HAVING TROUBLE WITH ENGLISH ? (for ESL students)

• Never simply assume that people will understand.

• Go back to basics.

• Don’t add flourishes from your native language.

• Write short, complete sentences. Put a period [.] at the end of every sentence.

• Never assume words and idioms from your language will be understood.

• Remember S.V.O. You need a Subject, Verb and Object in every sentence.

• Read and emulate only native English until your writing is where you need it to be.

• Encourage your native English readers to be honest with you. If they can’t understand your English, you should take responsibility.

• Avoid run-on sentences: keep them short for now.

• You have a genuine treasure to share. You can’t reach people by blaming them. Let them help you.

~ DrRobinStarbuck
Professor of English
New York University