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Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/47327
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/47327
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

To improve your mastery of a language, you need to immerse yourself in it, as much as you can. This doesn't necessarily mean travelling to a location where the language is spoken, though that would certainly help. Here are some other things you can do. **The more you do, and the more often, the higher your proficiency will be.**

- Read newspapers. This would provide you with vocabulary related to everyday subjects, as well as expose you to modern-day language. With rare exceptions, you can trust newspapers to use correct grammar and punctuation.
- Read literature. Literature offers a wider vocabulary and a wider range of registers. It can, however, be more flexible with standard grammar, and the usage of some words, structures, or figures of speech might be antiquated.
- Read nonfiction. That is what you want to write, so read it. See how people express their ideas.
- Watch movies. It's important to hear the language, not just to read it. Even if your goal is writing rather than speaking.
- Listen to songs you like. Find the lyrics and sing along. This helps you remember both individual words and larger structures.
- Play computer games, if that's your thing. Being exposed to a language through fun activities doesn't feel like "work", but you're learning the language just the same.
- Communicate in writing. There's Stack Exchange, there are forums, there's Reddit, there's Facebook and Twitter... Find whatever platforms suit you best, express your thoughts, get responses. Passive acquisition of the language is insufficient - you need to actively use it if you wish to write.
- Find people you can talk with, preferably native speakers. For the same reason as above, only now faster - you cannot open a dictionary to find the right word, you need to find it at the speed of thought.
- Learn the grammar rules. This shouldn't be your focus - grammar should come naturally, same as it does in your native language. But if you find yourself in doubt, you can always fall back on the rule.

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