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I know that most English learners want to improve their speaking skills more than theri writing. This post is about why writing is such a good thing for learners to do, how it will help with speaking, and what to write. When I taught in a language school, I gave my students homework every day, and once a week, the homework was writing. You probably won’t be surprised when I tell you that it was not popular! I know many people have negative feelings about writing in English. Let’s see if we can change that. Writing doesn’t have to be about essays or long stories. It can be something simple and fun, like posting on social media. It’s also one of the most useful ways to practise your English – even if your main goal is to speak. Why write in English? 1. Writing is like speaking… but in slow motion Speaking and writing are not as different as many people think. Both skills involve:
Of course, writing on its own isn’t enough to improve your speaking. You still need real speaking practice. But when you practise producing language in writing, you’re also building some of the skills you need for speaking. 2. Writing helps you actually see the gaps When you’re speaking, everything happens so fast. You have time to stop and check if you’re saying it correctly. But when you write, you notice the gaps in your knowledge:
3. Writing for real-life Many of you are learning English for your studies or for work. It’s very likely that you’ll need to write something in English in the future, such as:
4. Writing fits easily into your day If you have 5 or 10 minutes, you can write something – on paper or on your phone. It’s one of the easiest ways to practise regularly. But what should I write? Here are some simple ideas that work for all levels. 1. Write a journal You can write about:
If you want to read more about journalling, you can look at this blog post, which I wrote a few months ago. 2. Write on social media Posting or commenting in English is great practice. If you want a safe place to do this without worrying about mistakes, you can join one of my Facebook groups. Many members practise English together outside the group as well. I have two groups: “English Conversation for Women” – WOMEN ONLY This is a small group where you can connect with other women working on their English. There’s also a free Zoom session once a month for group members! “Practise English with Katie” – for EVERYONE. Anyone of any gender can join this group! There are lots of active members and we have some interesting conversations. 3. Write lists Lists are quick, easy and great practice. Try writing:
Don’t just learn what a new word means – use it! Write 2–3 sentences with any new word or expression you learn. This helps you remember it and makes it easier to use in conversations. Final thoughts Writing won’t replace speaking, of course, but it’s one of the most powerful ways to improve your English. It helps you notice what you don’t know, fill the gaps, remember new language, build your confidence, and communicate more clearly. You can do it anytime, anywhere. And you don’t need a partner!  Comments are closed.
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