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When learning a foreign language, for personal or business purposes alike, one of the most difficult things to do is vocabulary building. As language acquisition and learning are more skill-based (“how to do it”) than content based (“What can you tell about it”), there are not many things to actually learn by heart, except for vocabulary.
Grammar rules are usually learned in full rather early on in the language learning process, are limited in number and can neatly be packed in convenient and systematic tutorials. However, acquiring new words, phrases and figures of speech seems to never end and cannot be as easily explained, especially when dealing with ENGLISH vocabulary…
The real challenge in learning a language is to develop strategies to talk and write about issues at a rising level of complexity and nuance. For this purpose, you need vocabulary learning strategies, even much more than grammar. The history of English vocabulary has led to English having the largest vocabulary and each word having many synonyms.
A basic feature in English is that short words of Germanic origin (boy, cat, door, wife, cow, house, gold, work, land) tend to describe concrete daily objects, whereas longer words of French and Latin origin tend to describe more abstract intellectual concepts (sensation, establishment, abomination, endurance), which of course demand more effort to acquire.
All English learners know that words understood in a reading text are not necessarily remembered when needed for spoken or written expression. Studies show that you have to encounter a word at least 14 times before it enters long-term memory. This is why you should drill and memorize vocabulary no less or even more than you do with grammar, so as to be able to use it actively in your English writing.
The WhiteSmoke grammar and English writing software includes comprehensive dictionaries, a thesaurus and a multi-language translator that help you enrich your text with a variety of words. The following series of articles will help you to better learn and remember your English vocabulary.
You will encounter new vocabulary in the texts you read, word lists your teacher gives you, foreign language phrasebooks, songs and movies in English, speaking with a native speaker, or even from the instructions for your textbook’s exercises or those in your new DVD manual. No matter the source, you should concentrate all new vocabulary items in one place. The best option is a notebook, small enough to carry around everywhere to review your vocabulary at all times and big enough to accommodate neatly organized vocabulary lists.
1. Divide each page into two columns. On the left hand column, write vocabulary items in English. On the right hand column, write their translations in your native language.
2. Always entitle each set of items with the source they are taken from (article, song, textbook + page number or URL for future reference) so you remember the general context they are taken from.
3. If your target language does not use a familiar alphabetic script (Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, Russian, Hindi etc.) or has highly unusual spelling, add a third column with phonetic transcriptions representing the pronunciation of your target words).
Your page may look like this:
4. The next step is to study the vocabulary with their corresponding translations as you move down the table.
5. Now, use a sheet of paper to cover the translation column and ask yourself: ”What does this mean in my language?” Gradually go down the lines and test yourself for each item. Mark items you had a problem with and restudy them.
6. Next, cover the English column, look at your native language translations and ask yourself: “How do I say this English?” Mark items you had a problem with and re-study them.
7. Try and arrange lists together under a common theme, such as “words from unit 3: The World of Work” or “Words from Depeche Mode songs”.
8. Review your lists regularly anywhere you can: on the train, on the bus, in line to see the doctor, or even in the toilet ! Try to use your newly acquired vocabulary in writing tasks, emails, conversation and more. And as they say, Use it or lose it !
Yes, we know this is time consuming but it is the most efficient way to review vocabulary after you have stumbled upon it, had some vocabulary drills and activities in your textbook and now need to refresh your memory. The notebook becomes a private dictionary that belongs only to you, making you possess the lexical treasures within it. Do not settle with your textbook’s or teacher’s vocabulary lists ! If you prepare your own lists, you will actually own the words and enrich your English. Remember, language is all about communicating ideas through words !
This is the first part of our vocabulary strategies review, click here for Part 2.
Go to the English Lessons Portal for more English Lessons
How to Learn English Vocabulary
Vocabulary Tips and Strategies – Part 1
Part 2 Part 3When learning a foreign language, for personal or business purposes alike, one of the most difficult things to do is vocabulary building. As language acquisition and learning are more skill-based (“how to do it”) than content based (“What can you tell about it”), there are not many things to actually learn by heart, except for vocabulary.
Grammar rules are usually learned in full rather early on in the language learning process, are limited in number and can neatly be packed in convenient and systematic tutorials. However, acquiring new words, phrases and figures of speech seems to never end and cannot be as easily explained, especially when dealing with ENGLISH vocabulary…
The real challenge in learning a language is to develop strategies to talk and write about issues at a rising level of complexity and nuance. For this purpose, you need vocabulary learning strategies, even much more than grammar. The history of English vocabulary has led to English having the largest vocabulary and each word having many synonyms.
A basic feature in English is that short words of Germanic origin (boy, cat, door, wife, cow, house, gold, work, land) tend to describe concrete daily objects, whereas longer words of French and Latin origin tend to describe more abstract intellectual concepts (sensation, establishment, abomination, endurance), which of course demand more effort to acquire.
All English learners know that words understood in a reading text are not necessarily remembered when needed for spoken or written expression. Studies show that you have to encounter a word at least 14 times before it enters long-term memory. This is why you should drill and memorize vocabulary no less or even more than you do with grammar, so as to be able to use it actively in your English writing.
The WhiteSmoke grammar and English writing software includes comprehensive dictionaries, a thesaurus and a multi-language translator that help you enrich your text with a variety of words. The following series of articles will help you to better learn and remember your English vocabulary.
The good old 2-column-table in the notebook
You will encounter new vocabulary in the texts you read, word lists your teacher gives you, foreign language phrasebooks, songs and movies in English, speaking with a native speaker, or even from the instructions for your textbook’s exercises or those in your new DVD manual. No matter the source, you should concentrate all new vocabulary items in one place. The best option is a notebook, small enough to carry around everywhere to review your vocabulary at all times and big enough to accommodate neatly organized vocabulary lists.
8 steps in creating and using your vocabulary notebook:
1. Divide each page into two columns. On the left hand column, write vocabulary items in English. On the right hand column, write their translations in your native language.
2. Always entitle each set of items with the source they are taken from (article, song, textbook + page number or URL for future reference) so you remember the general context they are taken from.
3. If your target language does not use a familiar alphabetic script (Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, Russian, Hindi etc.) or has highly unusual spelling, add a third column with phonetic transcriptions representing the pronunciation of your target words).
Your page may look like this:
| English | your native language |
|---|---|
| economy class | ??? |
| a magnificent view | ??? |
| an exclusive restaurant | ??? |
| etc. | etc. |
4. The next step is to study the vocabulary with their corresponding translations as you move down the table.
5. Now, use a sheet of paper to cover the translation column and ask yourself: ”What does this mean in my language?” Gradually go down the lines and test yourself for each item. Mark items you had a problem with and restudy them.
6. Next, cover the English column, look at your native language translations and ask yourself: “How do I say this English?” Mark items you had a problem with and re-study them.
7. Try and arrange lists together under a common theme, such as “words from unit 3: The World of Work” or “Words from Depeche Mode songs”.
8. Review your lists regularly anywhere you can: on the train, on the bus, in line to see the doctor, or even in the toilet ! Try to use your newly acquired vocabulary in writing tasks, emails, conversation and more. And as they say, Use it or lose it !
Yes, we know this is time consuming but it is the most efficient way to review vocabulary after you have stumbled upon it, had some vocabulary drills and activities in your textbook and now need to refresh your memory. The notebook becomes a private dictionary that belongs only to you, making you possess the lexical treasures within it. Do not settle with your textbook’s or teacher’s vocabulary lists ! If you prepare your own lists, you will actually own the words and enrich your English. Remember, language is all about communicating ideas through words !
This is the first part of our vocabulary strategies review, click here for Part 2.
- Expanded vocabulary
- Templates
- Punctuation corrections
- Improved clarity
- Grammar check
- Thesaurus
- Spell check
- English-Dictionary
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