When learning English, it is natural to immediately focus on grammar and vocabulary. These are important, but to really sound natural and communicate clearly, you also need to pay attention to TONE, COHERENCE AND EXPRESSION.

These skills help in speaking, writing, and listening.

1. Tone – How You Sound
Tone is the feeling or attitude in your English. It can change how your message is understood.

·       Speaking: Use polite, friendly, or formal tone depending on the situation. For example, in a meeting, “I think we could try this method” is softer than “We must do it this way.”

·       Writing: Your tone shows respect or friendliness. Emails to teachers or bosses should be polite: “I would appreciate your advice on this project.”

Tip: Read your sentences out loud. Does it sound natural? Adjust if it sounds too strong, weak, or rude.

2. Coherence – Making Ideas Flow
Coherence is how your ideas connect logically. In speaking or writing, your listener or reader should follow your ideas easily.

·       Speaking: Use linking words like first, next, however, therefore to connect ideas. There are several other linking words we can apply – watch my column for future readings!

·       Writing: Paragraphs should have one main idea each. Begin with a topic sentence and add supporting sentences.

Tip: Think: “If my listener stops me here, will they understand my point?”

3. Expression – Choosing Words Carefully
Expression is how you show meaning, feelings, or opinion clearly.

·       Speaking: Use precise words or phrases instead of repeating “good” , “nice” or “bad.” For example: “That’s an interesting idea” instead of “That’s good.”

·       Writing: Show opinion politely in essays: “In my view, online learning can be very effective because…”

Tip: Learn useful phrases for expressing opinions, agreeing, disagreeing, or giving examples. This makes your English sound more advanced. Practice them often in real conversations or with a teacher so you don’t sound memorised when you speak

4. Listening – Understanding Tone and Meaning
Listening is not only about words. Pay attention to tone, stress, and rhythm.

·       Tip: Notice if the speaker is joking, serious, or polite. Repeat phrases to yourself to feel the rhythm of natural English.

Advanced English is more than grammar. Tone, coherence, and expression are key skills that make your English natural and clear. Practice these in speaking, writing, and listening to become a confident communicator.