LanguageCert B1 Achiever study plan
LanguageCert B1 Achiever · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 7 hours per week
Listening & Reading
Map the Listening and Reading task types and note what each one asks you to do (gist, detail, inference, matching)
Build a personal vocabulary log of 60 high-frequency B1 words drawn from news headlines and short articles, recording word, meaning and one original sentence
Complete two short listening texts (2-3 minutes each) and write down the exact words that signalled the answer
Time yourself on one Reading section and record minutes per task to find your slowest task type
Your checkpoint
A one-page task map plus a 60-word vocabulary log with original example sentences
Listening & Reading
Practise predicting content from the first sentence of six short recordings before listening
Identify distractors in multiple-choice listening by writing why each wrong option is wrong
Skim three 300-word texts in 90 seconds each and write a one-sentence summary of each
Scan for specific details (numbers, names, dates) in four texts under a two-minute limit
Your checkpoint
Six completed prediction-and-check listening exercises with written distractor notes
Writing & Listening
Write three informal emails of 100-120 words using a clear opening, purpose sentence and closing
Use five linking words (however, although, therefore, in addition, whereas) correctly in your own sentences
Listen to four short dialogues and transcribe the key sentence that answers each question
Self-edit one piece of writing against a checklist of tense, agreement and spelling errors
Your checkpoint
Three corrected emails of 100-120 words each with a filled-in self-edit checklist
Writing & Reading
Write two short formal messages (a complaint and a request) of about 100 words with an appropriate register
Plan a 120-word opinion piece in five minutes using a three-point outline
Read four texts and answer detail questions without re-reading the whole passage
Reduce your average Reading task time by at least 20 seconds compared with week 1
Your checkpoint
A timed mock of one full Reading section with a score and time log
Speaking & Listening
Record yourself answering ten common B1 speaking questions and note hesitations and fillers
Practise a two-minute monologue on a familiar topic using a picture-description structure (what, where, why it matters)
Re-record three answers to cut filler words by half
Listen to three recordings and note the speaker's tone (happy, doubtful, annoyed) with the words that show it
Your checkpoint
A folder of ten recorded answers with a before-and-after filler count
Speaking & Writing
Hold a five-minute role-play conversation covering asking for and giving information
Write a 120-word story or description using past tenses consistently
Practise asking three follow-up questions in response to a short prompt
Speak for 90 seconds on an unseen topic with only 30 seconds of preparation
Your checkpoint
One recorded five-minute role-play plus a 120-word written description
Listening & Reading & Writing & Speaking
Complete one full timed mock under exam conditions and record section scores
List your three weakest task types and write a specific fix for each
Re-do the two weakest tasks and compare the new result with the mock
Review your vocabulary log and mark the 30 words you still cannot use actively
Your checkpoint
A full mock score sheet with a ranked weakness list and fixes
Listening & Reading & Writing & Speaking
Repeat the full mock and compare section scores with week 7
Drill only the task types still below target, 20 minutes each
Rehearse the speaking test flow twice end to end without stopping
Write one final email and one final opinion piece and self-mark against the checklist
Your checkpoint
A second mock score sheet showing improvement and a final one-page revision sheet
Milestones
Week 2: You can state the purpose of every Listening and Reading task type and score at least 60% on two short practice sets
Week 4: You complete one full Reading section within the time limit and write three emails that pass your own checklist with no more than two errors each
Week 6: You speak for 90 seconds with fewer than five filler words and write 120 words with consistent past tenses
Week 8: Your second full mock shows a higher total than the week 7 mock, and no single section is below 60%