u/Broad-Ad6367

Cześć wszystkim,

I've been studying polish for five or so years, three of them living in Poland. I have a polish girlfriend, but we mostly speak english. My place of employment is also english only. Most people here speak good english so I'm only really studying for my own sake, because I love learning languages. I guess that's the best motivation anyway.

I've been studying on my own with a great deal of discipline, rarely missing a day without some kind of practice. I mostly read though - I've gone through the Harry Potter series twice. I probably read another five or so books on top of that. So my reading level is high. My conversational skills (hearing and speaking) are worse. I have a polish friend and we speak for an hour online once every two weeks. I realise I've been stuck in a bit of a comfort zone and I need to challenge myself more.

Do you have any ideas for how I can expand my study?

I contemplated starting some course, but I am working odd hours and I don't know if it would be worth it. One thing I will do is take the B1 exam, and then hopefully after passing I will take the B2. My thinking is that this will motivate me to study more.

I just sold my apartment. Currently I'm renting (due to working abroad). I might buy a new apartment within next two years. It all depends if the right one enters the market (and at the right price).

I'm invested in index funds, but now I'm considering what to do with the money leftover from the sale. I can get 4% on my savings account, which is probably more or less what inflation is these days. Most bond funds are performing terribly this year, around 1-2%. I fear that if i invest it in an index fund and the market tanks I could lose the opportunity to buy the apartment.

Any ideas? Thank you.