4 'Simple' Things I do to improve my writing skill (Part 1)

Yesterday, I noticed that one member left a comment on one of my blog posts. On the blog post, I shared about my blogging experience on MyEC. He asked me: Ranu, can you share me a tip on how you started?

Well, I know that I'm not an excellent writer and I'm still learning to write in English. But, since we are here to learn English, I think that we can share our learning experiences. So, we can take benefits from other experiences.

I started to blog several years ago. And my journey wasn't smooth. I hobbled in my journey, and often desperate. So, after I take a look at my past, I conclude several things that help me write in English.

Choose good grammar books
Read and write English articles daily
Maximize tools that you have
Ask for correction

I want to explain these tips as detail as I can. But, I'm afraid that my article becomes too long and make you feel boring. So, I decide to split it into 4 series. Here, the number one:

Choose good grammar books

There is a sad news, friends. There is no shortcut to develop our writing ability. We should learn English grammar. And it means we should read English grammar books.

I remember the first thing that appeared in my mind when I thought about an English grammar book. A thick and boring book full of explanations that I couldn't hardly understand. Well, I still think in that way.

However, not all of English grammar books are boring. You only need to find several good grammar books. My first favorite grammar book was "When Bad Grammar Happens to Good People." It was written by Ann Batko.

The book addresses some tricky grammar rules that not only trap us, English learners, but also trap native English speakers who have been learning English for their entire life. Ann Batko explained those in funny ways. The book also contains a lot of exercises and answer keys.

My new favorite grammar book is Essential English Grammar in Use written by Raymond Murphy. I knew this book for the first time from Tanya, our friend on EC who also an English teacher. This book actually for elementary students. But, I recommend this book for people who just start to learn English grammar.

Read these English grammar books and try to do exercices that are provided by the books.

So, my friends, have you known or read one of these books? Or maybe you have another suggestions, just let me know.

PS: If you find mistakes on my article, please don't hesitate to correct them.

My dear friend,

I like to read your writing and want to share you the experiences while Learning to speak English and we have already known that English is an important skill to acquire for many people in the world today. It is the first or second language spoken in many countries around the globe. There are several techniques the English-language learner can employ to improve his language skills. Setting goals for improving English language skills will help the learner to become a successful speaker and conversationalist.

I copy someone research about how to learn English properly.

To set the goals to improve English.

1) Reading

Read as much as you can. But your reading must be active. It means that you must think about the structure, unfamiliar words etc as you read

Listening

As for listening, there are two options:

Aside from reading, you can listen every day for about 30 minutes.
You can only concentrate on your reading and become skillful at your reading, then you can catch up on your listening.

Learn and study phrases

Many students learn vocabulary and try to put many words together to create a proper sentence. It amazes me how many words some of my students know, but they cannot create a proper sentence. The reason is because they didn't study phrases. When children learn a language, they learn both words and phrases together. Likewise, you need to study and learn phrases.

Don't translate

When you want to create an English sentence, do not translate the words from your Mother tongue. The order of words is probably completely different and you will be both slow and incorrect by doing this. Instead, learn phrases and sentences so you don't have to think about the words you are saying. It should be automatic.
Reading and Listening is NOT enough. Practice Speaking what you hear!

Reading, listening, and speaking are the most important aspects of any language. The same is true for English. However, speaking is the only requirement to be fluent. It is normal for babies and children to learn speaking first, become fluent, then start reading, then writing. So the natural order is listening, speaking, reading, then writing

5 Speaking Rules you need to know!

Message:

Don't study grammar

This rule might sound strange to many ESL students, but it is one of the most important rules. If you want to pass examinations, then study grammar. However, if you want to become fluent in English, then you should try to learn English without studying the grammar.

Study correct material

A common phrase that is incorrect is, "Practice makes perfect." This is far from the truth. Practice only makes what you are practicing permanent. If you practice the incorrect sentence, you will have perfected saying the sentence incorrectly. Therefore, it is important that you study material that is commonly used by most people.

In short, study English material that you can trust, that is commonly used, and that is correct

I hope the methods will help you to improve your English.

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Comments

Ario November 23, 2011 23:14

@Fatimah

thank for your comment. Your tips are familiar and I agree with them.
Fatimah November 20, 2011 4:57

My dear friend,

I like to read your writing and want to share you the experiences while Learning to speak English and we have already known that English is an important skill to acquire for many people in the world today. It is the first or second language spoken in many countries around the globe. There are several techniques the English-language learner can employ to improve his language skills. Setting goals for improving English language skills will help the learner to become a successful speaker and conversationalist.

I copy someone research about how to learn English properly.

To set the goals to improve English.

1) Reading

Read as much as you can. But your reading must be active. It means that you must think about the structure, unfamiliar words etc as you read

Listening

As for listening, there are two options:

Aside from reading, you can listen every day for about 30 minutes.
You can only concentrate on your reading and become skillful at your reading, then you can catch up on your listening.

Learn and study phrases

Many students learn vocabulary and try to put many words together to create a proper sentence. It amazes me how many words some of my students know, but they cannot create a proper sentence. The reason is because they didn't study phrases. When children learn a language, they learn both words and phrases together. Likewise, you need to study and learn phrases.

Don't translate

When you want to create an English sentence, do not translate the words from your Mother tongue. The order of words is probably completely different and you will be both slow and incorrect by doing this. Instead, learn phrases and sentences so you don't have to think about the words you are saying. It should be automatic.
Reading and Listening is NOT enough. Practice Speaking what you hear!

Reading, listening, and speaking are the most important aspects of any language. The same is true for English. However, speaking is the only requirement to be fluent. It is normal for babies and children to learn speaking first, become fluent, then start reading, then writing. So the natural order is listening, speaking, reading, then writing

5 Speaking Rules you need to know!

Message:

Don't study grammar

This rule might sound strange to many ESL students, but it is one of the most important rules. If you want to pass examinations, then study grammar. However, if you want to become fluent in English, then you should try to learn English without studying the grammar.

Study correct material

A common phrase that is incorrect is, "Practice makes perfect." This is far from the truth. Practice only makes what you are practicing permanent. If you practice the incorrect sentence, you will have perfected saying the sentence incorrectly. Therefore, it is important that you study material that is commonly used by most people.

In short, study English material that you can trust, that is commonly used, and that is correct

I hope the methods will help you to improve your English.
Ario October 6, 2011 13:13

@ Rose

You're welcome, Rose..and thank for your comment.

@Lamiye

Did you mean 1st and 2nd edition? I know that there are various series of this book. But, I haven't even finished the book that I have, lol. Thank for your comment, Lamiye.
Lamiye October 4, 2011 20:03

I have Essential grammar in use 1st and 2nd part,by Murphy.This is my favourite book too.I usually use it at school.

Thanks for share this blog
Ario June 19, 2011 18:15

@ Sekily,

Thank Sekily..it's nice to know I did something useful.

@ Oksana

Thank for the link...that's useful one..you are always be helpful here...:)

@Meny

Thank Meny for your comment..
Oksana June 11, 2011 10:35

Short but accurate explanation of the English Grammar on Wiki - see this link. All the grammar on one page! :)
Oksana June 10, 2011 9:00

We are all in the yellow submarine, yellow submarine, yellow submarine... :D:D:D (The Beatles)
Ilyas June 10, 2011 7:07

thank you too Ranu you did help me by your blog, by giving to the members of EC the opportunity to comment and to discuss the topic that you put thanks again to you and To Oksana.
Ario June 10, 2011 6:46

@ Oksana

It's great to see you help the other, Oksana. It's nice to see you keep coming back and left valuable comments here. :D

@Sekily

Thank for your time to read my blog. I hope the two books will be helpful for you.
Oksana June 9, 2011 23:12

=)

You are welcome, sekily!

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