Basic English Language Skills To start off with, here are a few tips for improving your general  language and communication skills: 1.  Read as much as possible. Reading improves your vocabulary,  and helps you to become familiar with sentence structure,  word order, and the correct use of punctuation. 2.  Invest in a good dictionary. When you are unsure of the  meaning of a word, or when you come across an unfamiliar  word, make sure to look it up in your dictionary. 3.  Keep a journal. This will give you an opportunity to practice  your writing skills on a regular basis.