How to Build Your Vocabulary Effectively Vocabulary is the

How to Build Your Vocabulary Effectively
Good morning. In today’s lecture, we shall discuss the strategies of learning English vocabulary. When we talk about learning English, we usually mention the four basic skills— listening, reading, speaking and writing. However, all of these skills cannot be sharpened without vocabulary. While there are not any magic shortcuts to learn words, the larger your vocabulary becomes, the easier it will be to connect a new word with the words you already know, and thus remember its meaning. So your learning speed, or pace, should increase as your vocabulary grows. There are some basic steps to build your vocabulary effectively. First of all, be aware of words. Many people are surprised when they are told they have small vocabularies. They protest that they read all the time. This shows that reading alone may not be enough to make you learn new words. When we read a novel, for instance, there is usually a strong urge to get on with the story and skip over unfamiliar or perhaps vaguely known words. But while it is obvious when a word is totally unknown to you, you have to be especially aware of words that seem familiar to you but whose precise meanings you may not really know. Instead of avoiding these words, you will need to take a closer look at them. First, try to guess at a word’s meaning from its context— that is, the sense of the passage in which it appears. If you focus on learning words in the context where you’re most likely to find them, you’re more likely to recognize them when you encounter them or need to use them again. Second, if you have a dictionary on hand, look up the word’s meaning immediately. This may slow down your reading somewhat, but your improved understanding of each new word will eventually speed your learning of other words, making reading easier. Third, make a daily practice of noting words of interest to you for further study whenever you are reading, listening to the radio, talking to friends, or watching television. Second, read as often and as much as possible. When you have become more aware of words, reading is the next important step to increase your knowledge of words, because that is how you will find most of the words you should be learning. It is also the best way to check on words you have already learned. When you come across a word you have recently studied, and you understand it, it proves that you have learned its meaning. Then what should you read? Whatever interests you— whatever makes you want to read. If you like sports, read the sports page of the newspapers; read magazines like Sports Illustrated; read books about your favorite athletes. If you are interested in interior decorating, read a magazine like House Beautifu— read it, don’t just look at the photographs. Often people with very small vocabularies don’t enjoy reading at all. It’s more of a chore for them than a pleasure because they don’t understand many of the words. If this is the way you feel about reading, try reading easier things. Newspapers are usually easier than magazines; a magazine like Reader’s Digest is easier to read than The Atlantic Monthly. There is no point in trying to read something you simply are not able to understand or are not interested in. The important idea is to find things you can enjoy to read, and to read as often and as much as possible with the idea of learning new words always in mind. Third, use a dictionary. Keep it where you usually do your reading at home. You are more likely to use it if you do not have to get it from another room. At work, there may be a good dictionary available for your use. At home, most people do not have a big, unabridged dictionary; however, one of the smaller collegiate dictionaries would be fine to start with. Remember, words can have more than one meaning, and the meaning you need for the word you are looking up may not be the first one given in your dictionary. Even if it is, the other meanings of the word will help you understand the different ways the word is used. Also, the word’s history, usually given near the beginning of the entry, can often give a fascinating picture of the way the word has developed its current meaning. This will add to the pleasure of learning the word as well as help you remember it. Fourth, study and review regularly. Once you have begun looking up words and you know which ones to study, vocabulary building is simply a matter of reviewing the words regularly until you fix them in your memory. This is best done by setting aside a specific amount of time each day for vocabulary study. During that time you can look up new words you have noted during the day and review old words in the process of learning. Set a goal for the number of words you would like to learn and by what date, and arrange your schedule accordingly. In order to review words effectively, all the information on a word should be kept in one place— in a notebook, for example, or on an index card. Index cards are convenient because the words can be placed in alphabetical order, which makes them easy to find when reviewing; and the cards can be carried around with you, so you can study them anywhere. OK, today we have focused on four basic steps to assist us in the vocabulary-building process. Next time, we will continue on how to use vocabulary building aids such as books, tapes, or CDs. Thanks for your attention.