B - A natural way of acquiring a language

Joshi Y. 2007. A systematic approach to improving writing skills. Current Science 92: 1343–4

Suggests a kind of action plan for those ESL (English as secondlanguage) researchers who wish to improve their writing skills.
In the manner of an old-fashioned general practitioner, the suggested prescription is a ‘mixture’ comprising (a) extensive reading, (b) a modest amount of progressively difficult writing assignments, (c) revising one’s writing, and (d) developing a concern for readers.
It is possible, simply through massive exposure, to absorb typical patterns of English sentences and to string words together in those patterns without any formal study of grammar.

http://www.ias.ac.in/currsci/may252007/1343.pdf

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