English Reading and Writing Skills

Reading and writing skills are heavily related in language learning. You need to be able to read in English to understand all English written text, whether you are trying to read a menu in a restaurant, a traffic sign in the road, a letter from the bank or an email from a friend.

Writing skills are needed to make yourself understood in English written communication, from formal usage when writing business letters to social contexts such as writing notes to friends.

 

Reading in English

Reading is a passive skill of language learning (the other passive skill is listening). When learning English, try to read as much material written in the English language as possible. This is a great way to develop your vocabulary as you will meet new words in new situations.

All reading material counts towards your reading practice, whether you enjoy grappling with novels and short stories, reading newspapers or browsing websites in English.

Reading will help you to develop a sense of which words are best used in which situations. Slight variations in nuance will become clearer the more you read English. It is helpful to slowly explore different situations and contexts through your reading so that you are exposed to more vocabulary.

Beginner students should try reading children’s books for their simple grammar and vocabulary, while intermediate students might enjoy young adult’s books, such as the Harry Potter series.

 

Many famous modern books use simple vocabulary, such as The Da Vinci Code, so these are also good for intermediate learners.

Advanced students could try classic literature, such as Jane Austen with her exquisite use of language and humour, or George Orwell, who valued clarity of expression.

‘Red top’ newspapers, such as The Daily Mirror and The Sun, are also ideal for intermediate students, as they use simple vocabulary and informal language, while themes often include celebrity gossip and other light-heart, ‘easy’ topics.

Advanced students could try broadsheet newspapers, such as The Times or The Guardian, which make use of a wider vocabulary and more formal language, while discussing world affairs and more intellectually demanding topics.

• Broadsheet newspapers will improve your knowledge of ‘proper English‘ using grammatically correct structures and subtle, nuanced language. ‘Red top’ newspapers or traditional tabloids could help to improve your use of casual language and slang.

Reading and writing skills are closely related. Whenever you develop your reading skills, you will also improve your writing skills because you will improve your understanding of grammar and how to construct sentences.

As you begin your English reading journey, rather than getting bogged down by every unfamiliar word, focus on reading for overall meaning and understanding. Use context clues, inference and prior knowledge to decipher the meaning of unknown words.

Avoid the temptation to stop and look up every single word in the dictionary. Reading for meaning allows for a smoother and more enjoyable reading experience.

Improving your English reading skills

Begin your journey to improve English reading skills by selecting reading materials that match your current proficiency level. Choose books, articles or online resources that are specifically designed for non-native speakers that offer simplified language and clear explanations.

Starting with materials at your level will build confidence and motivation as you progress in your reading journey. It is useful to read a wide variety of different kinds of material. Reading English language newspapers is an excellent way to practise reading skills in short bursts.

News stories and light-hearted features will give you an idea of serious language and lighter language and the appropriate time for both.

Comics strips and cartoons are another good way to have fun whilst improving your reading and comprehension skills. English language cartoons and comics offer visual clues about the context, which can be extra helpful for learners. For example, Garfield cartoons, super hero comics and the Beano. The Asterix cartoon books are also excellent, though a more difficult due to their humour and language puns.

If you can understand the jokes in newspaper cartoons, you are on your way to using the English language for humour and puns!

Every word you read contributes to your language development. One of the greatest advantages of reading in English is its ability to expose you to a wide range of vocabulary in context. As you encounter new words within sentences and paragraphs, you’re able to grasp their meanings based on the surrounding context.

This process of contextual learning helps expand your vocabulary organically, allowing you to absorb new words and phrases.

Improving Comprehension Skills

Reading English literature of any type also challenges your comprehension skills by exposing you to different writing styles, genres and narrative structures. Whether you’re trying to understand complex sentences in a novel or deciphering technical jargon in a news article, each reading experience improves your ability to understand and interpret written texts.

Over time, you’ll develop stronger reading comprehension skills that enable you to extract meaning from diverse sources of English literature.

Actively work on expanding your English vocabulary by regularly encountering new words and phrases in context. Keep a vocabulary journal to jot down unfamiliar words and their meanings, and review them regularly to reinforce retention. Additionally, use vocabulary-building apps, flashcards or online resources to practice and expand your vocabulary.

Enhancing Language Fluency

Fluent reading is the ability to read smoothly, accurately and with expression. By regularly immersing yourself in English texts, you’ll improve your reading fluency as you become more comfortable navigating the language’s rhythms and nuances.

Reading aloud can further enhance your fluency by reinforcing pronunciation, intonation and rhythm, making you a more confident and articulate English speaker.

Other active reading techniques include previewing the text before reading, asking questions while reading, making predictions about the content, and summarising key points after reading. Actively engaging with the material improves comprehension and retention of information.

 

Writing in English

Writing, or orthography, is often seen as the most difficult aspect of learning a language. The way words are written can appear very different from the way they are pronounced.

A solid grasp of English grammar is essential for effective writing. Take the time to review and understand the basic rules of grammar, including sentence structure, verb tense and punctuation. Use grammar guides and language learning apps to reinforce your understanding of grammar concepts and improve your writing proficiency.

The English alphabet itself may be completely different from the alphabet some learners are used to, which creates a new learning task in itself: learning the English alphabet.

English writing has its own etiquette depending on what you are writing. When writing a letter in English, for example, there are certain beginnings and endings which are commonly used in different circumstances.

Check out our letter writing guide for more details about this skill. You could also check out our Christmas card writing article for advice on writing a greetings card in English.

University students need to employ their writing skills for writing academic essays, using the English language in a specific way for academic purposes. Read more about using Academic English.

Enhance your writing skills by continuously expanding your English vocabulary. Make a habit of learning new words and phrases regularly, and practice using them in context to reinforce retention. Keep a vocabulary journal to record unfamiliar words and their meanings, and review them frequently to solidify your understanding.

Reading extensively in English exposes you to different writing styles, genres and techniques. Analyse the writing styles of authors you admire, paying attention to their use of language, tone and structure. Take note of effective writing strategies and incorporate them into your own writing practice to improve your skills.

Practising your English writing skills

In order to get writing practice it can be helpful to write using the English language whenever you can. For example, you could write lists of things you need to do or groceries you need to buy.

In doing this, you will find new vocabulary and by writing these things down you will learn new spellings. Write e-mails and notes in English whenever you can.

Like any skill, writing proficiency improves with practice. Set aside dedicated time each day or week for writing practice, whether it’s writing essays or drafting emails in English. Experiment with different writing formats and genres to develop versatility and confidence in your writing abilities.

 

An alternative way to use your writing skills is to write in a diary or journal in English. You can make notes on your day, including what you did, where you went, things you enjoyed or learned, how you felt, who you talked to and why, etc.

By writing about your day in a journal, you will be practising the past tense in English, as well as your writing skills.

Improving your English creative writing skills

It is important for EFL students to think creatively about their writing as a method of communication, rather than simply concentrating on finding the correct grammar structures. The focus should be on creativity, not only the mechanics of writing.

Writing creatively is what makes language come alive and take on new meanings.

Improving your English writing skills means more than using new words in the grammatically correct way.

When learning to write, students are often expected to be able to compose text with the ability to transform information and create a creative piece of writing from scratch.

 

However, many ESL students learning to write English in school do not have much exposure to creative writing and are only capable of ‘re-telling’ an existing composition.

Creative writing skills require more work and are something to develop as your vocabulary and grammar improve.

Don’t be afraid to seek feedback on your writing from teachers, peers or language tutors. Constructive feedback helps identify areas for improvement and provides valuable insights for refining your writing skills. Embrace the revision process by revisiting and revising your writing based on feedback and self-reflection.

Strive for clarity and conciseness in your writing by expressing ideas in a clear and straightforward manner. Avoid excessive use of complex language or jargon that may confuse readers. Instead, aim to convey your message concisely and effectively. Use transition words and cohesive devices to connect ideas and improve the flow of your writing.

Develop strong proofreading and editing skills to polish your writing and eliminate errors. Review your writing carefully for spelling, grammar, punctuation and typographical mistakes. Take breaks between writing and proofreading sessions to approach your work with fresh eyes and ensure thoroughness.

Check out our English language orthography guide for more tips on improving your writing skills.

Share your thoughts on read and writing

Do you find speaking a language easier than writing in the language?

Is reading the easiest language skill to learn? Do you have any tips for improving English reading skills?

Which English books do you think are good for learners?

Have you tried reading newspapers in English?

Do you write a journal or diary in English? How else do you practise your writing skills?

Share your ideas in the comments.