10 GREAT Tips to Improve English Writing Skills for non-native English speakers

Advanced English Vocabulary

22 Feb 202322:00

EducationalLearning

32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRHarry's advanced English lesson focuses on improving writing skills, emphasizing the distinction between speaking and writing. He advises starting with simple sentences and building up complexity, correcting grammar, and reading modern English literature to understand sentence structure and style. Keeping a diary helps practice, and 'sentence mining' can improve vocabulary. Avoiding direct translation from one's native language and thinking in English enhances fluency. Writing for a specific audience, using appropriate language register, and planning the structure before writing are crucial. Reviewing written work after a break helps catch errors. Harry suggests possibly taking an English class for structured learning and practice. His 10-point plan is designed to enhance writing skills through practice, correction, and reading, ultimately leading to more confident and error-free writing.

Takeaways

📝 Start with short and simple sentences to build a strong foundation in writing.
🧐 Focus on correct grammar and eliminate mistakes to enhance the quality of your writing.
📚 Read extensively to understand sentence structures and the nuances of written English.
🗒️ Keep a diary to practice writing regularly and develop a habit of recording observations.
🔍 Practice sentence mining to discover and utilize interesting collocations and sentence structures.
🚫 Avoid translating from your native language to English directly to prevent unnatural phrasing.
🎯 Be aware of your audience and adjust the formality and tone of your writing accordingly.
✉️ Pay attention to the structure of your writing, including a clear introduction, body, and conclusion.
⏱️ Take time to review your writing before sending it out to ensure clarity and correctness.
📈 Consider taking an English class to receive professional feedback and guidance on your writing.
🤓 Embrace making mistakes in your writing as a part of the learning process and use them for improvement.

Q & A

What is the main focus of today's English lesson with Harry?
-The main focus of today's lesson is to provide strategies and tips on how to improve writing skills in English.
Why are speaking and writing considered as two different skill sets?
-Speaking and writing are different because when speaking, mistakes are often quickly forgotten, whereas written mistakes are more noticeable as they remain on record and can be read multiple times.
What are the two platforms mentioned that can help improve writing skills?
-The two platforms mentioned are Google Translate and Grammarly.
Why should one be careful when using Google Translate for writing in English?
-One should be careful with Google Translate because it provides literal translations, which may not be appropriate in context and can lead to incorrect or awkward phrasing in English.
What is Harry's recommendation regarding the use of Grammarly?
-Harry recommends not to rely solely on Grammarly, but to make mistakes and learn from corrections provided by a professional teacher, as this helps with better retention and understanding.
What is the first point of Harry's 10-point plan to improve writing skills?
-The first point of the plan is to start with short and simple sentences to build a strong foundation in writing before moving on to more complex structures.
Why is focusing on grammar important when trying to improve written English?
-Focusing on grammar is important because eliminating grammar mistakes allows for the construction of more complex sentences and enhances the overall quality of written English.
What is the significance of reading in improving one's writing skills?
-Reading helps to understand sentence structures, the difference between written and spoken formats, and how to vary sentence beginnings for better reader engagement and to avoid repetition.
What does Harry suggest for practicing writing in English?
-Harry suggests keeping a diary to practice writing short stories or daily experiences in English, which helps to get used to writing regularly.
What is the term 'sentence mining' referring to?
-Sentence mining refers to the practice of finding and recording interesting collocations, groups of words, or sentence combinations that can be used advantageously in one's writing.
Why should one avoid translating from their native language when writing in English?
-Avoiding translation from the native language prevents hesitation, incorrect word usage, and lack of fluency. Thinking in English leads to better adoption of the language's structure and collocations.
What is the importance of being aware of the audience when writing?
-Being aware of the audience is crucial because it helps to determine the appropriate level of formality, the tone, and the structure of the writing, ensuring the message is effectively communicated to the intended reader.
What is the advice given for ensuring a structured approach to writing?
-The advice is to plan the writing before starting, considering the purpose, the audience, the tone (formal or informal), and the structure (introduction, body, and conclusion), which helps in producing a well-organized and clear written piece.
Why is it suggested to take a break after writing something like a letter of complaint?
-Taking a break allows for a fresh perspective when reviewing the written piece. This practice helps to ensure that the tone and content are appropriate and that any mistakes can be identified and corrected before sending.
What is the role of an English class in improving one's writing skills?
-An English class provides a structured learning environment, access to a teacher for feedback and correction, and assignments that can help identify and address specific weaknesses in writing.
How does making mistakes in the learning process contribute to improving writing skills?
-Making mistakes is an essential part of the learning process. It allows learners to identify areas for improvement, receive corrections, and thus, gradually refine their writing skills.

Outlines

00:00

📝 Improving Writing Skills with English Lessons

Harry introduces the topic of enhancing writing skills in English, emphasizing the distinction between speaking and writing. He cautions about the permanence of written communication and the need for accuracy and clarity to avoid misinterpretation. Harry also mentions the use of tools like Google Translate and Grammarly, advising caution as they might not always provide the most suitable translations or corrections.

05:04

📚 Starting with Basics and Reading for Structure

The second paragraph focuses on the importance of starting with simple sentences and gradually building complexity. Harry advises on focusing on grammar and reading extensively to understand sentence structures. He also recommends keeping a diary to practice writing and engaging in 'sentence mining' to capture interesting phrases for future use. The paragraph concludes with a warning to avoid translating from one's native language to English, which can hinder fluency.

10:07

🤔 Thinking in English and Considering Your Audience

Harry discusses the importance of thinking in English to improve writing speed and accuracy. He encourages considering the audience when writing, especially in a business context, and imagining that the most senior person will read the document. The paragraph also touches on the significance of language register, whether formal or informal, and the need to be conscious of the level of formality in writing.

15:10

📖 Structuring Your Writing and Revising Before Sending

The fourth paragraph delves into the necessity of planning the structure of a written piece before beginning. Harry provides an example of writing a complaint letter, outlining the steps from introduction to specifying complaints and desired outcomes. He also suggests taking a break after writing and then revisiting the text for revisions, highlighting the importance of proofreading, especially for critical documents like job applications.

20:13

🏫 Taking Classes and Embracing Mistakes for Growth

In the final paragraph, Harry recommends taking an English class to work on writing skills and receiving feedback from a teacher. He talks about the process of starting with simple exercises and gradually introducing more complex tasks to improve writing. Harry encourages making mistakes and learning from them, stressing that it's a critical part of improving one's writing. He concludes with an invitation for further questions and to join future lessons.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Writing Skills

Writing skills refer to the ability to effectively communicate thoughts and ideas in written form. In the video, Harry emphasizes the importance of these skills, especially in contrast to speaking skills, as written words are often recorded and can be scrutinized for accuracy and clarity. For example, Harry mentions that 'speaking and writing skills are very, very different' and provides a 10-point plan to improve writing skills.

💡Accuracy

Accuracy in writing involves using correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation. It is highlighted as a critical aspect of written communication because written words have a lasting impact and can be reviewed multiple times. Harry stresses that 'we really have to be more accurate, we have to be accurate with our spelling, punctuation', which underscores the need for precision in written English.

💡Formal and Informal Language

Formal and informal language pertain to the level of politeness and the context in which language is used. Harry discusses the need to be aware of the audience and the setting when writing, as this determines the appropriateness of language. He advises, 'be aware and focused on the level or lack of formality, in your written papers', which means one must adjust their language to suit business, academic, or personal contexts.

💡Google Translate

Google Translate is an online service that translates text from one language to another. Harry cautions against relying on Google Translate for writing, as it provides literal translations that may not convey the intended meaning in English. He warns that 'particularly with Google Translate, it will give you a literal translation', which can lead to misuse of synonyms and awkward phrasing.

💡Grammarly

Grammarly is a writing assistant tool that checks for grammar, punctuation, and style errors. While Harry acknowledges its usefulness, he also points out that it's not infallible and can sometimes provide incorrect suggestions. He advises learners to be cautious and not to rely solely on tools like Grammarly, as they may not catch all nuances of language use.

💡Sentence Mining

Sentence mining is the practice of identifying, recording, and analyzing sentences or phrases that are well-constructed or particularly interesting. Harry suggests that learners should engage in sentence mining to 'find interesting collocations, find interesting groups of words, find interesting combinations and sentences', which can later be used to enhance their own writing.

💡Thinking in English

Thinking in English refers to the process of formulating thoughts and ideas directly in English rather than translating from one's native language. Harry encourages learners to 'try to think in English' to improve fluency and avoid the pitfalls of direct translation. He notes that this approach can lead to more natural and accurate English writing.

💡Short and Simple Sentences

Harry recommends starting with short and simple sentences as a foundational step in writing. This approach helps learners gain control over sentence structure and reduce grammatical errors. He uses the acronym KISS (Keep It Simple and Straightforward) to emphasize the value of simplicity in clear communication, especially for those who are still developing their writing skills.

💡Reading

Reading is presented as a vital activity for improving writing skills. By reading widely, learners can observe sentence structures, understand written versus spoken formats, and learn to vary their writing style. Harry suggests reading modern English literature to 'see how authors do it' and to become familiar with contemporary language use.

💡Diary Writing

Keeping a diary is proposed as a method for practicing writing in English. Writing daily entries helps learners to get accustomed to the act of writing and to record observations or experiences in English. Harry mentions that a diary can consist of 'a few sentences about what you do every day' or descriptions of daily life, which serves as a practical exercise in writing.

💡Avoiding Repetition

Avoiding repetition is a key aspect of effective writing that contributes to clarity and interest. Harry discusses the issue of repetition in writing, noting that it often stems from a limited vocabulary. He suggests expanding one's lexicon with the help of a teacher to 'use other words, other expressions' that can articulate ideas more precisely and avoid monotonous language.

Highlights

Harry emphasizes the importance of improving writing skills, noting the difference between speaking and writing.

Writing is more permanent and mistakes are more noticeable compared to speaking.

Harry recommends starting with short and simple sentences to build a strong writing foundation.

Focusing on grammar is crucial to avoid mistakes that can hinder the quality of written English.

Reading frequently helps understand sentence structure and the nuances of written versus spoken English.

Keeping a diary is an effective way to practice writing and get accustomed to the writing process.

Sentence mining involves capturing interesting sentences or word combinations for future use.

Avoid translating from your native language to English to prevent hesitation and incorrect word usage.

Being aware of the audience is essential for tailoring the writing style and language register.

Harry advises thinking in English to improve fluency and reduce the time taken to write.

The importance of considering the structure before writing to ensure clarity and coherence.

Allowing time to review written work before sending it out to catch and correct mistakes.

Taking an English class can provide valuable feedback and guidance to improve writing skills.

Harry suggests making mistakes during lessons as a way to learn and improve writing.

Expanding vocabulary is key to reducing repetition and enhancing the quality of writing.

Harry offers his assistance for further help and invites students to join him for the next lesson.

Transcripts

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Related Tags

English Writing Grammar Tips Sentence Structure Writing Skills Avoid Mistakes Learning English Business Writing Formal Writing Educational Content Language Learning Harry's Lessons