How to Improve English: Knowing Common Errors in English Usage

        The concept of an error in using language is not absolutely defined. However, those who are sophisticated users of English such as writers, editors, professors, literate executives and personnel officers will all know when an error has been committed. They are in the position to give advice on how to improve English for other users such as children who are only beginning to learn about its nuances and adults who are learning English as their second language. English may not be the most widely spoken language in the world, but it certainly is the most popular in developed countries and many countries in the world integrate English courses into their curriculum.

        An academic blog for the Washington State University (http://public.wsu.edu/~brians/errors/) lists common errors in the usage of English as well as discussion that will provide a learner more tips on how to improve English. Since these mistakes are too numerous to list and explain in one sitting, it would be better to just discuss why it is important for users of English to know it.

        A person's mistakes in using English can be influenced by several factors such as how widely English is used in his or her country, the person's educational attainment, exposure to English media, and whether his or her country of origin has been colonized by a predominantly English speaking country such as the US or Great Britain. The way in which one person's usage of English can differ from others if they do not share the same factors above. However, it should be noted that there is a standard in reading, speaking and writing English which all users should aim to follow. This should be done given the consideration that there are many variants of English such as Commonwealth English, US English and other versions of English in colonized countries.

How to Improve English Outside of the Classroom

         In the present world we live in, it is important for many people to be able to learn English. It may not be the most widely spoken language in the world, but is certainly the most widely spoken in developed countries. Therefore, in order for us to be able to communicate with relatives who live or work in these countries and to be able to ride on with the momentum of globalisation we must learn how to improve English proficiency which will enable us to do these things. If we should ever want to work in a first world country due to the better salary and standard of living, even if English is not the primary language spoken in this country we will still need to learn how to improve English in order to communicate with other citizens of such a country who are also foreigners.

        English being taught in many countries and integrated into curricula with the aim of making the country competitive in terms of having a globally adaptable labor force. However, not all individuals can have access to free education. For people who still want to learn or improve their English but cannot afford to take formal lessons, there are still measures that they can take on how to improve English knowledge:

• Practise writing 

        It is not enough to just be able to speak English well. You should also be able to write and read it well in order to make your knowledge a well-rounded one. Start with writing small passages whose content you wrote originally such as letters, anecdotes or poems so that you can develop a feel as to how the language is being used in written form.

• Practise speech and pronunciation 

        Learn how to communicate with others verbally using English by making sure that your pronunciation of the words and correct as well as your diction and intonation. It would be better if you do so at first with someone who shares the same first language as you but who is likewise proficient in English so that he or she can understand and patiently correct you if your first attempts at speaking in English may not be up to standard yet.

Practical Tips on How to Improve English

Learning the English can be challenge for some people, especially those who are learning it as a second language. However, with enough practice and determination, this is certainly a doable task as many others in the world who are citizens of countries whose first language is not English has demonstrated. Below are simple and practical tips on how to improve English language knowledge will not have a difficult time following:

• Create a blog in English. You can write about any subject that interests you, it does not matter. The main objective of this exercise is to make use of the English words that you already know. This will also be a good way to expand your vocabulary. Every time you struggle to find a word or phrase that will accurately convey your message, just check a dictionary or thesaurus. Enough practical experience in using the language will also lesson your grammatical and spelling mistakes. If you are nervous about writing in a language you are not too familiar with, stick to writing about topics that you have a enough knowledge and confidence to write about, such as your hobbies or favourite subjects in school. If you find yourself running about interesting topics, you can always resort to chronicle your own personal experiences. This way, the writing is from the heart and you already know the emotions and ideas you are trying to convey. This way it will be easier to find the right words that will appropriately convey your message.

• Write a news diary. If you should find yourself bored with writing a diary, you can resort to writing about news that you learn about, read and listen to on a regular basis. You can expand the stories to include commentary on the issues or events. You can use this as a learning opportunity on how to improve English by observing how others who are already proficient in the language use it to communicate effectively.

The Three R's of How to Improve English

How to improve English is one of the most important concerns of students. The education system around the world, especially international schools who host foreign students, uses English as the medium of instruction. Improving their English is one of the priorities of students because most of them are foreign students and are not very good in the language.

To help students on how to improve English, they can use the three R's. Reading, writing and arithmetic are the foundation of learning and education. These three R's can also be used in improving English.

• Reading – The first key to how to improve English is reading. Reading the written or printed pages enables you to really observe how correct English is written and should be said. To most students, reading could be very difficult or burdensome because they are naturally interested in the activity of reading. If you are one of them, you should make clear your goal of improving your English.

• Writing – Practice makes perfect. Writing is exercising your English. Through writing you will be able to use what you have learned and be able to concretise your learning. Again, to some students, writing could be very difficult or burdensome because they do not have the natural interest in it. However, merely doing it for starters could get a natural interest started. You will improve and in the improvement, you will find the interest in writing more.

• Arithmetic – In education, arithmetic means mathematics. However, in improving your English, you can give the code name arithmetic to the numbers you receive from your teachers, professors or instructors. In other words, your grades. Observe the grades you receive in your English writing and writing in other subjects whether they increase or decrease. Aim to have them increased and work towards this aim.

Tips To Improve Your English Vocabulary Of English As A Second Language (ESL) Students

Tips to improve your English vocabulary is particularly important for people who use English as a second language. Global boundaries are gradually discontinued as a result of technology and communication, the majority of graduates of non-English speaking countries will have to interact with bosses, colleagues or customers who have English as their primary language. A good English vocabulary is also useful in social situations, when the (English as a second language), ESL students have to interact both with the visit of English-speaking visitor or citizen of a man who is well traveled and well educated. Here are simple tips on how to improve your English vocabulary ESL students:

1. There is a pocket dictionary or a thesaurus handy. Whenever I encounter a new English word, both in conversations or through the media, you can easily control the definition and use context. While a pocket dictionary or a thesaurus has a limited number of words compared to the most complete, contains the most commonly used English words in everyday life.
2. Once you have found the meaning of new words, practice using it immediately. It will incorporate the words in your existing vocabulary of English words, can also grow. Practice, he writes so well, if you remember not only the correct spelling, but also its meaning. Learn to become familiar with new words, and integrate it into your life as you write emails, write blogs, write in your journal and writing assignments. 
3. Know that in the English language, you can say something in different ways so synonymous with one word. Conversely, a word also have the opposite meaning, which is an antonym. This knowledge can enrich your vocabulary in English and understand the relationship between words to each other better. 
4. Good advice on how to improve your English vocabulary by reading any material is found in England. This will give you an idea of ​​how best to use words in their context.

My Advice On How To Improve Your English Language Skills

        
          Improve my ability to speak English was one of my top priorities to do when I discovered that my student visa is approved so I could attend college in Los Angeles. Although English is the medium of instruction in the education system of Hong Kong, where I came, I was not very fluent in my oral communication skills in English. So I decided that before coming to settle and begin my studies in Los Angeles, I need to improve my oral communication skills. I took a short-term English as a Second Language (ESL) class, while I was still at home reading books and other printed material, and read online articles on the Internet, how to improve your English language skills, so I minimize my accent and native speakers know English.

          In addition to my English class, I bought audio CDs with audio lessons to improve English speaking skills, how to speak and pronounce English properly, and other lessons that focused on English speaking as right and proper. I also made an effort to watch television programs on the use of English, especially in the form of American English. I also spent more time in reading English language newspapers, magazines and books that focused on formal and colloquial English. I learned that understanding written English that will help me improve my oral communication skills.

          I am now taking my second year of undergraduate here in Los Angeles and I am happy to say that all documents and other information that I read about how to improve skills in English language really helped me. I overcame my initial shyness and reluctance to speak English. I am now more confident to discuss and speak in English with teachers and other students at the university and with other people.

My advice on how to speak English

         Improve my ability to speak English was one of my top priorities to do when I discovered that my student visa is approved so I could attend college in Los Angeles. Although English is the medium of instruction in the education system of Hong Kong, where I came, I was not very fluent in my oral communication skills in English. So I decided that before coming to settle and begin my studies in Los Angeles, I need to improve my oral communication skills. I took a short-term English as a Second Language (ESL) class, while I was still at home reading books and other printed material, and read online articles on the Internet, how to improve your English language skills, so I minimize my accent and native speakers know English.

          In addition to my ESL class, I bought some audio CD that contains audio lessons on how to improve English speaking skills, how to speak and speak good English courses and others who addressed the speak well and good form of English. I also made an effort to watch television more than the use of English, especially in the form of American English. I also spent more time reading English-language newspapers, magazines and books that focused on formal and spoken English. I learned to understand written English would help me improve my oral communication skills.

          I am now taking my second year of undergraduate here in Los Angeles and I am happy to say that all documents and other information that I read about how to improve skills in English language really helped me. I overcame my initial shyness and reluctance to speak English. I am now more confident to discuss and speak in English with teachers and other students at the university and with other people.

Tips for Improving English Vocabulary of English as Second Language (ESL) Learners

Advice on how to improve English vocabulary is especially important for people who are using English as their second language. As global boundaries are slowly being negated due to the advances in technology and communication, most graduates in non-English speaking countries will find themselves interacting with bosses, co-workers or customers who have English as their primary language. A good English vocabulary is also useful in social situations when ESL (English as a Second Language) learners find themselves interacting with either a visiting native English-speaking visitor or a fellow citizen who is well-travelled and well-educated. Below are simple tips on how to improve English vocabulary for ESL learners:

• Have a pocket dictionary or thesaurus handy. Whenever you encounter a new English word either in conversations or through the media, you can easily check its definition and contextual usage. Although a pocket dictionary or thesaurus has a limited number of words than a more comprehensive one, it does contain the most common English words used in daily life.
• As soon as you have found out the meaning of a new word, practice using it immediately. This will integrate the word into your existing vocabulary of English words, further making it grow. Practice writing it as well so that you will remember not only its correct spelling, but also its meaning. Learn to be comfortable with the new word and integrate it into your life as you compose emails, post blogs, write in your journal and other writing tasks.
• Know that in the English language, you can say something in different ways hence a synonym to a word. Conversely, a word can also have its direct opposite in meaning, which is an antonym. Knowing this can enrich your English vocabulary and understand the relationship of words towards one another better.
• A good advice on how to improve English vocabulary is by reading whatever material you can find in English. This gives you an idea of how words are best used in their appropriate context.

My Tips on How to Improve English Speaking Abilities

Improving my English speaking skills was one of my top priorities I would do when I found out that my student visa was approved so I could study at a university in Los Angeles. Although English is medium of instruction in the education system in Hong Kong where I came from, I was not very fluent in my oral English communication skills. So I resolved that before I came to settle down and start my studies in Los Angeles, I should improve my oral communication skills. I took a short-term English as a Second Language (ESL) class when I was still home and I read books and other printed materials and read online articles from the Internet on how to improve English speaking skills so that I would minimise my accent and be well understood by native English speakers.

Besides my ESL class, I bought some audio compact discs that contained audio lessons on how to improve English speaking skills, how to speak and pronounce correct English, and other lessons that focused on speaking the correct and proper form of English. I also made an effort to watch more television shows that use the English language especially the American form of English. I also spent more time in reading English language newspapers, magazines and books that focused on formal and conversational English. I learned that understanding the written English would help me in improving my oral communication abilities.

I am now in the second year of taking up my bachelor's degree here in Los Angeles and I am glad to say that all the materials and other information I read on how to improve English speaking skills has really helped me. I overcame my initial shyness and reluctance in speaking English. I am now more confident to discuss and talk in English with the lecturers and other students in the university and with other people.