To learn to write in English, work on 4 things: the grammar of written English, your vocabulary, having your work checked, and reading as much as you can. You can follow this plan yourself or give it to anyone you know who is starting out.
English can be a difficult language to learn, and learning to write it is a big step for anyone who takes up the challenge. It can be done, though, with some work, perseverance, and a plan. This article assumes that you already know the English alphabet and can write at least basic sentences.
If you want to learn to write in English, these are the 4 main parts you need to tackle:
- Grammar
- Vocabulary
- Checking your work
- Reading
Grammar
The first part of learning to write in English is learning the grammar rules. This can be difficult, because the written language is usually much more formal than the spoken one. If you learn English by listening to people or by watching television, you probably hear many things that would not be correct in writing.
When you are a beginner, you usually write in English for a specific purpose: a job application, a letter of explanation, a request, or a complaint. Whatever the purpose, write in a more formal way than you would speak if you want to make a good impression.
This will take quite a bit of work, but you can do it by taking classes, and many of them are online, so you don't even have to leave home.
Vocabulary
Growing your vocabulary is the second part. If English is your second language, your English vocabulary is likely to be quite small at first.
To change that, keep a dictionary with you wherever you go, as a book or as an app on your phone. Each time someone uses a word that you don't understand, look it up. It is also a good idea to write the word down on a list. At the end of the day, go through your list and think back to the conversation in which you heard each word. If you can, try to work the new words into your writing. This is how your vocabulary grows. For more ideas, see these ways to improve your vocabulary.
Checking your work
The next important part is to have someone check your work. This is critical: if no one checks your writing, you will never know whether you are writing correctly. You can combine this step with the previous one. When you learn a new word, use it in your writing, and then ask someone who is fluent in English to check that you used it correctly.
You can also run your writing through a spell checker. Spelling is likely to be a problem when you start, and the Spell Checker marks spelling mistakes, explains each one, and also points out many grammar and punctuation mistakes.
Reading
One of the best things you can do to learn English is to read everything you can get your hands on. The more often you see words written in sentences and used correctly, the more natural they will feel when you write.
Read different kinds of texts, too: newspapers, novels, letters, instructions. That way you get to know different styles of writing and learn which one fits which purpose.
It is not easy to learn to write in English, but it can be done. All you need is some hard work, determination, and a plan.