7 Effective Ways to Improve Your Writing Skills in a Foreign Language

Improving your writing skills is the gateway to better communication in any language, including the foreign language you are learning. The ability to put down your thoughts into concrete, clear words not only help you better communicate with others, but also improve your overall language skills.

So whether you are a language learner or a student navigating the intricacies of writing in another language, it’s worthwhile to learn how to better craft your writing to convey your messages in a coherent, clear way.

In this article, we will delve into 7 useful ways to help you improve your writing skills in a foreign language. Let’s go!

Practice with LingoDeer app

You don’t need to reach a certain level before you starting to write in your target language! Even if you are a complete beginner and you are not comfortable with creating full sentences from scratch, you can practic writing with LingoDeer app.

LingoDeer helps you form sentences with chunks of phrases provided. This helps you gradually get used to the grammar and sentence structures of your target language. These practices are also arranged in a way that paces with your learning. Try the app today to start.

Pay attention to spelling, grammar and puncuation

Whether you like it or not, correct spelling, grammar and punctuation are the foundations of good writing regardless of your proficiency level. By checking and correcting these 3 things from the start, you establish positive writing habits that will benefit you in the long run.

Remember, you don’t have to be an expert before you begin writing. It’s natural to make grammar mistakes or spell a word wrong. Take notes and learn from your mistakes. With regular practice and review, you will gradually improve your spelling and grammar when writing in a foreign language.

Read whatever you can

Let reading inspire and guide your writing. Reading extensively can greatly enhance your writing skills. A wealth of knowledge makes writing about a topic easier.

Choose an interesting subject, read about it in both your native and foreign languages, and then express your own thoughts through writing with the absorbed information.

To further improve skills, extend your forms of input to listening and watching videos. Immersing yourself in various forms of input not only enhances output abilities, but also improves your overall language skills.

Write about whatever you want

Write freely about whatever topic that interests you. Let your mood, weather, your feelings guide your writing.

Many language learners struggle to find topics, especially when their vocabulary and expressions are limited. If this is your case, try topic-guided journaling

Jot down whatever you like, it can be events, weather, people or mood. You can also choose one topic for a whole week. Prepare important grammar and vocabulary around this topic beforehand by taking notes and let them structure your writing.

If you need writing prompts, here are some topics to consider:

• Your feeling
• Weather
• A movie, book, video
• A past event
• A future plan
• A person you know well
• A place you’ve recently been to

Keep a consistent routine to make it a habit

Establish a consistent writing routine like keeping a journal. By dedicating regular time to practice writing every day (or 3 times a week), you can gradually improve your writing and track your progress over time.

Set aside a specific time each day or week for writing and stick to it. For example, you can write your thoughts at a specific time every day. Create a comfortable writing environment, free from distractions. Start with short writing exercises and gradually increase the length and complexity.

How often should I practice writing in my target language? While it can range depending on your goals and learning habits, it’s best to practice as much as possible.

Get feedback from native speakers or teachers

Seek feedback from native speakers, language teachers, or even fellow learners.

Regular feedback from others allows you to learn from mistakes, track progress, and focus on the areas that can be improved.

Getting others’ opinions on your writing can help you write more fluently over time. By considering others’ advice and noting down their feedback, you can discover mistakes that you may have missed. This way you can improve your overall writing skills faster and more effectively.

Reward yourself for your progress

Finally, improving writing skills is a gradual process that requires patience and perseverance. So remember to reward yourself for your progress along the way.

How to measure your progress in writing skills? Apart from asking for feedback from others, you can also measure your progress through self-assessment. Take the time to review your own writing and compare it to earlier pieces. Notice any changes in your improvements in vocabulary, grammar or sentence structures. Celebrate any small achievements to cultivate a sense of accomplishment along the journey.