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Alternative Ways to Improve Your English!
In a previous post, we looked at blogging, which is a great place to practise and improve writing skills, gain some confidence, and attract comments. These can be supportive and constructive, but they can also be very critical and even hurtful – this is the risk you take. There are, however, gentler and more modest ways of writing for a public audience.
If you are not ready for the level of risk in blogging or don’t feel that your writing skills are developed enough to tackle a blog, then here are other ways in which you can write online for a large audience.
Comment on Other People’s Blogs
This is a great way to start writing for a large audience. Comments can be any length so you can begin with a sentence or two and build up to longer comments as your confidence grows. Because these are short bits of writing it is simple and fast to check them for errors before you post. Also, because you have chosen to write this (i.e. it isn’t an assignment set by the teacher) then you can be completely free in what you say and use your own creativity! Speaking and writing from your heart about something that you are passionate about is a far better way to learn than to trying to memorize stilted formulaic conversations from textbooks.
If you follow a blog and comment on it regularly then you may also build up some rapport with the other followers and can enter into a written dialogue with them and maybe even the author too!
Message Boards
Discussions on message boards give you similar opportunities to those above. Here you are taking part in a discussion with like-minded people. There are many available to choose from, from small English language sites to the BBC site – all available to you and all providing great untapped opportunities for you to practice your writing online.
If you choose an English language message board then it’s likely someone will help you with any errors in your writing. If you choose a wider forum, make sure you; 1) start short, 2) check your errors, and 3) build up to longer and more content rich messages. You don’t have to restrict yourself to English language sites. If you have a hobby or a burning passion about a topic, then search out a suitable message board and get started!
With these activities, it is important to be mindful of your personal digital footprint. With both forums and message boards you should investigate thoroughly to find the one that suits you and is going to help you best explore your writing. Watch them first for a while. Look at the kind of messages that are being posted and if you’re not happy with the content or the tone of the forum then look for another one!
Chat Rooms
Although chat rooms may not seem like the best place to practise writing, they are a writing forum and expose you to the same opportunities. Chat rooms are more tolerant about errors as people are generally writing very quickly to get the message across. This does not, however, mean that it is a free for all! There is a certain tolerance level for mistakes and if you don’t take some care other members of the chat may become irritated. Use the same ‘rules’ as we discussed above, and if you attend regularly then you will build not only a learning relationship with other members, but also a confidence level which will help improve your writing skills and allow you to post longer messages with more ease.
Social Media Sites
There are tons and tons of social media sites now, and you can assuredly find one that fits you. From the 140 characters of Twitter to longer but equally functional ‘bits and bobs’ of writing on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, Pinterest, and many more. The IELTS Facebook group is the perfect place to practise your English and get help from some experts, like me! Find a group within the site you chose with whom you can communicate and the opportunities to flex your writing muscles will be endless. Just remember; 1) always be careful with your postings, 2) be sensitive to others, and 3) watch your digital footprint and you will not go wrong. Finally do your homework – check out the sites, the rules and regulations, the norms and etiquette and the world of online writing and commentary is yours for the taking!
Whatever method you decide to use, it’s time to move beyond the classroom with your writing! Start slowly and safely and gradually increase the length and complexity of what you write, or just jump in at the deep end and have a go. Just remember you are letting it ‘all hang out,’ so treat your authentic writing as you would your homework assignments – take care, check and work towards improvement!
Have fun with your writing!
You can achieve your IELTS goals, and we can help you do it. To find out how, check out our resources, online courses, immersion workshops, or one-on-one training programme and find your path to success!
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