Greetings to my family, friends and superiors in dis great forum. To start with, I am a 200l undergraduate student studying in one of the prestigious universities in Nigeria. I find it difficult to write very well and my command of english is poor. I have searched on line where i was given tips such as reading a lot of books, watching movies e.t.c. but all to no avail. Even though effective communication is not a yardstick to measure intelligence, i find it embarassing not partcipating in group discussions within my mates and even if i do, i always lack d right words to use when talking. In addition to dat, wen eva an event is organised and am required to write abt it or abt my experience in a pace, i wouldnt b able to. If an argument ensues in my class whatsapp group btw one of my mates and i, am always mute not becos i am dumb but becos i find it very difficult to argue contructively. Any tip(s) aside the aforementioned ones would help me pls. Thanks in anticipation as u contribute to help a stranded friend.

Read books, watch movies and try to communicate in English most times

Read books,speak English more often even if they laugh at you,take it as learning and am sure you're from ondo!

If u are the one who wrote the above post, then u hv no problem. All I see is fear and low self esteem. Work on ur confidence, believe that u are not dumb and can achieve anything u set ur mind to achieve.
Also, practice more of these, write abt anything at ur leisure time. Read books and try to summarize them with your own words. Engage in conversation with your friends, b4 u know it u will start getting better and better.

wHyyyyyyyyyY:
Read books, watch movies and try to communicate in English most times

Thanks. Mind telling me d kinds of books?

iamteegee:
Read books,speak English more often even if they laugh at you,take it as learning and am sure you're from ondo!

Thanks. Am not from ondo... surrounded by folks who depend on me to improve theirs

Read story books... Simple story books like those of primary school... Preferably short drama books

Go out to a park or a football field...and dramatize the books...speak out the dialogues in those books...bit by bit... You'll get there!

If you're a Christian... Don't be too far from reading the old testament...yes..go out to an open field...read it out to yourself!

Just give yourself a month or two... Things will change!

Mailthaddeus:
If u are the one who wrote the above post, then u hv no problem. All I see is fear and low self esteem. Work on ur confidence, believe that u are not dumb and can achieve anything u set ur mind to achieve.
Also, practice more of these, write abt anything at ur leisure time. Read books and try to summarize them with your own words. Engage in conversation with your friends, b4 u know it u will start getting better and better.

... Are u a psychologist? hw could u b so accurate. Nevertheless, the post took time to consruct and i am surrounded by dudes whom i seem to b better dan

More suggestions and comments pls

If you wrote the Post yourself, you aren't as bad as you think.


However, I think you should learn to write full sentences instead of short words.


You can't know how much you are good at writing without writing words well.


Another thing is, you need to. Improve on your self esteem, nobody will do that for you except YOU.

Read books, watch movies and communicate in English often.


You may not get the desired results immediately but over a period of time, you will notice improvements.


Regards!

OP, improving your use of English is easy if you put your mind to it. You can begin even here on nairaland, as there are many people who have an excellent command of English on here. Follow them, observe how they articulate words. It will teach you to express yourself easily and clearly. However, you should bear in mind that that alone will not suffice. The Golden rule to mastering the use of English is:

* Reading wide. Read anything and everything. It will help you to build your vocabulary.

*Listen attentively. Listen to the words people say, and how they say it. When you listen, do so with the intention of learning. Listen not only to the words being spoken but how they are being spoken.
When two articulate persons converse, listen even more closely. You could pick a bunch of words from their conversation.

*Avoid using fillers such as errm, ummmm, 'as in', like, ah, etc. They'll stall you further.


*Focus. Focus on the meaning of what you want to communicate. It will teach you to be precise. Do not say more than is necessary.

*Start simple. Go easy on yourself. Avoid using big words you barely even understand. A lot of beginners do this to impress but often end up embarrassing themselves. At this point, your aim is to be understood, not confuse.

*Have the courage to say what you think. To effectively convey your opinions, you have to be confident about yourself. I have a feeling this is where you're most lacking. Do not hesitate to make an input when you believe you have something valuable to contribute. If you're the shy type, start funny. Make the class or group laugh with your first sentence. It will make you feel more comfortable.

*Practice. This should go without saying.

To improve your fluency, read lots of books and read aloud.

iamteegee:
Read books,speak English more often even if they laugh at you,take it as learning and am sure you're from ondo!

No, Ebonyi

Pharmumar:
Greetings to my family, friends and superiors in dis great forum. To start with, I am a 200l undergraduate student studying in one of the prestigious universities in Nigeria. I find it difficult to write very well and my command of english is poor. I have searched on line where i was given tips such as reading a lot of books, watching movies e.t.c. but all to no avail. Even though effective communication is not a yardstick to measure intelligence, i find it embarassing not partcipating in group discussions within my mates and even if i do, i always lack d right words to use when talking. In addition to dat, wen eva an event is organised and am required to write abt it or abt my experience in a pace, i wouldnt b able to. If an argument ensues in my class whatsapp group btw one of my mates and i, am always mute not becos i am dumb but becos i find it very difficult to argue contructively. Any tip(s) aside the aforementioned ones would help me pls. Thanks in anticipation as u contribute to help a stranded friend.

your constraint is simply low self esteem.Improve on this aspect and you're good to go.The only difference between you and your friends is that you're always afraid not to make mistakes because you think they might laugh you.And don't tell me you haven't heard them made mistakes. so it simply means no one is perfect. Even the greatest speakers of today make mistakes; some of which go unnoticed because they speak with confidence.Personally, I was in the same shoes as you before but I realised being afraid to speak even made me worse..Since I'm not too good at making people laugh, If they are able to laugh at my mistakes, I think I've achieved something tangible;Atimes it makes you more famous.Why do you think patience is more famous than Aisha?Even though,She knew she had committed blunders on numerous occasions, It didn't stop her from speaking with confidence.. And I'm very sure you're much better than her..Learn to accept your mistakes as part of the fun.No amount of books will help you my guy..The ball is in your court!

Reading alone is not going to cut it. Go to youtube and download and listen to audiobooks.

Read, watch movies, Read and jot, watch movies again... Then read , read read

YoungRichRuler:
If you wrote the Post yourself, you aren't as bad as you think.


However, I think you should learn to write full sentences instead of short words.


You can't know how much you are good at writing without writing words well.


Another thing is, you need to. Improve on your self esteem, nobody will do that for you except YOU.

Read books, watch movies and communicate in English often.


You may not get the desired results immediately but over a period of time, you will notice improvements.


Regards!

noted.. tanks but pls wat do u mean by You can't know how much you are good at writing without
writing words well

malton:
OP, improving your use of English is easy if you put your mind to it. You can begin even here on nairaland, as there are many people who have an excellent command of English on here. Follow them, observe how they articulate words. It will teach you to express yourself easily and clearly. However, you should bear in mind that that alone will not suffice. The Golden rule to mastering the use of English is:

* Reading wide. Read anything and everything. It will help you to build your vocabulary.

*Listen attentively. Listen to the words people say, and how they say it. When you listen, do so with the intention of learning. Listen not only to the words being spoken but how they are being spoken.
When two articulate persons converse, listen even more closely. You could pick a bunch of words from their conversation.

*Avoid using fillers such as errm, ummmm, 'as in', like, ah, etc. They'll stall you further.


*Focus. Focus on the meaning of what you want to communicate. It will teach you to be precise. Do not say more than is necessary.

*Start simple. Go easy on yourself. Avoid using big words you barely even understand. A lot of beginners do this to impress but often end up embarrassing themselves in the end. At this point, your aim is to be understood, not confuse.

*Have the courage to say what you think. To effectively convey your opinions, you have to be confident about yourself. I have a feeling this is where you're most lacking. Do not hesitate to make an input when you believe you have something valuable to contribute. If you're the shy type, start funny. Make the class or group laugh with your first sentence. It will make you feel more comfortable.

*Practice. This should go without saying.

well written thanks

MrEgghead:
your constraint is simply low self esteem.Improve on this aspect and you're good to go.The only difference between you and your friends is that you're always afraid not to make mistakes because you think they might laugh you.And don't tell me you haven't heard them made mistakes. so it simply means no one is perfect. Even the greatest speakers of today make mistakes; some of which go unnoticed because they speak with confidence.Personally, I was in the same shoes as you before but I realised being afraid to speak even made me worse..Since I'm not too good at making people laugh, If they are able to laugh at my mistakes, I think I've achieved something tangible;Atimes it makes you more famous.Why do you think patience is more famous than Aisha?Even though,She knew she had committed blunders on numerous occasions, It didn't stop her from speaking with confidence.. And I'm very sure you're much better than her..Learn to accept your mistakes as part of the fun.No amount of books will help you my guy..The ball is in your court!

thanks

Just one advice.
Don't be afraid of people laughing at your mistakes, if they do, laugh with them and quickly move on to the next sentence

All I'm seeing in your post is the fear of what you will say next

Pharmumar:
noted.. tanks but pls wat do u mean by You can't know how much you are good at writing without
writing words well

What I meant was that you need to be writing your words in FULL, not using words like 'gurls' for girls or 'tanks' for thanks.

It's better for you to write your sentences well in order to improve.

You aren't a bad writer as you think

write words in full.

Read a wide array of books.


STOP cyberspeak! Using "smtin" "dat" "2mao" and other incongrous pigdin words when having a conversations.

Talk to yourself. Yep; have discussions inside your head using proper diction.

With time and dedication; you will attain eloquence.

YoungRichRuler:


What I meant was that you need to be writing your words in FULL, not using words like 'gurls' for girls or 'tanks' for thanks.

It's better for you to write your sentences well in order to improve.

You aren't a bad writer as you think

thank u sa

ITbomb:
Just one advice.
Don't be afraid of people laughing at your mistakes, if they do, laugh with them and quickly move on to the next sentence

All I'm seeing in your post is the fear of what you will say next

100% correct. Any addition aside conquering dat?

SirWere:
write words in full.

Read a wide array of books.


STOP cyberspeak! Using "smtin" "dat" "2mao" and other incongrous pigdin words when having a conversations.

Talk to yourself. Yep; have discussions inside your head using proper diction.

With time and dedication; you will attain eloquence.

thanks

Any other view?