10 Helpful Tips for Learning Vocabulary
10 Helpful Tips for Learning Vocabulary
Hello everybody!
This is Teacher Ben at E52. I hope you’re getting a lot out of the lessons and modules so far as you explore the site.
Here are some helpful tips to help you expand your vocabulary outside of the lessons offered by E52. Check out the list below and see what you think!
1. Play Games
While playing a game is sometimes seen as a waste of time when you’re trying to learn, finding the right educational game can be an excellent way of expanding your vocabulary. Games such as Scrabble, Apples to Apples, Vocabador, or just a simple crossword puzzle are not only fun, they are great way to discover new words. Check out this comprehensive list from FluentU for English-based board games and mobile games:
https://www.fluentu.com/blog/english/bo ... n-english/
2. Learn Words in Context
As you probably know, it’s especially difficult to remember a word if it has no context. Language is processed in “lexical chunks”, meaning we generally memorize phrases over words. Try putting new vocabulary in the context of an example sentence in order to help you remember what it means and how it functions. This will help you not only engrain the word in your memory, but also show you how it could be used in conversation.
Also, try not to make random lists of words. Instead, group words thematically. For example, group food-related or health-related words together and practice them together.
3. Check Out an Online Dictionary
Although it can be helpful to peruse an actual dictionary, online dictionaries and word databases offer so much more. Not only can you find definitions, synonyms, or roots of words, you can also quiz yourself, play games, or discover the Word of the Day. While a book can be nice, dictionaries on the web are much more interactive resources.
4. Use New Words in Conversation
Why not try out that new vocabulary word you learned in daily conversation? This can be a great way to memorize vocabulary. When putting it into context, it makes you realize that this particular word has a use in casual conversation. My advice: pick two or three new words and use them each five times throughout your day when having a discussion with friends, family, teachers, or peers. You’ll be surprised what you remember!
5. Journal in English
Daily journaling can be a fantastic way of expanding your vocabulary. As you attempt to capture your exact thoughts or feelings throughout the day, you’ll most likely end up looking up the exact words to use. Because you’re writing about lived experiences, chances are you’ll have an easier time remembering the word.
6. Study Word Parts
To truly expand your vocabulary, you need to learn how to properly dissect words. When encountering an unfamiliar word, try taking a look at the structure. It is important to know the common meanings of prefixes, suffixes, and roots. For example, if you know the prefix “omni-” means all, every, or abundant, when you see this prefix on a new word you can already define one section and deduce the meaning from there. Once you have the prefixes and suffixes memorized, it’s much easier to retain words as well as make informed guesses when seeing new vocabulary and trying to find the meaning. Here’s a list of common prefixes and suffixes to get you started:
https://7esl.com/prefixes/
http://www.esl-galaxy.com/prefixsuffix.html
http://teacher.scholastic.com/reading/b ... ffixes.pdf
7. Quiz Yourself
It is always important to test your skills and language knowledge to see where you stand. One great way to assess your abilities is by making flashcards with the word on the front and the definition or example sentence on the back. You can even practice with a friend to make it more enjoyable, taking turns quizzing each other to see how both of you fare!
There are also great options for vocabulary quizzes available online. Here are just a few links to get you started:
http://a4esl.org/q/h/vocabulary.html
https://www.esl-lab.com/quizzes.htm
8. Immerse Yourself in the Culture
Even if you aren’t living in the country that speaks the language you are learning, it’s imperative that you study up-to-date slang, fashion, fads, and more to understand and immerse yourself in the culture and, ultimately, the language. By watching modern movies or TV shows or reading books or comics in the target language, you will have a keen understanding of how people talk, act, and think in a way that only a native speaker would understand.
9. Read in English
There are few better ways to learn new words than taking on a novel in another language. While it is daunting at first, as you make your way through the book you start to notice vocabulary in several different contexts. You will find yourself quickly picking up the subtle nuances of the language while adding newfound vocabulary into your lexicon like a native speaker. Try out some fiction intended for children or young adults and work your way up – you’ll be reading the classics in no time! Here’s a helpful list to get you started:
https://www.fluentu.com/blog/english/ea ... beginners/
10. Take Time to Review
I’m sure you’ve all felt this – you learn a word one day thinking it will stick, and you end up completely forgetting it the next. It’s difficult to recall words from class to class if you aren’t reminded of them in your day-to-day interactions. An important step is transferring the word from your short-term memory to your long-term memory, and this comes down to efficiently reviewing new vocabulary. Take some time during the day to look over your notes and make sure you’ll remember.
I hope these tips are useful as you continue to expand your vocabulary. Have a great time checking out the site and feel free to ask me any question that comes to mind!
Cheers,
Ben at E52
This is Teacher Ben at E52. I hope you’re getting a lot out of the lessons and modules so far as you explore the site.
Here are some helpful tips to help you expand your vocabulary outside of the lessons offered by E52. Check out the list below and see what you think!
1. Play Games
While playing a game is sometimes seen as a waste of time when you’re trying to learn, finding the right educational game can be an excellent way of expanding your vocabulary. Games such as Scrabble, Apples to Apples, Vocabador, or just a simple crossword puzzle are not only fun, they are great way to discover new words. Check out this comprehensive list from FluentU for English-based board games and mobile games:
https://www.fluentu.com/blog/english/bo ... n-english/
2. Learn Words in Context
As you probably know, it’s especially difficult to remember a word if it has no context. Language is processed in “lexical chunks”, meaning we generally memorize phrases over words. Try putting new vocabulary in the context of an example sentence in order to help you remember what it means and how it functions. This will help you not only engrain the word in your memory, but also show you how it could be used in conversation.
Also, try not to make random lists of words. Instead, group words thematically. For example, group food-related or health-related words together and practice them together.
3. Check Out an Online Dictionary
Although it can be helpful to peruse an actual dictionary, online dictionaries and word databases offer so much more. Not only can you find definitions, synonyms, or roots of words, you can also quiz yourself, play games, or discover the Word of the Day. While a book can be nice, dictionaries on the web are much more interactive resources.
4. Use New Words in Conversation
Why not try out that new vocabulary word you learned in daily conversation? This can be a great way to memorize vocabulary. When putting it into context, it makes you realize that this particular word has a use in casual conversation. My advice: pick two or three new words and use them each five times throughout your day when having a discussion with friends, family, teachers, or peers. You’ll be surprised what you remember!
5. Journal in English
Daily journaling can be a fantastic way of expanding your vocabulary. As you attempt to capture your exact thoughts or feelings throughout the day, you’ll most likely end up looking up the exact words to use. Because you’re writing about lived experiences, chances are you’ll have an easier time remembering the word.
6. Study Word Parts
To truly expand your vocabulary, you need to learn how to properly dissect words. When encountering an unfamiliar word, try taking a look at the structure. It is important to know the common meanings of prefixes, suffixes, and roots. For example, if you know the prefix “omni-” means all, every, or abundant, when you see this prefix on a new word you can already define one section and deduce the meaning from there. Once you have the prefixes and suffixes memorized, it’s much easier to retain words as well as make informed guesses when seeing new vocabulary and trying to find the meaning. Here’s a list of common prefixes and suffixes to get you started:
https://7esl.com/prefixes/
http://www.esl-galaxy.com/prefixsuffix.html
http://teacher.scholastic.com/reading/b ... ffixes.pdf
7. Quiz Yourself
It is always important to test your skills and language knowledge to see where you stand. One great way to assess your abilities is by making flashcards with the word on the front and the definition or example sentence on the back. You can even practice with a friend to make it more enjoyable, taking turns quizzing each other to see how both of you fare!
There are also great options for vocabulary quizzes available online. Here are just a few links to get you started:
http://a4esl.org/q/h/vocabulary.html
https://www.esl-lab.com/quizzes.htm
8. Immerse Yourself in the Culture
Even if you aren’t living in the country that speaks the language you are learning, it’s imperative that you study up-to-date slang, fashion, fads, and more to understand and immerse yourself in the culture and, ultimately, the language. By watching modern movies or TV shows or reading books or comics in the target language, you will have a keen understanding of how people talk, act, and think in a way that only a native speaker would understand.
9. Read in English
There are few better ways to learn new words than taking on a novel in another language. While it is daunting at first, as you make your way through the book you start to notice vocabulary in several different contexts. You will find yourself quickly picking up the subtle nuances of the language while adding newfound vocabulary into your lexicon like a native speaker. Try out some fiction intended for children or young adults and work your way up – you’ll be reading the classics in no time! Here’s a helpful list to get you started:
https://www.fluentu.com/blog/english/ea ... beginners/
10. Take Time to Review
I’m sure you’ve all felt this – you learn a word one day thinking it will stick, and you end up completely forgetting it the next. It’s difficult to recall words from class to class if you aren’t reminded of them in your day-to-day interactions. An important step is transferring the word from your short-term memory to your long-term memory, and this comes down to efficiently reviewing new vocabulary. Take some time during the day to look over your notes and make sure you’ll remember.
I hope these tips are useful as you continue to expand your vocabulary. Have a great time checking out the site and feel free to ask me any question that comes to mind!
Cheers,
Ben at E52