We’ve all heard the old adage “Never judge a book by its cover,” but let’s face it, we all make snap judgments about everything, everyone, all the time. The way someone dresses, their hairstyle, their gestures or the way they talk about them makes us think very well, or perhaps not so much, of that person. It is very important to make a lasting impression on people, and “Practical English Level 365 Volume 1 (Day 1 – Day 200)” by Kaakyire Akosomo Nyantakyi gives us the essential skills to communicate and write more effectively. Also, it provides lessons to substantially increase your vocabulary.
Mr. Nyantakyi emphasizes from the beginning of his book that one has to be consistent in studying the English language and work hard to see results. Homework is necessary and a fundamental aspect in the acquisition of knowledge. The famous phrase “No pain, no gain” is clear in his book.
“Practical English” is not an in-depth study of grammar, but rather a very practical overview of grammar, punctuation, and usage. Start from basic sentence structures to verbs, nouns, and then move on to punctuation, dialogue, and more advanced writing skills. Many of the topics covered are those one encounters when writing, which makes “Practical English Level 365” extremely useful. Frequent and common errors are identified and discussed, clarifying the reasoning behind such rules. Examples of correct and incorrect writing styles are given clearly and without prejudice. In some sections, formal and informal methods are demonstrated, which are correct, depending on the context.
Reading the examples of the “Instructional Dialogue” followed by the “Workshop” wonderfully illustrates the writing techniques. The reader is not only told, but also shown, how to use these skills. In addition, the practice exercises are realistic and designed to test your understanding of what you have read, ensuring a higher level of retention of what you have learned. The book is paced so that each day you are given a different exercise to study with two reading and writing assignments. I envision the exercises as an easy and intuitive way for people learning English, perhaps as a second language (ESL), to become familiar with the basics of grammar without feeling overwhelmed.
As an editor, I often find in other people’s work frequent misuse of certain words, punctuation, tense, and sentence structure. The proper use of English was taught in elementary school, but many people have forgotten it or simply need a refresher course. I encourage anyone, at any skill level, to read each exercise as instructed, as “Practical English” can be used as a resource to improve your writing skills. “Practical English Level 365 Volume 1 (Day 1-Day 200)” is easy to read, logically organized, and the focus is perfect! I highly recommend this book to students, adults, and anyone who wants to review the nuances of the English language. Simply put, it is an invaluable tool for improving the skill level of the reader.