We often think that the main priorities in learning a language are speaking and listening. After all, both of these allow us to communicate on a daily basis with other people. But writing is an important communication tool as well. For example, you might want to be able to write an email to an English friend or colleague, or create a work report in English.
So how can you practise your writing skills? Well, if you have a friend or colleague who is a native English speaker, write to them in English as much as you can. If you know them really well and they have the time, you could also ask them to correct your mistakes. Furthermore, if they are learning your language, or you have another skill you could help them with, this can be a great exchange.
If you are already at a level where you are able to write reports in English for work, get a native speaker to take a look at your English if at all possible. If your workplace has a proofreader, don’t hesitate to give them your work to look at before you send it off. This is a win-win situation – if there are no, or few, mistakes you can pat yourself on the back and be confident that your report has good readability. If there are more than a few mistakes, treat it as a free lesson and try to work out why you made the mistakes (are you thinking too much in your own language, getting words confused, not clear about a particular grammar concept…? etc.). You can also make a list of new vocabulary or grammar for when you have the time to learn more.
Other ways of practising your English writing include:
- making a to-do list or shopping list;
- keeping a diary;
- writing a short story;
- translating a story, song, or poem from your own language.
Even if you don’t have anyone to check your accuracy, you can always write to the best of your ability and then look back on your work in a few months’ time when your English has improved. You may then be able to correct yourself… and how satisfying is that?
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