How to Master Writing in a Foreign Language
Language learners face different challenges. Some people find it difficult to memorize grammar rules, others – to speak in a foreign language. But the most challenging part of the learning journey is to start writing like a native speaker.
If you want to improve your writing skills, you can do it in a fun way. Check out the following tips and try to apply them in real life.
Read books in a foreign language
If you want to master writing skills in a foreign language, you should understand how native speakers tend to express their ideas on paper. You should analyze how they build sentences, which transition words they use, where they put commas, and so on.
If you want to learn all those peculiarities of the language, you should read as many books as possible. Depending on your language level and your learning goals, you may choose different types of books.
Adapted books
If you have started learning a new language one or two months ago, you may try to read an adapted novel. Do you know what the difference between adapted books and original piece of literature is?
Adapted books represent the simplified version of the original text. The sentences are short, and the vocabulary is small. The text is easy-to-read and easy-to-understand even for beginners.
Books for kids
If you can’t find adapted books in a foreign language, you can read books for children. They are always written in a simple style, and their vocabulary is also small. If you love fairy tales, you will definitely like to learn the language in this way.
Classic Books
Advanced learners should try to read the masterpieces of world literature. If you learn English, you should choose Animal Farm by George Orwell, if Spanish – El Amor en Los Tiempos de Cólera by Gabriel García Márquez, if French – L’Étranger by Albert Camus, etc.
Modern books
If you are more interested in learning the colloquial language, you should read modern literature. It will help you to get familiar with informal words, phrases, and slang. You will learn how to use them in writing.
Start a diary in a foreign language
To improve your writing in a foreign language, you should practice on a regular basis. It’s a great idea to start a diary and create short entries daily. You may write about the events you attend, people you meet, or feelings you have.
You can discuss any topic you like, just make sure that you write in a foreign language at least 15 minutes a day. Don’t skip it. Make it a part of your daily routine.
Regular practice will help you to learn how to express your ideas in a foreign language. Even more, in a month or two you will stop translating your thoughts. You will start thinking in a new language, and it will help you to progress in learning.
Run your social media accounts in a foreign language
When you write entries in your diary, you know that no one will read them. But when you create captions in a foreign language for social media, you know that your friends and other people will see them. And if you make a mistake, everyone will notice it.
If you start blogging in a foreign language, the fear of failure will challenge you to craft grammatically correct sentences. It will make you try harder to achieve the best results possible.
However, if you are an absolute beginner, it's highly unlikely that you are able to create posts without making mistakes. To build up your writing confidence, you may utilize editing services like Trust My Paper or grammar checkers like Grammarly. It will help you to get rid of spelling errors and feel positive at the start of your learning journey.
Make friends online
Thanks to emerging technologies, you have plenty of opportunities to make friends online. You can use language learning platforms, Facebook, and even dating websites to find an interesting person to talk to.
A native speaker, who has interests and goals similar to yours, will help you to develop your writing skills. He or she will point out your grammar mistakes and will explain how to complete sentences in the right way.
It’s really simple to start a conversation with a stranger online. For instance, if you want to talk to someone on Facebook, just check out his/her profile and write a message that shows that you are interested in further communication. For instance, if you want to contact a guy from the UK, who is a Manchester United’s fan, you can write something like this:
Hi Peter! I’m Anisah from Marrakesh. I’m looking for someone special to chat with and practice my English. Let me know if you want to talk about the last match of Manchester United or discuss any other topics.
Also, you may join the groups of language learners on Facebook and LinkedIn. There you will find conversationalist, who will be glad to help you with mastering writing skills.
Watch videos with subtitles
Whether you watch a sitcom, documentary, TV show, TED talks, or hilarious YouTube video, turn the subtitles on. Scientists state that our memory for sounds is worse than our memory for visuals. So when you watch videos without subtitles, you miss a chance to memorize new words, phrases, and idioms.
But when you listen to the video and simultaneously read subtitles, you boost your brain’s processing speed. You start absorbing new information much faster.
Turn subtitles on, and you will memorize how to build sentences, how to use linking words, and where to put commas in complex sentences. Be attentive to details, and you will improve your writing skills with ease.
Wrapping it up
If you want to write like a native speaker, you should do two things. Firstly, you should read more books. Secondly, you should practice your writing skills regularly.
Today, you can master writing in a foreign language in numerous fun ways. Feel free to choose an approach, which suits you the best.
Remember, that with practice comes mastery. Be persistent, work hard, and never give up. Sooner or later you will achieve your learning goal.
March 25, 2019
