able and think “in a different way”. Some teachers encourage students to focus their attention not only on phrases, but also on individual - already memorized - words. For example, in the morning think about words like "bed","toothbrush", "breakfast". On the way to work, keep in mind “car”, “work”, “computer”, “colleague”, etc.
This exercise contributes to the rapid development of the ability to think in a foreign language.
3. Talk to yourself, talk out loud in a foreign language. The Intermediate level, the test for which includes checking all language aspects (both written and oral), is the minimum when passing, for example, language state exams. Therefore, it is necessary to work them out as often as possible, not only with the teacher, but also independently. And training in the form of a conversation with yourself is the best way.
