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Similar to speaking, having a strong vocabulary allows you to communicate your thoughts clearly, helps to achieve clarity and avoids confusion. By increasing your vocabulary, you can describe different settings, emotions, and ideas- which allows you to speak eloquently and write like a professional.
This article will explain how to become better at English by improving your vocabulary and learning skills.
#1 Vocabulary Learning: Read a variety of reading materials
If you want to build your vocabulary, consider reading more! Fiction is particularly good for this because it contains more idioms and unusual combinations of words than nonfiction. The best way to learn new words is by seeing them used in context.
As you learn new words from reading, make sure that they fit into your conceptual framework and your mental image of the world around you. This will help make sure that you don’t just remember the meaning of a word but also what it means in its larger context.
To help you improve your vocabulary learning through reading, here are some ways you could do:
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Highlight unfamiliar words or sentences
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Annotate phrases and paragraph
#2 Vocabulary Learning: Use a dictionary
The next step is identifying words you hear or see but don’t understand. For instance, you might scroll your social media pages and encounter words that you have never heard of.
Learn new words by seeing them used in context as often as possible.
When reading a book or article on a topic you’re interested in, look up any unfamiliar terms and add them to your list of known words. The more frequently you see a word used in real-world contexts, the more likely it is that it will stick with you long-term.
Full dictionary definitions can also educate you about antonyms, root words, and related words, which is another way to learn vocabulary. You could also prepare a special book dedicated to vocabulary learning!
List all of the words you have found and jot down their meanings. This will help you to remember, and you could also use them in your essays as well! Check out our tips here on how to improve your English essay!
And in case you’re unsure of how to use a dictionary, here’s how:
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You can find help at the top of the page by using the guide word. A guide word tells you what the first or last word on a given page is.
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You will need to examine the second letter, the third, and so on to find the word. Finding words quickly takes some practice.
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You may have to search several pages of the dictionary before finding the word you’re looking for.
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The scanning process involves reading quickly to find the information you need. As you practice, you will become more adept at finding words quickly.
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#3 Vocabulary Learning: Learn the root words
To build a strong foundation for your vocabulary, it’s helpful to understand the root words.
A root word is a basic part, usually a single syllable. If you know the root of a word, you can figure out what it means by looking at its suffixes.
For example, if you know that “-ify” means “to make something happen or exist,” then you can guess that “complexify” means “to make something more complicated.”
Here are some tips for using root words when learning new vocabulary:
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Look at each word’s suffixes and prefixes.
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If a word ends in “-tion,” then you know that it’s probably related to another word ending in “-tion,” such as “emission.”
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If a word starts with “post-,” it could be related to something related to traveling or sending mail (such as postal service).
#4 Vocabulary Learning: Watch movies and tv shows
One of the easiest ways to learn new words is through watching movies. Similar to reading illustrated books, you get the perk of visual cues. Combine your listening and reading skills by turning on the closed captioning.
The closed captioning will help you learn new words and phrases that you might not have heard before. It also helps with understanding the movie better if you are watching it in a language that is not your first language.
Can you find any unfamiliar words in any of our movie recommendations here?
#5 Vocabulary Learning: Use new words when speaking
The vocabulary learning section is all about the importance of learning new words. The purpose of learning new words is to be able to express yourself better and to understand what others are saying.
The first step in vocabulary learning is to find a word that interests you. You can do this by looking up a word in the dictionary or by finding out what your favourite TV show, movie, or book is about.
Once you have mastered all the new words, you can use them in your daily conversation! For example, you could practice three new words every day and then use them when talking with friends and family members. Take a look a the examples here and start practicing new words in your daily conversation!
