The thread on English Communication has been very interesting. I am of the view that if a person has difficulty in composing sentences, they need to learn that art. In my opinion, the best way is to read comics—particularly those created by Anand Pai, such as Amar Chitra Katha and Tinkle. These are written in a very simple manner—perhaps each sentence will have no more than 10 words. The meanings of these sentences are very clear because of the pictures. By reading these sentences frequently and learning the meaning and context with the help of pictures, a person will develop the ability to compose grammatically correct expressions for writing and, more importantly, for speaking. Comics are particularly helpful in preparing a learner to converse in informal situations—this is where many people lack confidence. By reading comics like Amar Chitra Katha and Chandamama repeatedly, a person learns to "think in English"—they do not frame a sentence in their mind and attempt to translate; their expressions are spontaneous.
Once they gain confidence, they can build up and develop, and only the sky is the limit. I am not joking—I am very serious and honest in saying that "for improving English, read comics" and do not forget to thank the genius Anand Pai.
Another Hint for Improving English
Another hint I wish to share: We must know what we want. If we encounter a word and do not know its meaning, we can refer to a dictionary. This happens when we read a report or letter. When we write, we want a particular word—an appropriate word—for the message we want to deliver. Here, we must consult a thesaurus, not a dictionary. When we have the idea in our head and we want the correct word for it, a thesaurus will help. Even if you encounter a new word and check its meaning in a dictionary, it is better to check in a thesaurus also. It will give words with similar meanings—but not identical meanings—so we may use the most appropriate word for the context in which we write.
Recommended Books for Good Formal English
For good formal English and for developing writing skills, there are several books—perhaps there should be Dummies and Idiot's guides also. I have found these books to be extremely good and useful:
1. "Writers Express" by Dave Kemper, Ruth Nathan, and Patrick Sebranek, published by DC Heath Company, USA—this is a very interesting book for children and learners. Children will love it.
2. "Nautical Miles"—it is a storybook, perhaps written to enhance the English skills of Indian youth. It should be very useful.
3. "Write Better, Speak Better" published by Reader's Digest. It is a kind of guide or reference book. It is a wonderful book and guides the reader to write in a lucid manner. I had the benefit of using this book when my career demanded writing a variety of things, right from a copy of an advertisement to replies to lawyer's notices. This is a very useful book and can be a companion for a lifetime.
I have seen postings seeking help with English communication earlier also. I want to specifically give one message to those who seek help: it is easier than it looks to learn and use English, particularly as they are now in an office and have opportunities to read and hear English. It is easy; let them cheer up, keep their eyes and ears open, and make consistent efforts. They will master English.