In last post on ways to improve English language, importance of studying with another person and how to work on new words was discussed. When you find some one to study with you, you can learn the language quickly and also you train your ears to hear mistakes in spoken English. Some more tips to improve English writing.
Set Aside Time and Place
If you can set aside a particular time and place for work, you will make much surer progress. Study requires concentrated attention. If you are out of the habit of study, you may find that your attention is easily diverted. There is no advantage in facing a book while your wits wander the seven seas. Indeed, this is harmful; it is forming a slack mental habit. Concentration can be cultivated. Practiced students attend easily for several hours. Keep to the task, but do not, at first, attempt too much at one time.
Read and Rewrite
When the text no longer holds your attention, turn to a magazine or a book and do some research work. Identify applications of the principles you have studied. Your materials for study are everywhere about you. Read and analyze. Read and retell or rewrite from memory in your own words. Contrast your work with the original. See where and how you have failed or succeeded.
Provide each time for a review study by making a list of the numbered headings in boldface type that you complete. Before you take up advanced work at your next study period, make a rapid oral review of these points and honestly satisfy yourself that you understand the general propositions. Carry about with you an awareness of these propositions; consciously apply them in your use of language; and look for illustrations of them in the things you read and in the talk you hear.
Avoiding Self-Consciousness
When you first turn attention to your English, you may find difficulty in avoiding excessive self-consciousness. Try slowing your rate of speech, allowing yourself time for thought; but do not allow yourself to form a new bad habit of speaking so slowly that you seem to be groping for words.
One of the best possible ways to prevent embarrassing self-consciousness is to be frank about what you are doing. Children hate to make themselves ridiculous, and are quite as sensitive as grown people, possibly more so. Say candidly to your associates, "I'm trying to improve my English. Tell me if you hear me make mistakes." Unless they are exceptionally well intentioned and helpful, they will not do it; but, at any rate, you can then correct yourself before them, go back and change your pronoun, mend your verb, substitute a better word, without any cause for distress. Get rid of self-consciousness by frankness. People of all degrees of education are interested in good speech.
If you can set aside a particular time and place for work, you will make much surer progress. Study requires concentrated attention. If you are out of the habit of study, you may find that your attention is easily diverted. There is no advantage in facing a book while your wits wander the seven seas. Indeed, this is harmful; it is forming a slack mental habit. Concentration can be cultivated. Practiced students attend easily for several hours. Keep to the task, but do not, at first, attempt too much at one time.
Read and Rewrite
When the text no longer holds your attention, turn to a magazine or a book and do some research work. Identify applications of the principles you have studied. Your materials for study are everywhere about you. Read and analyze. Read and retell or rewrite from memory in your own words. Contrast your work with the original. See where and how you have failed or succeeded.
Provide each time for a review study by making a list of the numbered headings in boldface type that you complete. Before you take up advanced work at your next study period, make a rapid oral review of these points and honestly satisfy yourself that you understand the general propositions. Carry about with you an awareness of these propositions; consciously apply them in your use of language; and look for illustrations of them in the things you read and in the talk you hear.
Avoiding Self-Consciousness
When you first turn attention to your English, you may find difficulty in avoiding excessive self-consciousness. Try slowing your rate of speech, allowing yourself time for thought; but do not allow yourself to form a new bad habit of speaking so slowly that you seem to be groping for words.
One of the best possible ways to prevent embarrassing self-consciousness is to be frank about what you are doing. Children hate to make themselves ridiculous, and are quite as sensitive as grown people, possibly more so. Say candidly to your associates, "I'm trying to improve my English. Tell me if you hear me make mistakes." Unless they are exceptionally well intentioned and helpful, they will not do it; but, at any rate, you can then correct yourself before them, go back and change your pronoun, mend your verb, substitute a better word, without any cause for distress. Get rid of self-consciousness by frankness. People of all degrees of education are interested in good speech.
