Thoughts on Online ESL Writing Courses?

Ray Abraham · 08-25-2011, 05:46 AM

Hi Warriors,

Eric Louviere has again and again stressed that the one skill
a marketer should spend the most time in is copywriting.

I'm thinking of taking an ESL course first before engaging in
copywriting materials, since English is not my first language.
I've searched locally but it's hard to find an ESL writing course
here (they don't have such plans because the demand is low).

So, I went online and found some good courses such as:
- Essentials of Writing at EnglishOnline.Net: Course Description and Schedule ($89)
- Online Course: ESL Basic Writing Skills - Instructor Led Class and Certification ($65)
- ESL Writing Course - $129.99 - ESL Training ($129.99)

Has any of you involved in online ESL writing course? What's your
experience? Which one do you think is the best course to take?

I sincerely apologize if this is not the correct section to ask.

Thanks a lot,
Ray

Ralf Skirr · 08-25-2011, 05:50 AM

I don't know about those courses, but here's a great resource I bought a few weeks ago:

Amazon.com: CliffsNotes Writing: Grammar, Usage,... not an aff link.
Ralf

tpw · 08-25-2011, 05:50 AM

Product Reviews is probably the better place to ask.

But I tend to think that so long as the course is written by a true ESL professional, then you likely will not go wrong with it.

Chris Kent · 08-25-2011, 07:39 AM

Your English is pretty damn good already.

I'd go with what you already have and just get help to check your grammar.

tpw · 08-25-2011, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Kent

Your English is pretty damn good already.

I'd go with what you already have and just get help to check your grammar.

Good point. And you can hire an editor to mop up your grammatical mistakes.

Gail_Curran · 08-25-2011, 08:32 AM

Considering your current English skills, you might be too advanced for many of these courses and not get much out of them. Instead, buy a good book on English grammar and usage - and read it. Then focus on learning copywriting techniques rather than worrying too much about your English. Find an editor to fix your grammatical mistakes (and preferably explain where you went wrong, so you can learn).

Ray Abraham · 08-25-2011, 09:49 AM

Thanks all for the feedback and confidence. Appreciate 'em a lot

Thing is, while I can write practically error-free (or maybe a little),
I can't get the ideas flowing pretty well... especially in a longer form
of writing --like a sales copy.

I remember few years back I was asking for copy critique on this forum
and the legend Ray Edwards himself came pointing this out to me.
He said that the copy "needs a serious rewrite". because "the language
reads like an ESL writer".

Coming from him, I was convinced that copywriting isn't for everyone...

Only until recently Eric's program gave me a second thought on this
and encouraged me to go for it (by taking ESL Writing course first

).

B.Smit · 08-25-2011, 11:28 AM

I would say compile a collection of good sales copy examples - long-form sales letters and other forms of sales copy, then read them through a number of times. Also try reading them out loud, again a number of times. That should start training your brain to think in ways that would make it easier for you to write sales copy.

I agree with another poster that you might find EFL/ESL material either boring, or simply not right for your needs.

08-25-2011, 05:46 AM	#1
Ray Abraham The RAY of the Abrahams War Room Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: 9th Square, JKT, ID. Posts: 316 Thanks: 111 Thanked 15 Times in 15 Posts Social Networking	Thoughts on Online ESL Writing Courses? Hi Warriors, Eric Louviere has again and again stressed that the one skill a marketer should spend the most time in is copywriting. I'm thinking of taking an ESL course first before engaging in copywriting materials, since English is not my first language. I've searched locally but it's hard to find an ESL writing course here (they don't have such plans because the demand is low). So, I went online and found some good courses such as: - Essentials of Writing at EnglishOnline.Net: Course Description and Schedule ($89) - Online Course: ESL Basic Writing Skills - Instructor Led Class and Certification ($65) - ESL Writing Course - $129.99 - ESL Training ($129.99) Has any of you involved in online ESL writing course? What's your experience? Which one do you think is the best course to take? I sincerely apologize if this is not the correct section to ask. Thanks a lot, Ray

08-25-2011, 05:50 AM	#2
Ralf Skirr Senior Warrior Member War Room Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Germany & Thailand Posts: 1,414 Thanks: 123 Thanked 183 Times in 134 Posts Social Networking	Re: Thoughts on Online ESL Writing Courses? I don't know about those courses, but here's a great resource I bought a few weeks ago: Amazon.com: CliffsNotes Writing: Grammar, Usage,... not an aff link. Ralf

08-25-2011, 05:50 AM	#3
tpw Bill Platt War Room Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA. Posts: 8,016 Blog Entries: 4 Thanks: 6,576 Thanked 6,089 Times in 2,742 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: Thoughts on Online ESL Writing Courses? Product Reviews is probably the better place to ask. But I tend to think that so long as the course is written by a true ESL professional, then you likely will not go wrong with it.

08-25-2011, 07:39 AM	#4
Chris Kent Senior Warrior Member War Room Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 4,327 Blog Entries: 49 Thanks: 195 Thanked 1,129 Times in 574 Posts	Re: Thoughts on Online ESL Writing Courses? Your English is pretty damn good already. I'd go with what you already have and just get help to check your grammar.

08-25-2011, 08:32 AM	#6
Gail_Curran Advanced Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Ottawa, Ontario Posts: 572 Thanks: 237 Thanked 256 Times in 183 Posts Contact Info	Re: Thoughts on Online ESL Writing Courses? Considering your current English skills, you might be too advanced for many of these courses and not get much out of them. Instead, buy a good book on English grammar and usage - and read it. Then focus on learning copywriting techniques rather than worrying too much about your English. Find an editor to fix your grammatical mistakes (and preferably explain where you went wrong, so you can learn).

08-25-2011, 09:49 AM	#7
Ray Abraham The RAY of the Abrahams War Room Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: 9th Square, JKT, ID. Posts: 316 Thanks: 111 Thanked 15 Times in 15 Posts Social Networking	Re: Thoughts on Online ESL Writing Courses? Thanks all for the feedback and confidence. Appreciate 'em a lot Thing is, while I can write practically error-free (or maybe a little), I can't get the ideas flowing pretty well... especially in a longer form of writing --like a sales copy. I remember few years back I was asking for copy critique on this forum and the legend Ray Edwards himself came pointing this out to me. He said that the copy "needs a serious rewrite". because "the language reads like an ESL writer". Coming from him, I was convinced that copywriting isn't for everyone... Only until recently Eric's program gave me a second thought on this and encouraged me to go for it (by taking ESL Writing course first ).

08-25-2011, 11:28 AM	#8
B.Smit Active Warrior Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Fengshan, Taiwan Posts: 52 Thanks: 14 Thanked 25 Times in 12 Posts	Re: Thoughts on Online ESL Writing Courses? I would say compile a collection of good sales copy examples - long-form sales letters and other forms of sales copy, then read them through a number of times. Also try reading them out loud, again a number of times. That should start training your brain to think in ways that would make it easier for you to write sales copy. I agree with another poster that you might find EFL/ESL material either boring, or simply not right for your needs.