Boost Your English Writing Abilities with These 5 Proven Tips

Abiodun Ajayi
4 min readDec 13, 2023

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Learning a new language while improving your writing abilities in that language can be challenging. Learning a language, such as English, takes time and consistent effort. Learning a new language may be difficult for many individuals, even Americans.

Non-native speakers frequently face challenges while striving to improve their writing skills. Furthermore, as authors, they may find it unpleasant when they are unable to correctly portray their intended point.

In this article, we go over 6 tips to get better at English writing as a non-native speaker.

1. Improve your English skills alongside your primary language

When attempting to enhance your English writing abilities as a non-native speaker, it is important to simultaneously work on developing your skills in both the primary language and English.

This approach allows for a more comprehensive understanding of the nuances of each language, enabling you to utilize them more effectively in your written communication. By focusing on both languages together, you can gain insight into how the two languages are structured, and how they intersect, which will aid in creating clearer, more concise writing in English.

2. Study Idioms

Idioms play an essential role in effective communication in English. They add color, depth, and variety to our speech and writing, making them an essential tool to communicate with native English speakers. Studying idioms improves your ability to understand and use natural expressions that are commonly used in daily conversations and writings.

To learn idioms effectively, it’s crucial to recognize the context in which they arise, identify the figurative meaning behind them, and know how to use them appropriately in different situations.

While learning idioms may initially appear challenging due to their complex meanings and cultural connotations, consistent and persistent practice is critical for achieving fluency. Immersing oneself in listening to English media, speaking with native speakers, and reading English texts can significantly enhance one’s knowledge of idioms and their usage.

3. Treat English as a lifelong endeavor

Treat English as a lifetime pursuit, understanding how important it is for continual progress. Writing, in the end, builds on the underlying information you got via intensive reading. As a result, reading is essential for defining your writing style and generating creativity.

Immersion in many styles and voices may help you hone your writing voice. Novelists such as Ernest Hemingway and F. Scott Fitzgerald are good examples of authors whose individual writing styles influenced others. Engaging with a diverse range of writers may provide you with ideas and approaches that will help you on your writing path.

4. Read wide

Reading gives great insight into diverse types of expression across many forms of media when learning English. Reading books, news stories, essays, and periodicals exposes people to a wide range of ideas and influences. English language learners may increase their distinctive voices and improve their general expressive abilities by attentively examining how authors phrase themselves.

Avoid hurried reading habits if you want to get the most out of your English reading. Instead, commit to reading for enjoyment at a slower pace that matches your interests. Reading improves understanding and retention of knowledge, especially when the intricacies of vocabulary and idiomatic phrases in the English language are considered. Pacing oneself properly when reading allows English language learners to fully comprehend the intricacies and complexities of various writing styles, helping them progress as successful communicators.

5. Always get feedback

Whenever possible, actively seeking feedback from others is a vital step in the ongoing process of improving your writing skills. Feedback provides a unique perspective on your work, helping you identify areas that require attention and improvement.

Editors offer valuable insights and recommendations that can greatly enhance the quality of your writing. Their expertise in grammar, style, structure, and content ensures that your work meets high standards and resonates with the target audience.

As a writer, it’s crucial to maintain a growth mindset and embrace constructive criticism. Being open to learning and adapting one’s craft allows for continued development and growth. Receiving feedback from others enables you to refine your skills, broaden your horizons, and ultimately produce superior writing.

One particularly useful source of feedback comes from people who have little to no familiarity with the specific terminology or concepts within a particular industry. These individuals can offer an unbiased viewpoint, which can highlight potential issues that may not be apparent to those immersed in the field. Getting feedback from diverse perspectives can strengthen your writing, ensuring it communicates ideas clearly and effectively to a broader range of readers.

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Abiodun Ajayi

Abiodun Ajayi has more than 6 years of experience in Security and IT architecture. He consults and helps form strategies, perform project feasibility studies.