Choosing the right words is one of the basic skills of a successful writer. But this can be challenging for a non-native English writer who has a limited vocabulary.

Although there are thousands of successful non-native English authors out there. 

 

And hearing about them is not uncommon any more. 

 

Some people still have this stigma that ESL writers can’t be good writers. 

 

Since ancient times, many exophonic writers or those who write in their second language have influenced English literature. 

 

There was Joseph Conrad, a well-renowned novelist, who didn’t speak English fluently until he was in his twenties. 

 

Next, there’s Evaldo Albuquerque, born and raised in Brazil but became one of the best US copywriters in history. 

 

He’s even written a book called The 16-Word Sales Letter, where he shared his secret to generating millions of sales. 

 

He’s Agora’s secret weapon, and still to this day, many people can’t believe how a non-native English speaker can surpass several American copywriters.

 

To get to the point, I want you to believe that you can achieve your dream of being a successful writer if you set your intentions on success.

 

But of course, learning comes first. So in today’s blog, I will share eight tips. 

 

8 Tips for Non-native English Speakers can Improve Their Writing Skills 

 

1. Read and Analyze the Content.

 

Here’s one thing you might now know. Other people’s work or published material is your gateway to their thought process. 

 

This is perhaps the reason why many writers are introverted. 

 

Instead of going out to socialize, they use written words as their means to tell the world they’re part of it.

 

It’s through writing that they make themselves vulnerable to the world. 

 

If you’ve ever noticed, most of the bestselling books out there reveal a personal story about the author. 

 

Some of the best books I’ve ever read are about the author’s experience overcoming a difficult phase of their lives. 

 

Or if not all, their books contain chapters that expose a personal struggle or story.

 

Reading other people’s works is a form of intrusion to their thought process and experience while they were writing that book, blog, or poem. 

 

You get into their own experience, and with this, you can obtain ideas to improve your writing.

 

So read books or posts and analyze the content. 

 

Examine what words and strategies the author used or how the words flow. 

 

Read books to enjoy, but also read to learn. 

 

Reading will help you find your style. 

 

2. Learn Grammar.

 

Grammar is the number one dilemma of non-native English writers.

 

But just because you suck at grammar doesn’t mean you can’t improve.

 

You can only become good if you keep writing and don’t mind the grammar too much. 

 

Sometimes, the reason why you’re stuck is that you’re too conscious of your grammar. Or you’re afraid that people will criticize you for using English when you can’t even correct your grammar mistakes.

 

Again, if people tell you negative things about your writing, thank them. That means you’re getting feedback for free. 

 

Grammar is essential, but it’s just one part of being a successful author. It’s not everything.

 

Even native English writers commit grammar mistakes.

 

If you find grammar difficult, you can always hire an editor or have a friend who’s good at grammar; check your work before publishing it.

 

Instead of spending hours analyzing your grammar, it’s much better spent on writing.

 

Ignore your grammar. Eventually, if you’ve written enough words, proper grammar becomes second nature.

 

Here’s a tip: Learn 1-3 grammar lessons today and use them. If you have a blog or want to post on social media, apply the grammar lessons you’ve learned.

 

Gradually, grammar becomes easier until it no longer bothers you because it operates on second nature. 

3. Use a Thesaurus.

 

Another thing ESL writers find challenging is they tend to use the same words repeatedly in their sentences.

 

Although it’s understandable because you may have a limited vocabulary, you’ll want to improve your creativity by using alternative words.

 

And doing this is easy. 

 

The solution is to use a thesaurus. It’s free, so why are you not using it?

 

A thesaurus can make your writing elegant, easy to read, and you give your readers a wonderful reading experience.

 

Use a thesaurus to find better words, synonyms, or idioms to replace repeating words so you don’t sound like a broken CD.

 

I use Power Thesaurus and Word Hippo. 

 

I know many writers use them as well.

 

4. Expand Your Vocabulary.

 

Besides using a thesaurus, expanding your vocabulary is also essential.

 

To become a good writer, you need to have a deposit of millions of words.

 

So when it’s time you have to use them, you can just withdraw.

 

Keep a file of words that are new or unfamiliar to you and try to use them in your sentences.

 

Where do you get these new words? 

 

From books or blogs, of course! So you have to read a lot.

 

The way I do it is, if I come across an unfamiliar word or an idiom I like, I copy it and paste it into excel.

 

I then search for its meaning and one sample sentence and paste them beside the word.

 

That way, when I need a better word, I just skim through the file, check the meaning of the word, look at the sample to make sure I’m using the word as it’s intended to be.

 

You want to make sure that you don’t use a noun as an adjective or vice versa.

 

As of the moment, I have more than 500 words in my vocab library. 

 

Whenever I write, I open the file and choose a few words to use in a blog. 

 

It’s only by using them that you get familiar with the words until it becomes effortless to recall them.

 

It’s like a bank, and every day you need to make a deposit.

 

So every day, find a few minutes to read blogs. 

 

Then collect five unfamiliar words, copy them in your vocabulary sheet, and use them in your blog or social media posts.

 

If you do this every day, it will get easier for you to write. You won’t run out of words. You won’t find it difficult to get the right words in the paper. 

 

Again, writers are wordsmiths. Therefore, you need to have an endless collection of vocabulary to use in your writing.

 

5. Keep your Sentences Simple and Short.

 

Just like in business, it’s better to start with what you already have than not starting at all.

 

The most common mistake new ESL writers make is they write to impress people.

 

I know this too well because I’ve been this kind of writer when I was starting. This is not right, though. 

 

Don’t use words in your sentences when you’re unsure what they mean and how they’re supposed to be used.

 

The secret to a good article or blog is to keep your sentences short. 

 

Go for sentences with simple structure and avoid complicated ones. Don’t join two or more thoughts in just one sentence. Put a period on them.

 

Don’t be generous when dropping sentences. 

 

Complex sentences are hard to write. Plus, readers need to make an effort to understand. 

 

Use simple sentences and keep them short. Strive to make this one of your writing principles. 

 

6. Use Grammarly.

 

Grammarly is one of the best tools every writer should have.

 

It catches spelling errors and grammar mistakes. It’s so easy to use, and best of all, it’s free. 

 

Although there’s a premium plan which offers more suggestions, the free plan alone is already worth so much. 

 

You can install the Grammarly extension in the Chrome browser, or you can go to their site, Grammarly.com, and sign up. 

 

Then if you want to check your writing, just copy and paste it on a new document in Grammarly, and automatically, you see suggestions to correct any incorrect grammar or spelling.

 

7. Use Google Speak to Read Your Writing.

 

Another trick I want to share with you on how to improve your writing, precisely the flow, is by using a feature called Speak in Microsoft Word. 

 

You’d want to listen to what you’ve written to make sure the sentences connect and flow seamlessly. 

 

You can get someone to read your written blog, or you can use the software, an application, or a text to speech feature like Speak to read your writing back to you. 

 

Other people I know use Google Translator. There’s a button that you can click to listen to what you’ve written; however, there’s a limit to how many words it can read back. 

 

I just recently discovered Speak, and I don’t think it has a limitation on words.

 

I used it to read back an entire document with 2000+ words, and it finished it. 

 

Well, what you need to do is to listen carefully as the Speak reads your document. 

 

Notice which sentences the flow gets distorted or disconnected. 

 

Then, you can edit the parts that don’t read smoothly.

 

To enable the text to speech feature of MS Word, follow these instructions.

 

As an exercise, take a favorite blog you’ve read online and run it over Speak, so you’ll hear how it sounds when it’s read back to you.

 

Try to get ideas on how that blog is structured or formed.

 

8. Never Give Up.

 

Many aspiring ESL writers give up so easily because someone told them before they were not cut for it. 

 

That they can’t become writers because their English is poor and they live in a third world country.

 

Or that they’ve done some writing jobs for someone else before and their boss told them that they’re not fit for the job because they didn’t meet their standards. 

 

Trust me. You’ll get not only one but several people who’ll tell you again and again that it’s just impossible. 

 

There’ll always be people who’ll try to bring you down or tell you that what you’re trying to achieve is impossible. 

 

Don’t listen to them! 

 

Becoming a writer is your dream and not theirs. 

 

They don’t have the right to tell you what you have to be or need to be unless you give them the right to do so. 

 

So be annoyingly stubborn and never give up no matter what other people say, even if they’re family. 

 

Some people are quick to judge, but it’s up to you to prove them right or wrong. 

 

Conclusion

 

Non-native English writers are not that uncommon anymore since English has been the second language in most countries for years now. 

 

If other people have done it, you can do it, too. 

 

It’s just a matter of self-discipline and having a passion for learning things as you go. 

 

Learning is a process, just like how a cocoon undergoes a transformation phase to become a beautiful butterfly.

 

It’s the same in your writing career. Right now, you’re just a cocoon. 

 

You’re in the dark, and you may not have any clue if you’re doing the right thing or not, but if you claim it in your heart that this is what you want to do, there’s no reason you won’t get it.

 

Soon, you’ll spread your wings and fly just like a beautiful and colorful butterfly. 

 

P.S.

 

It took me a lot of effort to write this blog. I just didn’t feel like writing today, but writers write.

 

So yes, even if you don’t feel like writing, you have to fiddle with your computer’s keyboard until words come out.

 

Anyway, see you again tomorrow.