4 Success Tips for ESL Bloggers – Blogging From Paradise

ESL bloggers experience a mix of excitement and fear just like everyone else.

But blogging with English as your second language feels a little more uncomfortable for most.

Do you speak a second language? How did it feel before you became fluent?

ESL bloggers are bold. I tip my hat to this lot.

Like all bloggers, most quit. Reasons vary but I suspect system failure sits at the top of the list.

Follow these specific steps to follow a smart system.

Ease through ESL-related obstacles with these practical steps.

1: Practice Writing

Write. Write some more. Write some more. The simplest way to gain confidence writing in English is……to write in English.

Write at least 500 words in English daily. Open a Word document. Write 500 words about anything. Trash the document. Gain confidence. Get clear. The simplest way to become a skilled writer – in any language – is to write in that language.

Writing is the quickest way to iron out kinks. Seize opportunities to write in English via:

blog posts
guest posts
genuine blog comments
social media chats
emails

Put in your writing repetitions. Discipline yourself not to reply in your native tongue for at least 1-2 hours daily. Do this consistently. Stick to writing in English.

Be amazed at the power of practicing.

Writing diligently is an underrated strategy for developing confidence. Most bloggers believe that publishing content inconsistently is the best way to become confident. Nope. Writing like the dickens in private is the quickest way to become a confident blogger. This goes for native English speakers and ESL bloggers, folks.

Drop a comment below this blog post. Put yourself out there. Writing in private helps. Writing in public enhances your skills. Being seen by the general population triggers various ESL fears, including the fear of looking like a fool. Everyone needs to knife through these awkward emotions to become a confident blogger.

2: Watch YouTube Videos in English

Watch YouTube videos in English to sponge up the English language. Listening to native English speakers programs you to think and speak like native English speakers.

Soak up nuances. Observe figures of speech. Learn through immersion.

I came across more than one person who learned English by watching videos.

I remember one Moroccan pier guard I worked with decades ago who became fluent by watching movies in English.

Spend time watching YouTube videos in English.

Learn through osmosis.

3: Lose Critics and Befriend Uplifting Bloggers

Lose critics who pick apart your English-writing and English-speaking skills. Overly negative, critical people suffer fear-pain and attempt to project onto you by belittling you. Lose these people. Surround yourself with uplifting bloggers who see brilliance in you. Surround yourself with compassionate bloggers who offer honest, loving, kind feedback from the heart.

Maintain a positive blogging environment. Surround yourself only with uplifting bloggers. Gain confidence through your supportive, loyal blogger friend network. Wade out of your ESL blogger comfort zone via cheerleaders masquerading as your blogging friends. Blogging in your second language seems easier with loving friends egging you on.

4: Network ONLY in English-Speaking Circles

I recall visiting Peru for 2 weeks in 2013. My wife went to the Amazon on a retreat.

I lived in Cusco and Lima for a week each. I spent my time in Spanish-speaking neighborhoods. I was the only Gringo in those spots. Speaking only Spanish for 2 weeks felt highly uncomfortable because I hadn’t spoken Spanish in 20 years and never became fluent.

In moments, I felt stupid and embarrassed as Peruvians spoke rapid-fire Spanish to me, and I could barely understand what they said. But my Spanish-speaking skills grew like a weed because I was forced to only speak Spanish for half a month.

Resist the urge to sprint back to your native tongue comfort zone. Network only with bloggers who speak English and write in English to gain practice, confidence, clarity and skills.

Let your love of connecting with readers in English, giving you access to a far greater audience, overcome your fear of conversing in your second language. Through osmosis, you will speak, write and even think seamlessly in English by following this simple practice diligently.