Hi, I'm Natalia, and my first language is Russian

...and I blog and write for the media in English

I'm sharing simple tools that I use to structure my ideas in English and make them easy to read. Check out my articles for the Singapore startup community e27. Feel free to read my blog on LinkedIn as well.
See what I write
Watch Intro Video

Video

Course curriculum

  • 1

    Welcome to the course!

    • What this course is about and what to expect

    • The course structure
  • 2

    Chapter #1. Writing a blog when English is your second language

    • Before we begin

    • Learn to think in English, stop translating

    • Stop translating. Video Tutorial

    • Stop translating. Presentation.

    • Homework and all the useful links

    • How to do the 30 day writing challenge?

    • Where to submit homework?

    • Video answers to FAQ. First homework, 30-day challenge and our FB group...

    • TIP: make daily writing easier

    • HOMEWORK. Practice thinking in English

  • 3

    Chapter #2. How to edit your writing. Is it even English?

    • How to edit your writing and the way you think

    • Video Tutorial. Is it even English?

    • Presentation. How to edit your writing.

    • Links to the resources where you can check yourself

    • Weak Words. VIDEO

    • Weak Words: The answers... and a new task

    • Video example: How to revisit what you think, say, and write in English

    • Video example 2: How to revisit what you think, say, and write in English

    • What is "it" in your speech?

    • How to take the best from the #30daychallenge

    • Homework

    • Video feedback

    • A complete list of resources to edit your thinking... and your English texts
  • 4

    Chapter #3. All about vocabulary in your blog posts

    • How to use better language in your writing.

    • How to find the right synonyms

    • Zombie nouns. Examples

    • Eliminating unnecessary words from your texts. Ideas for independent practice.

  • 5

    Chapter #4. Creative Writing. Exercises

    • Creative Writing. Video Tutorial

    • Creative Writing. Presentation

    • VIDEO: How to use Pinterest and other social networks for inspiration

    • How I use Pinterest to practice creative writing

    • Writing a Letter to Self. Examples.

    • Why you need to read more to write better

    • Advice on creative writing from Stephen King

    • Metaphors and idioms that can spice up your speech

    • Creative Writing. Useful links & Examples

    • How to submit Homework

    • Final assignment for SKILL 3

    • Video feedback (a part of the final assignment)
  • 6

    Chapter #5. Blogging. What's your story?

    • Let's define your focus for this section

    • Practical task #1

    • HEADLINES for your posts and publications

    • Examples of great headlines and tools to analyze the ones you create yourself

    • Video Tutorial. The Zoom-In-Zoom-Out technique

    • Zoom-in-Zoom-out Technique. Presentation
  • 7

    Chapter #6. How to begin?

    • Two simple tips to begin a story. Begin, end, make a point. Close the loop.

    • 7 ways to begin a story. Presentation

    • VIDEO TUTORIAL. 7 ways to begin a STORY

    • Summary of practical tasks so far in this section

    • Practical task: Submit the beginning of your story here
  • 8

    Chapter #7. How to end your story and get your point across?

    • How to end a story and get your point across

    • VIDEO Tutorial. How to end your story and get your point across

    • Examples of how you can get your point across in a story

    • Where to find inspiration? Podcasts, Blogs, Stories.

    • Your story. Practical Task

    • A smart tip to edit your beginning/end....and also scan your resume!

    • Writing your future stories
  • 9

    Chapter #8. Connecting your ideas

    • How to connect your ideas and why it's important

    • Download a list of connectors you can use every day

    • Practical exercise. Where to look for great connectors

    • Examples of good connectors. Another Practical task

    • Homework

    • What now? Another practical task
  • 10

    Review

    • Review. Let's see what you got done!

I started this project because I CAN. And If I can, you can do it too.

Start today and have a running blog and your first published stories in 30 days

Founder

Natalia Tokar

Natalia Tokar is the Founder of this online school and UpSkillMe. She is a Public Speaking & Communication Coach for non-native speakers, business leaders, and sales teams. She has written publications for Marie Claire, Forbes, Biz360, Executive, international startup communities, etc. You can also check out her podcast on achieving native-like fluency and improving sales & communication skills on iTunes, Spotify, and SoundCloud. Feel free to check out Natalia's Youtube videos.

All course materials will be available for THREE months

I will be honored to read your stories and give my feedback

It's time you start your own blog in English!

Learn to tell your story in a foreign language - in the most confident, graceful, and memorable way.

  • You will start a blog!

    Yes, this time you will! A lot of non-native speakers HAVE TO write a lot for work, but they don't feel their English is good enough. The course gives you a chance to practice telling your story and get personalized feedback from your trainer and other course participants (if you wish to share your publications)

  • Three months of work

    We will be working together for 90 days. You will be learning at your own pace, and I'm going to be there for you when you need my feedback and support. I will also share a few cool resources to check if your texts sound like a native speaker has written them.

  • Personalized feedback

    You will have a place to share your progress with people who care. I promise to get you the first readers of your blog who will give you feedback in the most friendly form. Your trainer will check all your work.

Start a blog in English.
If you already have a blog, learn to tell insightful stories

Apply today and have a running blog in English in 30 days

Apply now