Hi all
My thesis is in English, but my mother language is not english, and this my first time I writ a research in English. Does any body pass the same experience.

No don't say it , I am the only student in the forum who write in foreign language. However, it is good , I can ask you if I face a language problems.

You may find it helpful to grab a copy of 'Strunk & White - Elements of Style' and to read it often.

Best way to improve writing is to read a lot and to write a lot.

oooooohhhhhh yes , this what I was looking for , thank you very much.

Hi Emaa,

English isn't my first language, but I have lived in the UK for 20 years now and have done all my university level education in English. I did find the first few essays of my undergraduate degree a bit tricky, but I got into it quite quickly. Now I can't imagine doing the PhD in my mothertongue.

I guess it's just a question of getting plenty of practice! Good luck. :-)

hi moonblue, thank you very much for encouraging me, I did start to feel that, sometimes I cannot translate a word to my language even I understand the meaning, but I think English is very practical language. However, I still face problem in writing, how to explain my view and what tense must be used.

My first language is not English, as well, and this is one of the reasons why I am always so insecure about my work. One thing that helped me a lot were the english classes. Besides that, I suggest you to just read a lot, write a lot, practice your speaking skills, .... I think that you will get used to writing in english with time. Be persistent and patient!

Is it possible to complete a PhD in the UK when your first language is not english? I would like to think so, as there are many people who have done it before. Probably we need to make that extra effort and eventually we'll get there. But I would love to read about other people's experiences.

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I am not in the UK but in Switzerland

My first language is not English either.
I have completed to postgraduate degrees in English (MA and MBA) before starting my PhD. Although at the beginning it was difficult, as it was the first time I was leaving my country in order to live and study at another country and I had to deal with a lot of things, I managed. And what I realised was that if you read a lot, watch TV (in English) and try to go out and meet people (and chat with them in English) then it gets easier.
Now, when I sit in front of my computer to do "PhD stuff" I feel like switching off my language and start "operating" in English. I am thinking in English and this is very important (sometimes I even dream in English :p ) .

So, maybe you should try to do that and start thinking in English. ;-)

Good luck!!!