Transform your writing: Simple techniques for instant improvement

19 Oct, 2024

With guest speaker - Mr. Clay Wilkins shared, “My students often struggle with two main issues in English: coherence and the ability to present ideas in a diverse and engaging manner.” To address these challenges, he frequently recommends leveraging the power of 'adverbs' and 'conjunctions' as keys to unlocking language in a more efficient and effective way. This was also the central theme of the recent language workshop: Transform your writing: Simple techniques for instant improvement, organized by UEH English Zone and featuring a presentation by Mr. Clay Wilkins.

"Adverbs in a sentence do more than just a cherry on top; they bring sentences to life, making them more engaging and insightful. By clarifying the meaning, they help readers to develop a deeper understanding of the actions and events being described. Consequently, they significantly enhance the overall quality of writing. However, many learners avoid using adverbials due to their perceived complexity.

“I dislike how they complicate language, especially English,” shared Mr.Clay. “Complexity breeds fear and makes language learning tedious.” Therefore, his teaching methods are designed to be simple, understandable, and enjoyable while remaining effective. Through visual examples and straightforward categorization, the speaker helped students grasp the importance of adverbials and how to use them appropriately."

The speaker shares how to classify and use adverbs

In addition to enhancing sentence quality through the use of adverbs, Mr. Clay Wilkins shared insights on conjunctions to help students overcome coherence issues in their English writing. Using the familiar 'FANBOYS' method, with a fresh and engaging approach, Mr. Wilkins enabled students to improve the coherence of their writing, particularly through the highly engaging on-the-spot practice activities he provided.

FANBOYS method of memorizing conjunctions

Additionally, the language workshop provides students with an opportunity to express their challenges in English language learning and receive valuable advice from their instructors to overcome common difficulties. To conclude the workshop, a short game was organized to help students practice the vocabulary and linking words discussed during the session.

Students exchange questions with the speaker

The workshop was a great success, attracting significant interest from the UEH community of language enthusiasts. The two-hour session was filled with a lively atmosphere, a strong learning spirit, and active participation.

As part of the UEH English Zone project, the language workshop is a monthly event with various practical themes to gradually increase students' and staff members' interest in learning English, fostering habits, and stimulating their intrinsic motivation. To register and participate in upcoming language workshops, please interact and follow UEH English Zone fanpage for the latest updates.