Improve Your English Writing Skills As A Non-Native Speaker

As a non-native English speaker, I can find writing in English to be a challenge. This can come into play, especially when it comes to creating content for my blog. While I believe the material I write is valuable, conveying my thoughts in a language that isn’t my mother tongue to me can be difficult at times.

Writing blog posts in English can be challenging for me, even though my understanding of the language is good due to growing up with American tv-culture, and the American English language. The difficulty typically lies in my own insecurity when it comes to expressing myself accurately through words that aren’t natively spoken by me. It’s a different experience trying to convey my ideas and emotions in a second language.

As someone non-native to the English language, I understand that writing in different languages it can be quite a challenge for many.

As your English teacher for the day, it’s my goal to help you with your English skills along your journey in any way possible.

Why I chose to start a blog in English as a non-native speaker

For maximum reach, I decided to blog in English – the world language – in addition to Dutch. The Netherlands is a relatively small country and many potential readers would not be able to understand my articles if I stuck to Dutch only.

As such, I started a multi-language website so that more people can access my content. This strategy seems to have worked – my English articles receive significantly higher views than the ones written in Dutch!

Effective English communication capabilities require more than being able to converse in English. When I first began blogging in English, I soon realized that fluency and skillful writing are distinct proficiencies; practically as if I had to start anew to gain proficiency in writing.

Developing a clear understanding of proper grammar was paramount (and still is), as was enlarging my vocabulary. Nevertheless, taking on the challenge made for a fulfilling experience overall, and the journey continues…

Developing my English writing skills was the challenge I needed to overcome in order to take part in the worldwide blogging community. At first, I felt a bit overwhelmed by this task, as my speaking and reading skills have always been quite strong.

Fortunately, there are various resources and techniques for quickly boosting one’s written English proficiency. After finding these tools and putting them into action, I’m now able to express myself confidently through my words!

This article is specifically designed to provide non-native speakers of English with useful and effective tips for English writing. I’m eager to share my best techniques and advice to help improve your writing skills. Let’s get started!

Disclaimer: This blog post contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission to fund my coffee-drinking habit if you use these links to make a purchase. You will not be charged extra. So it’s a win for everyone! Please note that I won’t link any products I don’t believe in or don’t resonate with my blog site. Thank you!

Are you having difficulty getting started with an English blog because of your writing skills?

Are you considering launching a blog, but uncertain about your abilities to write and publish blogs in English? Or perhaps, do you already own a blog, but feel anxious while authoring content in English?

This article is made for you if you’d like to learn how to improve your English writing. You’ll find many helpful tools and methods that I have personally used to gain confidence in my writing.

Each one of these can help you quickly get rid of any insecurity or anxiety related to English writing. If you’re looking for the courage and confidence needed to make a mark on the blogosphere, this is the place for you!

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Do you have the linguistic proficiency needed to blog in English?

If you’re thinking: do I have the necessary skills to begin a blog in English? The answer is a resounding yes!

Writing in English can be daunting, but having a blog provides an excellent opportunity for you to refine your skills. With consistent practice and thoughtful editing, you’ll soon see improvements in both your creative writing abilities and technical accuracy.

Despite being written by non-native English speakers, there are a number of popular blogs available. Although their writing may not adhere to perfect English grammar standards, they remain very popular and well-received.

Your blog has the potential to reach a broad audience, particularly those who don’t have a perfect command of English. This is because you try to use language that is both understandable and relatable.

Not only does this make it easier for non-native English speakers to follow, but it also allows readers to connect with your content in an effective way.

If you want to write in English on your blog, I’d urge you to go ahead and do so. Don’t be intimidated or discouraged by any worries or doubts you may have; let your creativity be the source of your content, and those who don’t value it will just move on. You’re free to express yourself however you wish – so give it a try!

8 excellent ways to improve your English writing skills as a non-native English speaker

I’ve compiled a list of five invaluable resources which have greatly improved my English writing aptitude. These tools provide instant translations, enhance one’s vocabulary, and offer automated grammar check capability. Working with them has been an incredibly satisfying experience and I use them routinely.

To help make your multilingual blog an even bigger success, I have also included three of my best tips to help you perfect your English. I wish you all the best with your endeavor!

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Tip #1: Surfer SEO

In the era of Artificial Intelligence (AI), non-native English speakers are fortunate to have tools that enhance their language skills. One such tool that stands out is Surfer SEO, a writing assistant designed to generate entire blog posts in both Dutch and English.

I’ve found the content produced by Surfer to be of high quality, and what sets this tool apart is its ability to craft blogs that are fully optimized for SEO. This means your content has the potential to secure a prominent position on Google, increasing its visibility and reach.

Embrace the power of Surfer SEO to effortlessly enhance your language proficiency and create SEO-friendly content that resonates with your audience. The age of AI is truly a game-changer for language enthusiasts!

Tip #2: DeepL Pro Translator

The DeepL Pro translator is a powerful tool for translation. It’s capable of translating up to 5,000 words at once and can be further customized by looking at the suggested alternatives for each word.

However, the translations produced by DeepL may require some manual adjustments in order to produce high-quality results. This requires users to carefully review the proposed alternatives and adjust them accordingly to achieve an accurate and polished translation.

DeepL Pro Translator has a wide range of impressive features, with one key feature offering translations and suggestions you might not have otherwise considered. This valuable tool is available for free with plans starting from $6.99 when the free limit has been reached.

Tip #3: Lingq App

The Lingq app is a fantastic way to expand your vocabulary and boost your English writing skills. Initially, I used this software for learning new languages; however, more recently, I realized that it’s beneficial for developing my English proficiency as well. I highly recommend the Lingq app – use it to improve your language capabilities!

The Lingq app is designed to aid language learners. It provides practice material in the form of online lessons, e-books, articles, or blog downloads. Users can tag words they recognize as “Learned” and unfamiliar words as “To learn”. This helps students keep track of their progress and focus on the vocabulary they need to work on. 

Memorizing new words can be a challenging task, but Lingq makes it easier to keep track of your progress. When you mark words as “To learn,” the app stores them so that you can access and review them later.

Plus, Lingq also conveniently tracks how many words you know in the language, helping you towards your goal of fluency with a target of 10,000 words.

The Lingq app is an innovative way to learn a new language. It allows users to upload a text-based book of their choice, enabling them to both learn and read at the same time.

The app is available for $11.99 per month via the cheapest plan on a monthly basis, or users have the option of upgrading to one of several premium plans that include tutor guidance.

Tip #4: HelloTalk App

HelloTalk takes a unique approach to language learning. Users indicate their native tongue and the language they want to learn, before being shown people who share this combination of languages. This makes it easy for them to ask questions, converse as well as gain an understanding of real-world usage of the language they are trying to learn.

Text translation and conversation practice has never been easier! You can now find the translation app in your app store and start communicating with partners instantly. The app enables users to translate texts within the platform, avoiding third-party sites like Google Translate.

Users can even assist each other with their translations – making language learning and oral communication more effortless. Best of all, the app is free for the first language you’re learning.

Tip #5: Write your posts in your native language first

For those whose native language is different from English, writing in their native language before attempting an English draft can be a great way to bridge the language barrier.

This process is admittedly time-consuming – however, it has the potential to greatly improve communication as it provides a solid foundation for efficient expression.

By using this method, you can communicate exactly what you want to express. Writing in English can be tricky, and I often run the risk of losing important nuances if I opt for shorter simpler words or expressions. This platform helps me make sure that my message comes across clearly.

Speaking Dutch allows me to express myself freely. Once I have my desired phrasing, I can easily translate it into English. That process is much simpler than creating a phrase in English from scratch.

Additionally, it’s simple and efficient to post your material in both its original language and bilingual – taking advantage of both languages when the opportunity presents itself is a powerful tool. That’s what sets us apart!

Tip #6: Read a lot!

Reading regularly is an effective way to hone an excellent level of English. Developing a reading habit can go a long way in improving proficiency with the language. To increase your english language skills, read news articles, magazine pieces, and blog content within your niche.

The more you read English material, the more comfortable you’ll eventually be with using English words and structures appropriately when crafting new content for your blog.

Tip #7: Take your time

When it comes to writing blog posts, don’t rush the process. Quality should be your number one priority, not quantity. Taking your time also helps you ensure that visitors don’t lose interest in your work due to poor grammar or language skills. Investing a little extra time and effort upfront will pay off in the long run!

It is worth noting that readers are unlikely to leave your website because of a few small errors or inaccuracies, so long as the text is readable and informative. While it is important for content to be accurate and free of errors, perfection should not be the goal; occasional mistakes will generally be overlooked.

When taking that initial leap into writing in a foreign language, expectations should be kept at a comfortable language level. It’s only natural to take the time needed to ensure your content is comprehensive, clear and of high quality.

As you become more familiar with the language and process of publishing, your confidence and productivity will grow, enabling you to turn out exceptional material on a consistent basis.

Also read: 7 Things I wish I knew before I started blogging

Also watch this video by Learn English with Harry for more English writing tips:

Conclusion

If you put these techniques and resources into practice, you’ll soon find yourself becoming more and more comfortable with writing in English.

I hope that this post has provided the motivation and guidance you need to either begin or continue blogging in English, as well as create a multilingual website!

Please share your English blog links with me in the comments section!

Angie