How to Improve your English Grade
1. Take responsibility
It’s easy to expect your teacher to teach you English, but that’s not how language acquisition works. The
teacher is there to help you learn English. This requires an active participation and effort from the student
instead of a passive response.
2. Read regularly
The importance of developing a regular reading habit cannot be overstated. All students who score highly
in English are avid readers. Read books, magazines, novels, and newspapers in English. The Winchester
blogsite has lots of articles and reading lists. Please visit: www.winchesterenglish.blogspot.com
3. Practise creative writing at home
It is vital to practise writing skills on a regular basis. Students may work on essays, film reviews, character
descriptions, and general creative writing. (Please find attached a list of appropriate essay topics. For a
more comprehensive list please visit www.winchesterenglish.blogspot.com and click on “Essay topics” on
the index). Send articles to the English department e-magazine: www.phoebusonline.com
4. Use a more varied vocabulary
Check the meaning of new words. Maintain a vocabulary list or a personal dictionary. Use new words in
essays. Download WordWeb (an excellent, free, quick, and easy-to-use computer dictionary). Visit:
http://wordweb.info/
5. Self study and online learning
There are numerous websites that help students improve their English language skills. Check the English
department website: sites.google.com/site/mrrobertsenglish for numerous language worksheets and a list of
appropriate websites specially selected for our students by Winchester English teachers.
6. Use forums
First find a forum you like. It’s not difficult. Nowadays you can find a forum for any topic you can think of.
If you have a hobby or sport, why not share your passion? A good forum should be well moderated and
have enough active members. Forums where you have to register to participate are better than free for alls,
where you may have trouble from spammers etc.
7. Incorporate English into your daily life
It is very important for a child to learn their native language. However, while this may be true, it is also
important for students to practise their speaking, reading, and writing skills in English even outside school.
Perhaps practise speaking in English with a sibling or your friend. (Remember 50 minutes a day in class is
no where nearly enough to improve one’s language skills.)
8. Avoid errors in spelling
Everyone makes errors in spelling. The important thing is to not repeat those errors over and over again.
Have a spelling book in which you write down words that you misspell frequently. Go through the list on a
regular basis and avoid repeating your mistakes.
9. Focus on proper use of tenses
It is important to pay proper attention to tenses. Where appropriate, try and stick to the same tense
throughout your writing. Avoid starting with the past tense and then switching to present and then to the
past again.
10. Proofread
Always revise and proofread your work before handing it in.
11. Develop listening skills
Listen to the news regularly. Watch films and documentaries in English. Listen to audio books.
12. Pay attention to your teacher’s feedback
Don’t simply look at your grade. Read the feedback the teacher has given. Try and put that into practice the
next time you hand in an assignment.