Vocabulary is an essential part of learning a language. The more words you know, the more you can communicate in reading, conversation, and writing.
Consider your vocabulary as two distinct groups - passive vocabulary and active vocabulary.
Your passive vocabulary contains all the words you understand when reading or listening, but you do not use them frequently in your writing and speaking.
Your active vocabulary is all the words you understand, plus all the words you use freely and easily come to mind.
As an ESL learner, your primary objective should be building your active vocabulary and mastering the words you need to communicate within the world of English speakers with whom you work or socialize.
To build your active and your passive vocabulary, you must use a comprehensive dictionary to research every word you have not already mastered.
Do not get caught in the trap of believing the translation of words you check the meaning of in a translator is all you need to understand English word definitions.
The one-word or single-line translations provided in travel and other compact dictionaries might help you in the shopping center or for your travel inquiries; however, most English words have a different meaning depending on the context within which used. Use a dictionary that lists all meanings of the word.
With every new word, learn its proper pronunciation along with it. I cannot stress this enough. If you start off mispronouncing a word, mispronunciation will become your habit.
Get yourself a little notepad to keep in your purse or pocket. I did not say voice recorder. I said notepad. Documenting unfamiliar words when in a conversation might be challenging but think of how you can accomplish it.
Do not be shy to ask those you are speaking with, what is the word you just said? People will understand English is not your 1st language and will respect you for being intelligent enough to ask for help. Pretending to comprehend when you do not could cause confusion.
Pull out your pad and write the word down. Also, write the sentence it was used in. Do not ignore words you don’t understand; your English vocabulary will not improve if you are not determined and make the effort.
Sometimes when you are riding the train or bus, or just chilling, pull out your little vocabulary pad and review your growing list of words and sentences.
Native speakers learn these things about words by hearing them and reading them again and again. This is the best way for you to learn them, too, but you also must check your definitions to build your foundation of the 5000 basic words the Native English speaker knew when they were six years old and in grade one.
That’s right! The average native English speaker enters Grade 1 knowing at least 5,000 words.
For learners of English as a second language (ESLs), vocabulary development is essential. The average English Learner may know 5,000 words in their native language, but fewer English words. Native speakers continue learning new words from age six; without the 5000 words of the six-year-old, ESLs face the additional challenge of building the 5000-word foundation and then closing the gap.
Reading a list of words with definitions or translations is not enough to burry word meanings deep into your memory recollection process. Studies show that the more paths we engage in our learning process, the faster we absorb and retain the knowledge learned.
Proactively engage yourself in building a strong English vocabulary. Here are some suggestions as to how:
Do not be discouraged when you cannot recall the new words you have explored; they will be within the deeper layers of your passive memory. As you read, listen to broadcasts, and converse with your co-workers and friends, the words you have studied will rise higher into the surface of your active vocabulary.
Studying new words and reviewing words every day - you will be nurturing your English vocabulary into a thriving living thing that will grow. On the contrary, idly going about your day-to-day routines ignoring the words you do not understand will stagnate your English vocabulary growth - and perhaps the future - English perfection can help you attain.
Most of all, learning new English words – or words in any language – should be exciting. Think of yourself as an artist and vocabulary words as your pallet of colors. The abstract concepts of your imagination are the ideas and emotions you want to convey. The audience you are speaking or writing to is your canvas.
Are you content to bore your audience with the few colors in your pallet - or awe and compel them with an ever-expanding array of expressive vocabulary?
