8 Ways Writing Can Help You Learn a Language

It is said that if someone knows what they want to write, they will figure it out. But what we forget in the process of learning how to write is whether or not we’re sharing the best version of our writing?

If we are learning a new language or polishing the ones we already know, writing can be as important as speaking. 

Picking up a language is definitely a skill and the best way to do it is to maintain a balance. While you speak, you write, and as you write, you speak - this could be the magic formula to learn a new language. 

‍

‍

Let us go through a few reasons why:

The 8-Fold Idea to Learning a Language

1 Increase Fluency‍

A language is a two-way road. It is primarily about comprehension. Written and spoken skills are equally essential for anyone learning a new language. When trying to learn a language, you’ll often start with speaking, but you don’t want to forget about writing and spelling to increase fluency. 

Since practice is the key to learning a language, a good sense of written and spoken language is important. There can be a number of ways to achieve this, for example writing with dictation, working on short passages, or reading exercises that involve noting down new words. These small exercises can help boost your writing skills and help increase fluency in a language.

2 Boost Vocabulary ‍

The key to any strong language skill is a good vocabulary. One key to building a good vocabulary is to write more because this encourages the usage of new words in new types of sentences.

Vocabulary in new languages can be tricky and often confusing. So, when stuck with a new word, always refer to resources like Drops and then use them in your writing. These resources can also include online resources, textbooks for beginners, and valid translator apps that are available. This way, the learning process remains interesting from the beginning and helps boost self-confidence from the very beginning.  

3 Activate Language Learning Centers of the Brain‍

One of the most scientific reasons to develop writing as a practice of learning a language is that it has a direct effect on the human brain. Writing by hand stimulates a part of the brain known as the Reticular Activating System (RAS), which is the most crucial memory area. 

When you write, you remember. And when you remember, it becomes easier to speak out and present ideas in a clear manner. In terms of learning a language, it helps the brain to retain new words and use them in conversations.

‍

4 Better Reading Skills‍

You would not want to learn a language and only be able to speak basic sentences. When you learn a new language, you might also want to read, write or even sing in the language. When you are writing, the words become more familiar to you, because they tap into your visual senses. 

Visualizing something has always proven to be more effective in learning. In terms of language, when you write regularly, you learn words quickly and this helps a lot when you’re reading more. 

5 “Slow-Learning Approach”‍

The process of written learning can often feel slow. It can be time-consuming since the brain takes some time to get used to new words and their use in sentences. 

However, instead of a fast-paced learning system where you can only be half-sure of what they are learning to speak or read, writing helps the students to be sure of their strengths and weaknesses. There is more time to point out and correct mistakes and gives the new learner a chance to explore new aspects on their own. 

‍

‍

6 Learning from Mistakes ‍

We live in a time when everything is readily available. Hitting a few buttons on our devices puts the whole world at our doorsteps. While this is a huge advantage, it can also be a negative aspect for learners. 

There are various online services that can provide writing solutions for students of any discipline. Some of the best essay writing services online can provide excellent written work when anyone requires help. What’s more, it gives people a chance to get a sample of high-quality writing to look up to and thus develop their written skills, especially when it comes to a new language they are learning. 

When we write and rewrite something, there are better chances of us not repeating the same mistakes. Therefore, writing - and rewriting - becomes crucial to develop proficiency in any language. Along with this, another important task for any new learner is to revisit their previous works and improve upon them.

7 Tracking Progress‍

When it comes to picking up a new language, there are a number of resources available that help language students pick up speaking skills very fast. Most language learning apps that are available to students have a tracking system (like Streaks in Drops). These progress trackers can help new learners maintain a record of what they are learning and what they need to work on. 

How do you assess your progress with your consistent study? Reading exercises and timely quizzes with scores are the best methods of assessing one’s progress. For example, you can jump into the Drops Review Dojo after you’ve learned 50 words to see how well you remember what you’ve learned. 

Beyond this, when one starts writing, they can pinpoint their weak points and what else they need to know to polish their language skills. If there are mistakes, one can see them rather than just depending on auditory senses, something that goes a long way to pick up a new language.   

8 Feedback Friendly‍

Want to know one of the best ways to check in on your writing and speaking skills? Get feedback! Feedback is an excellent way to recruit the help of an outside source that is already an authority on the language. Tutors on platforms like italki or Preply are great places to start.

Bring Out the Notebooks 

There was a time when having a pen pal was a fashionable thing to do. Today, the pens we once used to craft letters to our friends abroad have been replaced with instant messages, text messages, and e-mails. But it is never too late to go back to something. 

If you are a language student who wants to polish the rough edges of your skills, the best idea would be to pick up a pen every day and write at least a few sentences that help you remember how to construct sentences and add a new word every day. After all, learning a language and writing can be one of the best ways to boost your creative brain cells. 

---

About the Author: Jessica Fender is a professional writer and educational blogger at GetGoodGrade, an aggregator for useful college resources and websites. Jessica enjoys sharing her ideas to make writing and learning fun.

‍