Written by Gabriela Estrada

Learning English can be easier and faster than many people think, especially when creative ways of practicing the language are employed. One of the best ways to raise your English level is through writing, especially for those who love letters, but also for those who need to discover a different way to incorporate English into their lives.

Today I will provide strategies for creating a short story that leads to effective English language learning. Read along with me in this blog to the end with the steps and tips to activate your creative abilities and put them to use in the service of the English language. Let's get started.

What does it take to create a short story in English?

The first resource is that of motivation and the desire to learn for intellectual growth. Speaking English opens many doors, so the following tips will be very helpful in using imagination and prior knowledge when writing your own story. Follow these steps:

1. Find a source of inspiration!

Inspiration can come from anywhere, from a personal experience, a dream, a conversation or an image. So start by connecting with that theme or idea. It can be something as simple as a walk in the park or as complex as a long journey through various regions.

2. Plan your story

Before you begin writing, it is helpful to make a basic plan for your story. Decide on the key elements of a story such as: characters, setting, plot, conflict, and denouement.

3. Write in plain English!

Since you are learning English, don't worry about using complicated language. Use simple, clear sentences. Simplicity is powerful and can make your story more understandable and effective. In this step, it is important to situate yourself in your level of English and the scope of your learned vocabulary and verb tenses, so you will be aligned with your program's curriculum. 

4. Use new vocabulary

Take this opportunity to unleash your imagination and dare to incorporate new words you have learned. Try to use terms and phrases that are relevant to your story, but make sure they fit naturally into the context. It's always good to explore a little further and look for synonyms to help enrich your vocabulary.

5. Practice grammar and syntax.

Pay attention to grammar and sentence structure. Use what you have learned in your English classes to make your writing correct and fluent. Remember to proofread and edit your work to correct any errors.

6. Incorporate dialogue into your text

Dialogue can make your story more dynamic and interesting. Writing conversations between characters will help you practice using different tenses and forms of speech.

7. Review and edit the material

After writing your first version, take the time to revise and make corrections. You can ask your English teacher to help you. 

8. Trust your creative ability and have fun.

We are all creative! This ability is innate and what we need to do is to enhance it. The secret is to discover our own style and ways to use creativity to improve the language.

Learn English with Planeta Immiland

At Planeta Immiland, our immigration language school for Canada, we use strategies to spark the interest, motivation and learning of our students. Writing short stories has led people of all ages to build vocabulary and speak more fluently in the classroom, whether virtual or face-to-face, as they manage to level up step by step and in a fun way, without the stress of doing long and tedious tasks.

Now that you have this strategy for writing a short story in English, are you ready to take the first step? If you would like to learn more about our courses and methodologies, contact us at and we will be happy to help you. Thank you very much for reading to the end.

Success in your creative process to learn English!

With love,

Planet Immiland