Exposure to English Outside of Class can Help Non-Native Speakers Improve Their Writing

Students who are new to the English language can improve their speaking and writing skills if they are exposed to the language outside of class. According to a study that was completed at Sweden's University of Gothenburg, this type of "extramural" learning is essential for developing one's understanding of an unfamiliar lexicon.
Researcher Eva Olsson looked at the written work of 37 Swedish students writing in English. Each 16-year-old participant documented their daily exposure to the language, whether through films or computer games.
She found that the students who had a lot of exposure to English outside of their classes felt confident using the language in conversation and writing. She noted that these students used "longer sentences and a more varied vocabulary than those with less extramural exposure."
Olsson also added that "if you view a pupil's linguistic register as a palette, those pupils with extensive exposure to English in their spare time appear to have a richer palette with more different shades."
Teachers who want to help their students improve English writing and speaking may consider encouraging such extramural contact.
Non-native speakers who are trying to improve their translations to English may want to note the importance of absorbing a new language through aural mediums. Moreover, they may eventually benefit from a reliable online translator, as international employers and schools may demand proficiency in English writing.