Developing strong writing skills in English is not optional if you want to grow professionally. In a conversation between Ravi and Jess Harris, dean of Platzi English Academy, they break down why writing deserves the same attention as speaking, how neglecting it can hurt your career, and practical ways to build this skill without pressure.
Why do English students de-prioritize writing?
Many students focus almost exclusively on speaking because institutions and traditional approaches emphasize oral communication above everything else [01:18]. The assumption is simple: if you can read well, writing will come naturally. But Jess Harris points out that this is not always the case.
What people tend to forget is that having a conversation today is not limited to face-to-face interaction. It includes texting, messaging on WhatsApp, communicating on Slack, and writing emails [01:42]. All of these require solid writing ability. Ignoring this reality creates a gap that becomes harder to fill over time.
What happens when you neglect writing practice?
Jess compares it to going to the gym and only training your upper body while skipping leg day [02:22]. Everything looks fine until the moment you actually need leg strength and it is not there. The same principle applies to English.
- You might speak fluently at work, but your boss could ask you to write a critical email to a client in the United States [02:44].
- Mistakes in that email could create real professional problems.
- A poorly written cover letter can cost you a job opportunity [03:06].
The concept of balanced skill development is essential here. Speaking and writing are both productive skills, meaning they require you to generate language actively. Neglecting one weakens your overall communication ability.
How can platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter help your writing?
Ravi and Jess agree that social media platforms offer a low-stress environment for writing practice [03:24]. You are not drafting a formal essay or a high-stakes email. You are simply putting your thoughts into words, which allows you to:
- Make mistakes without serious consequences.
- Receive informal corrections from your network.
- Build your personal brand while improving your English.
Jess shares a powerful firsthand insight from his experience in recruitment [04:18]. When hiring, he checks LinkedIn profiles carefully. If a candidate applying for an English-related position does not maintain their profile in English, he typically moves on. If the profile is in English, he evaluates the quality of the writing to decide whether the candidate deserves an interview. This means your writing on professional platforms can directly determine whether you get a job or not.
Can writing actually improve your speaking?
This is a point that often gets overlooked. Writing and speaking are both productive skills, as opposed to receptive skills like reading and listening [05:10]. When you produce language through writing, several things happen:
- You discover new vocabulary you might not use when speaking.
- You notice differences between spelling and pronunciation, which is especially tricky in English [05:42].
- You reinforce structures and expressions that then transfer into your spoken communication.
For example, you might know how to say a word perfectly but realize when writing it that the spelling is completely different from what you imagined. Practicing both skills creates a feedback loop that strengthens your English from a holistic perspective [06:08].
What is the best way to put this into practice?
The key takeaway from this conversation is balance. Rather than dedicating all your energy to one skill, treat English learning as an integrated system. Here are actionable steps:
- Write short posts on LinkedIn or Twitter regularly.
- Pay attention to how words are spelled versus how they are pronounced.
- Use writing as preparation for speaking: draft what you want to say, then practice saying it.
- Download the worksheet provided in the resource section, complete it, and share your answers in the comments.
Writing is not a secondary skill. It is a career tool that opens doors, builds credibility, and makes you a stronger communicator overall. Share your completed worksheet and let us know what stood out to you the most.
