
The problem
It is true that there can be no problem that does not have a solution. However, this truism helps little when you have difficulty writing in English when it is not your first language.
You were a good student, you read all your review books and you passed all your tests with flying colors, but you can wake up pretty brutally when you realize that if your English isn’t absolutely perfect in the big real world then people will notice the smallest errors.
Unfortunately, the chapter summaries you’ve relied on so much to help you understand this Jane Austen novel in school just aren’t available to help you deal with this. Don’t despair, however, help is at hand. Here are some tips that will help all non-native English speakers.
You’re not alone
You should never doubt your own ability to do something, but if you do, there are tons of non-native English published authors you can draw inspiration from. People have been doing this successfully for years and the number will only increase as learning methods and immediate exposure to real English increase. Whether it’s a literary paper, a tech assignment, or even a review book, non-native speakers write flawlessly in English every day, so there’s no reason you shouldn’t. can’t join them.
The teacher does not always know better
This is not about disrespecting teachers, but it is quite possible that, even though your teacher at school had all the best intentions in the world, his methods and use of the language were a bit outdated. A great way for you to lose all the outdated terms and phrases is to immerse yourself in English culture as native speakers experience it for themselves. Watch TV shows, read magazines or blogs. It won’t be long before you learn to grasp the little words and phrases that have made their way into the collective vocabulary.
Google Translate is not God
One thing you should absolutely avoid when trying to start your own blog is the temptation to just write in your own language and then put it all in Google Translate. Of course, this service is great for small things, but it will only spoil your writing if you try to use it in bulk. A better way to check that you’ve done everything right is to ask a native speaker friend to check things out for you. Input from a real person is always better than a computer program, even if it comes from Google.
Keep it simple
One of the biggest mistakes non-English speakers make when trying to write in English is that they try too hard to make a good impression. Their writing becomes showy and exaggerated, which only leads to often embarrassing mistakes. The best writers always keep it simple as much as possible. No one likes to show off, and they also don’t like reading something that is obviously forced and unnatural. Remember these useful chapter summaries as a child; the main reason they helped was that they made everything simple. This is what you should do when you write.
These few simple tips won’t give you the magical ability to go out and write your own blog in perfect English, but hopefully they give you the extra confidence to believe you can really do it. The biggest thing you will need is persistence. Everyone is wrong and everyone needs a little help. In the past you had your review books, now you have to see that everyone from English is there to help if you allow it. Good luck!