Any suggestions on how to improve your vocabulary and writing.

[Deadly_Assassin]

One of my goals in life, say within the year is to improve my English. I will be honest in saying that my English is quite bad, while writing and speaking. I want to lose all the slang and my English should sound sophisticated and intelligent.

I have been told that reading books does help. So, I do read on a regular basis. I am reading through the Bond series by Ian Fleming at the moment. Now, it is a good idea to keep a dictionary by your side and look up words that you have never heard of before? Because I have tried it, but most of it only stays in my memory for a day or two.

Any other suggestions?

 

[SmoothTalker]

Reading with a dictionary is a great way to build your vocabulary. To get the words to stick in your head, try using them after learning them. If its not something you find a chance to use in conversation, just make up some sentences using the word and say them to yourself for a few days after learning it. It should stick after that.

Also gradually increase the level of the books you're reading. James Bond is not a bad start but try moving on to more thought provoking books eventually.

 

[theunflushables]

Word-a-day calendars.

 

[Deadly_Assassin]

Thought provoking books? Do you have any recommendations?

Word-a-day calenders. Thankyou 'theunflushables'.

 

[Smack]

One of my goals in life, say within the year is to improve my English. I will be honest in saying that my English is quite bad, while writing and speaking. I want to lose all the slang and my English should sound sophisticated and intelligent.

I have been told that reading books does help. So, I do read on a regular basis. I am reading through the Bond series by Ian Fleming at the moment. Now, it is a good idea to keep a dictionary by your side and look up words that you have never heard of before? Because I have tried it, but most of it only stays in my memory for a day or two.

Any other suggestions?

Read quality writing. This can be a quality novel or a quality newspaper ... or, really, anything which has a high standard of writing. Pook's and Rollo's posts are written in good English so they'd help you as well.

But I don't think Ian Fleming's novels are chock full of the high standard of English you're looking for. Sure, they make a great read, but not going to help you improve your vocabulary and English skills.

 

[Alle_Gory]

Read more for vocab. Dictionary helps to understand. Don't worry if you don't remember, you will eventually.

Talk more to lose your accent. The more you talk, the faster it goes. Try to emulate the accent you want, helps some.

 

[Bible_Belt]

Assasin, your written English is better than that of many people I know who speak it as their first language.

 

[Heart Break Kid]

Ah, the road to sesquipedality. Look up every word you do not know while reading the literaray masterpieces. My friend Lex says writing poetry helps you learn how to use and remember the words however it is not for the pusillanimous. If you do choose to do the latter, burn the evidence when you're finished.

 

[SmoothTalker]

Well.. I'm just finishing up the Fountainhead by Ayn Rand, which was definitely a good read in my opinion and I've heard some of her other books recommended here, so they might be worth looking into.

I'll think of some other recommendations later, its 3 am and I'm going to bed.

 

[Deadly_Assassin]

Cheers for the replies. I have ordered a word-a-day calendar, and I will be keeping a dictionary by my side while I read.