PeterMollenburg wrote:Cavesa wrote:We need to read at least 10000 pages to get to the really good level, sometimes 15000, or 20 or more. The numbers may vary, but I have yet to read a success story around here with just a few books and the same end level.
I’m beyond B2 while very likely under 5000 pages. If not under, then very little beyond 5000. Does this break your criteria? Still, I do agree, more pages will assist in elevating my level further.
I was at B2 having read just one thin book in French. The numbers like 10000 or 15000 are more for the C levels, I'd say. At least in the relatively "easy" languages, I can't talk about Mandarin, Arabic, etc.
In general, I think you can easily get to B1 without any normal input, just with courses. That's what most learners in classes do. It is a bit harder but definitely doable with the B2 level, I doubt most people in classes add tons of non-coursebookish exposure to their routine.