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15 master tips to English proficiency written test

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Writing skill is the highest degree in the list of language skills. When a child learns his mother tongue, he learns to listen at first, then to speak, and then begins when he enters school to learn to read and finally to write.

But concerning learning a second language, especially in adults, all or most of these skills are usually developed similarly. Even reading may precede the acquisition of listening and speaking.

Reading is the entrance for any learner to understand the language and begin to comprehend the words, but what about the writing skill, and why do many learners of English suffer from it.

There are several reasons, the most important of which are:

The English language is one of the languages ​​whose pronunciation does not match its writing. There are no fixed rules for pronunciation and spelling, which are different from other languages. Every sound has a letter, and every letter has three movements that change the sound in a specific and fixed way. So things are clear and tidy.

But in English, if I came to you with a new word and pronounced it for you and asked you to write it, maybe you made a mistake in one or two letters because the pronunciation of letters (especially the vowels) has several forms and several sounds and there are differences and deviations from the rules.

The second reason is neglecting to memorize the form of the word when learning it for the first time. Of course, you may memorize the meaning of the word (translation), and you may master its sound through your ears. Still, you neglect the way of writing it, and when you ignore that when memorizing and reviewing, you will find yourself with the days, and you have delayed the skill of writing than the rest of the skills.

You are neglecting exposure to the English language, especially through reading.

Solve the problem of writing in English

Before presenting solutions and methods, we must divide the problem correctly, as follows:

  • at word level
  • at the wholesale level
  • at the paragraph level
  • improve writing in English

The first level is when you misspell the word itself, the second level is when the error is in writing and formulating the sentence, and the third advanced level is related to the aesthetics of the text. There is more than one way to say what you want to say, and they are all correct, but there is a better way. From the other, and this is what distinguishes the writers.

We will focus on the first and second levels only, which guarantees you to write correctly and properly. As for the third level, it is advanced and useful for those who want to move their language to a more professional level, for example, if you want to become a professional writer working in the fields of publishing or composing books and novels, and this It can be developed after you reach an advanced level in the language and not during the learning journey.

First: improve writing at the level of words

The first problem you face is miswriting words (mistakes in spelling). You may know a word of good knowledge. If you read or hear it, you understand it, but you make mistakes when writing it. How do you solve this problem?

To correctly analyze the problem, we divide it into two parts:

Mistakes of words you previously learned

Word mistakes you are learning now and in the future

(1) More than writing comments

You watch a lot of content on YouTube, or you may read many posts on Facebook, so why not try to leave some comments on those videos and posts in English, especially foreign content.

If you do not watch foreign content, this is another problem. You must get used to reading. You listen to the English language via the Internet and social networks, subscribe to some channels and pages that publish content in the English language, even if your level is weak, there are easy YouTube channels dedicated to learning, write comments even if a word or two.

In this way, you will start using the words in your mind and extract them through writing, and the least benefit you will get, is to recognize the words I'm afraid you might be mistaken in, and here comes the role of the second step.

(2) Learn from spelling correctors comments

I advise you to write comments on your computer or laptop and to use the Google Chrome browser because it contains a spelling corrector. When you mistype the word, a red line will appear under it, and when you click on it with the right mouse button, suggestions for some correct words similar to what you wrote will appear. I do not want you here to click on the correct word and then go on your way. This will not help you learn the correct writing.

Still, I want you to take a closer look at it while it is in that drop-down list, then delete it and write it again by yourself in the correct way. This small and simple habit will make a difference with the days.

(3) See common words (spelling)

Lists of common words are a suitable place to search for words that you already know, they arrange the words for you according to their frequency of use, and you will find that you know many of the words at the beginning of the list because they are simple and basic words, you have to go through those words word by word and make sure that you write them correctly And you can do this manually with the help of a friend, make him pronounce the words for you as you write them in a notebook, and the word that you misspelled, put it aside and then focus on it and save it through normal paper methods, or through digital methods, as shown in the next step.

One of the most important sources for getting popular words: the Oxford list of the most important 3000 words

(4) Use Quizlet's website and app

Quizlet is a website and an application for mobile phones (Flash Card programs). These programs help you to memorize and review language words, but this site is distinguished by providing you with several ways to review. One of these methods is to review spelling and writing (the site is free with A paid subscription plan with more features.

You can benefit from common word lists (as in the previous item) by extracting misspelled words, then adding those words in a separate list within this site, and then revising the spelling of the words (via the site or by phone) on a daily basis, or almost daily, and with days and continuity you will master writing those words.

(5) Use the Clozemaster website and app

The Clozemaster website and application is considered one of the effective educational tools, as it gives you the sentence and it contains an incomplete word, and you must know this missing word - with the help of the Arabic translation - to win points and continue playing. Learning and playing are done in two ways, either choosing the word from among the options or writing the word yourself. In the specified space, to develop writing skills, you must choose the second option.

The Closemaster site is distinguished in that it arranges the levels for you according to common words. If you want to master writing the words you already know, you must start from the first level, where the words are very easy, because the goal is not to learn new words but to practice writing old words in a correct way.

(6) Learning new words with three sides

Now we move on to solving the problem of new words that you are currently learning and that you will use in the future. The solution is as follows:

When you learn a new word, teach it in three ways: meaning - sound - form.

For example, if you are reading in a novel and find a new word, you will use the dictionary to find out its meaning, beautiful, then you should listen to its phonetic pronunciation from reliable sources, and finally, try to write it several times in a temporary notebook to memorize its spelling.

Also, when you review those words, whether you use the old paper method or one of the flashcard programs, such as Anki, when you review the words and when they pass, you must make sure that you write them correctly. For example, when you pass, you try to write them in a paper or through The application itself, rate yourself and then move on to the next word.

This step will cost you more time while learning, but this is better than reaching an advanced level and then going back from the beginning to go on the journey of developing writing again.

Second: improve writing at the level of sentences

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The second level in the field of improving writing skills is your ability to write a correct, clear, and error-free sentence. Here, two sub-problems emerge from the root of this problem:

Not recalling the appropriate words: you want to say something and express a certain thing, but you do not find in your mind the appropriate words to express what you want.

The inability to use words correctly:

Here you find the appropriate English words, but you make some mistakes when you use them in sentences. They may be errors in grammar (grammar), or they may be related to the appropriate prepositions, and you may use some words in inappropriate places.

In order to solve these problems, here are the practical solutions:

(7) Listen a lot

Listening extensively and daily to audio - or visual - material that is appropriate for your level; contributes to solving the first part of the related problem, which is the presence of the appropriate words when you need them. The more you listen, the more common words are repeated in your hearing, and then they become engraved in the depth of your subconscious mind. When you need the word, you will find it easily.

What do you hear?

There are a lot of free resources scattered on the Internet, watching videos on YouTube is one of the listening activities, but if you want to listen extensively, you should go to podcast episodes, there are many of them in foreign content, and there are easy episodes suitable for those who are at an intermediate level in the language, (for example You can listen to Spotlight English episodes)

(8) Read a lot

As for reading, it solves the second part of the problem, because when you read, you focus more on the structure of sentences and their structure, you give your mind the opportunity to learn more about the interconnectedness of words and the structure of sentences, and this is the opposite of listening, which is fast. Reading is what proves the structure of the language and its correct combinations.

Reading is the most important element for developing writing. Reading is (the input), and writing is (the output), and there will be no good outcomes if the inputs are weak.

Of course, the rules and learning the rules is something that helps and supports the skill of writing, but even if you fall short in the matter of learning the rules, continuous reading will give you the skill of writing, and your mind will get used to writing correctly in an involuntary way. The more you read, the more the mind gets used to certain patterns, then it becomes easy. Use it while holding a pen or clicking on the keyboard buttons and typing.

What are you reading?

There are many sources for reading that suit your level. On the Internet, there is a website (Time for Kids), which publishes professional articles suitable for young age groups, and therefore it is suitable for learners of English who are still at the beginning or middle of the road. There is also a website (Simple English Wikipedia), which is the simplified version of the free encyclopedia (Wikipedia).

You can also read stories and paper books, and it is worth noting that there are types of stories dedicated to English language learners, as they are arranged according to levels and according to the difficulty of words. Oxford, or from the Pearson Foundation, there is also a popular series of books that are simple and easy to digest, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, which you can find in local bookstores.

A great resource for reading (and for learning words) is the 4000 Essential English Words book series. There is also a website and application that is a social network for writing and reading, where writers publish their stories and books as you read what you like.

Dictation

Here are some sites and ways you can dictate whole sentences instead of separate words. You can choose one or more of them and then continue doing it daily. Dictation is an important activity to improve writing at the level of words and sentences.

(9) Practicing spelling manually

It is to practice dictation activity with yourself when you learn English through any subject. If you are learning through a movie or an episode of a series, try to be part of your learning time to develop writing through dictation. Listen to the passage and stop at each sentence and write it in a booklet, Then compare what you wrote with the original text. This can be applied through films and audio episodes or through TED lectures and YouTube clips that provide the Septal.

Let me mention here one of the YouTube channels specialized in dictation through movie scenes, it may be suitable for applicants because the owner of the channel publishes rather difficult clips, the owner of the site is the teacher (Shaun), he has published hundreds of videos in this channel, he gives the exercise in a separate video, and then after that, the solution is published with clarification and explanation on how to pronounce and translate some words. You can benefit from this content and practice this activity - via this channel - periodically (channel link).

(10) Practicing dictation via the Foscreen app

The VOScreen website and application is one of the distinguished educational tools, which can be used to develop listening, but also can be used to develop writing, as it gives you short scenes, each scene is a spoken sentence, and before you click on the answer icon and know what the exact sentence is, by trying to write it in the brochure, then compare what you wrote with the original text. Thus, a certain number of sentences continued each day (for example, twenty), and you can choose the appropriate level for you so that you can hear sentences that you can easily absorb.

You can rely on this site - along with other sites - to develop the English language in all aspects. Read the five-year plan to learn more or watch this video in which I explained a short way to develop English through Foscreen and Quest.

(11) Use of specialized dictation sites

There are a group of good and distinctive sites that give you activities and exercises for dictation, we mentioned the Quest site and application and the Closemaster site previously, but the difference is that the following sites depend on sentences and not words.

There are several sites and services in this field, and we have chosen for you two distinct and free sites:

Speechling: a website and a special phone application that specializes in improving pronunciation (a video was explaining Speechling). You listen to the sentence, then pronounce it, record your voice, and then compare your pronunciation with the original pronunciation. There is an error that will appear in red. You have to adjust the writing until you move to the next sentence, and so on until you decide to stop, and the level and difficulty of words and phrases can be determined.

Daily Dictation:

It contains four sections for dictation, including General English and another section for IELTS. You choose the topic first, then listen to the sentence three times and write it down, then make sure that your answer is correct, and then continue writing. Until the end of the topic, and so on.

Important note:

Do not do the dictation activity once or twice and then leave. This will not improve your level. The process requires that you plan and set a schedule for you, that you specify for this activity a quarter of an hour a day, for example, and then continue day after day, week after another, month after month until you reach the position you want.

Long writing practice

We said earlier that reading is important because it is (the inputs) and in order to complete the equation, there must be (outputs), you will not actually develop writing unless you start writing practically, because some people waste a lot of time going around the fever without getting into it, you have to break into the field And you start with practical practice. Yes, sure, there will be a lot of mistakes, and this is normal. You will not reach professionalism until after you climb over the skulls of your mistakes and missteps, so start and do not hesitate.

Writing short comments can help you at the beginning of your journey, but with the progress in the language, you must develop your writing practice and move to a higher level: long writing, whole paragraphs or articles, and here are some practical steps that lead - with continuity - to improve writing skill You have.

(12) Read, digest, then write

One of the useful activities is to not only read, but read and then write, write what you have read, and we do not mean here (copy) the text, but continue reading and digest the words well, then try to rewrite the article again without looking at the original text, and in Finally, compare what you wrote with the original text and learn from mistakes and differences.

It is preferable to choose materials suitable for your level to practice this activity. At the top (in the "Read a lot" paragraph), we have listed some sources for you, but you can simply search for pages and articles on the Internet in the same field of specialization or interest. Follow some foreign blogs specializing in travel and read and rewrite the article because this will be easy for you and fun for you as you read and write in the field close to your heart (try to choose relatively short articles).

(13) Use writing correction tools

There are online digital tools that automatically correct your writing, not only correcting spelling errors (this was mentioned earlier) but also correcting grammar mistakes and using appropriate prepositions for verbs, and through these correctors, you will benefit and learn how to write sentences correctly, from examples of those tools :

Grammarly's website and application (link to the site) works via the browser and via the phone and is compatible with social networks and others. (Free within limits and paid for the unlimited version)

Scribes, a free service that works across the site, copy the text, and turns words and phrases with errors into the colored text; each color expresses a type of error, you click on each one to find out what is the best alternative suggestion.

(14) Write for yourself

If you feel embarrassed to publish what you write, write for yourself, write your life memoirs in English, it is a diary, what happened in your day and how the events of your week went, write about the events and the thoughts that revolve in your head, you can write inside the computer in the (Microsoft) program Word) and benefit from the spelling corrector feature (but in the way we presented in item 2), or you can write via Google Doc, and you can also write on sites specialized in writing notes, including ponzu.

Open a blog in Blogger, then start writing a simple article, write as no one is reading, do not be afraid even if you make a mistake, no one knows that you are the writer for it, write about the topics that interest you, you do not know that this blog may be the reason for your success in the future and making an income online. It is important to write and practice writing.

(15) Write in language exchange sites

You might tell me after reading the previous point:

Well, I will write, but who will correct my writing? I may continue to write for months without much improvement because I will keep making the same mistakes!

We have (language exchange sites), some of these sites provide a section for the exchange of writing and assistance, you write and receive corrections from language people or other advanced people, and you, in turn, help others to correct their writing in their mother tongue, there are several sites, and we have shown and tried Five sites including our video on this: Improving writing across language exchanges. Here are some popular websites and services:

HiNative application:

It is an application for mobile phones dedicated to receiving aids in writing and pronunciation. You write a sentence and ask the people of the English language whether it is correct or not, or you pronounce a phrase and ask them for notes about your pronunciation, and so on.

italki: A popular site for booking lessons with teachers online, it has a writing exchange section, where you receive corrections for what you wrote.

LingQ: It is an advanced platform for learning, with a section to correct typing among learners of multiple languages.

Polyglot Club: It is a site for exchanging languages ​​and meeting people with whom you practice the language. It has a writing correction section.

The previous sites were explained and touched upon in the video we mentioned above, and if you want more, you should go to the Google Sea, sail in it with your boat to discover what you missed of pearls and pearls.