How to get your English unstuck (without grammar books)

You’ve been using English for ages and you’re doing fine.

Yet you long to dazzle your listeners when you talk about your latest photo series, the earrings you just designed, or your new client package.

Or perhaps you’d love to thrill your readers with your blog posts.

If only.

Does it feel like you’ll never be better than good enough?

Please don’t give up.

Do you play tennis? And do you practise your serve to make it stronger and faster? How about the piano? Do you warm up with scales to keep your fingers nimble?

Language is a skill too.

Here are 3 hassle-free habits to get your English unstuck. None involves a grammar book. Yay!

The advantages of stealing

For Oscar Wilde,“Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery”. And active copying of other people’s writing is a smart way to make your writing flow.

How?

Copy a passage by hand to stimulate hand-brain links. Notice the phrases, grammar and style. Think about why this expression works and how to use this grammar structure.

It only takes about 10 minutes. Keep repeating and you’ll bolster both your writing and speaking skills. You’ll also develop a feel for the way English works. So you’ll sound more natural.

You can copy a variety of texts: posts by your favourite bloggers, articles in magazines and parts of books.

Recently I found a French travel book with an A-Z of short entries in everyday language. Perfect for 10 minutes of active copying a couple of times a week. Now it’s becoming easier to get the gender of words and the endings of verbs right – two of my bugbears (annoying things I always do wrong).

For more advice on active copying, read my post “Is writing in English to grow your business your next step?”.

The hidden power of speed

Free writing helps generate ideas or overcome writer’s block. It can also boost writing in a foreign language.

Speedwriting is free writing under time pressure. Get down as many words as possible in 5, 7 or 10 minutes.

But hey, what about vocabulary and grammar?

Don’t worry about them while writing. Instead, keep the flow going. If you can’t think of how to say something in English, write it in your language and carry on.

When time’s up, count the number of words you’ve written. Finally go over your writing to find anything you’re not sure about. Now you can look it up.

Don’t know what to write about?

Email me for a list of 28 topics to get you started.

My current speedwriting topic in French is films. First I brainstormed the genres like comedy, historical drama and documentaries. Then who’s involved in making movies. Also favourite films and actors. Now I speedwrite twice a week and can do over 200 words in 7 minutes. What’s more, I can talk more easily in French about films.

Read my post “How to speed up your Business English writing” for guidance on speedwriting.

The surprising power of relaxation

Feel like sitting down with a cup of coffee, chocolate and a captivating book?

Want to call it language learning?

Well, you can.

Relaxed reading helps you absorb vocabulary and grammar. Research has shown that people who read regularly improve their language more than those who don’t. And talking or writing about what you’ve read gives even more of a lift.

Choose something you find fun so your brain relaxes. Then your subconscious can soak up new words and grammar. Read regularly to have repeated chances of bumping into new words.

I switch between reading novels in English, German and French and my favourites include spy thrillers and historical sagas. For French, I’m currently sticking to modern books with lots of dialogue to help me with my everyday speaking.

A leisurely schedule

As many of us are fresher at the start of the day, spend 10 minutes first thing on these hassle-free habits. Try alternating active copying one morning and speedwriting the next.

And read a book for pleasure for about 20 minutes most evenings to unwind.

I do 2 mornings of active copying and 2 mornings of speedwriting – the other 2 mornings I train vocabulary – plus some relaxed reading before bed.

The trick is to prepare in advance by collecting texts for active copying, prompts for speedwriting and choosing your book.

Then you’re all set.

Practise this painless 3-pronged programme each week. And quickly get your English unstuck.

Still not a grammar book in sight.

Isn’t that fun?

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© Christina Wielgolawski