10 tips to help you take your vocabulary to the next level. Tested by tutors, approved by students, loved by learners!
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Welcome to the second part of our blog post on expanding your English vocabulary!
In the first part, we discussed five simple methods for improving your vocabulary, including reading, flashcards, and word games. Not read it yet? Take a look here!
Let's recap our 10 methods.
Regular Speaking
Word Journaling
Anki Flashcards
Word Games
Learning Real English
Word of the Day
Watch TV
Listen Carefully
Guided Reading
English Newsletters
I've split these methods in to two categories: absorption and retention.
Absorption methods help you get new words in to your vocabulary.
Retention methods help you keep these new words in your memory.
Our first post looked at retention methods; methods that help you keep vocabulary words you have been introduced to in your long term memory.
In this second part, we're going to dive deeper into some advanced strategies for expanding your vocabulary, focussing on absorption. These methods may take a little bit more effort and dedication, but the payoff in terms of increased vocabulary will be well worth it. So, grab a notebook and a pen, and let's get started on expanding your English vocabulary!
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Let's crack on!
5) Learning Real English
Wait a minute! What's real English? Let me explain.
Most learners of a language often use textbooks, phrasebooks, or language apps to help them learn a language. These are great ways to develop language skills in your own time, but they can often include overly formal and formulaic sentences that are not heard very often in real speech.
Let me give you a real life example. When I first moved to Germany, my textbook taught me that 'auf Wiedersehen' meant 'goodbye'. Whilst that is a correct translation, what I soon learnt was that almost no one actually says auf Wiedersehen in Berlin, and my colleagues told me that I sounded 'old-fashioned' when I used it. It turns out, most people just say 'ciao' in Berlin when saying 'bye'. I couldn't believe it! This is what I mean by learning the real language, the words and phrases that people actually use.
Learning real English spoken by real people can be incredibly helpful for expanding your vocabulary. One of the biggest challenges in learning a new language is understanding the nuances and colloquialisms that are used in everyday conversation.
By listening to and studying the way native English speakers talk, you'll gain a deeper understanding of the language and be able to use it more effectively in your own conversations.
Additionally, real-life English often includes idiomatic expressions and phrasal verbs that are hard to find in textbooks and can often only be learned by immersion. This will give you a more authentic understanding of the language and help you sound more natural when speaking.
So where do we find real English? This can be achieved by listening to English podcasts, watching English-language TV shows and movies (we'll look at this in tip 7), or even just having or listening to conversations with native speakers.
If you want to expand your knowledge of casual, colloquial expressions used by native speakers, make sure to check out Idioms, Sayings, Slang. the vital casual English guidebook from Tutor Liam!
6) Word of the Day
Incorporating a "Word of the Day" into your daily routine is a simple and effective way to improve your English vocabulary.
Each day, choose a new word and set yourself the task of using it in conversation or in writing. You could even write out a sentence using it in your word journal that we discussed in the last blog post.
But how to find words to practice?
You can find "Words of the Day" on various websites, apps, and even in some newspapers. Here are a few that my students have found useful.
Merriam-Webster: This popular dictionary website offers a "Word of the Day" feature on its homepage, as well as an archive of previous words.
Dictionary.com: This website also offers a "Word of the Day" feature on its homepage. Not only that, but you can also subscribe to receive the word of the day via email. When I was younger, I personally used this website to improve my English vocabulary and I'm a native speaker!
Oxford Learner's Dictionaries: Not only does the Oxford Learner's website offer a word of the day on its homepage, it also provides pronunciation help, and it will also tell you the CEFR level of the word.
7) Watch TV
Watching English-language TV shows and movies is a great way to improve your vocabulary in a fun and engaging way.
It doesn't have to be TV either, you could also watch English YouTube videos that interest you!
I recommend two methods that have worked best for me and my students in the past:
Watch a TV show or movie that you have seen before in your own language. This method works especially well if you have seen the show or movie many times, and are quite familiar with it. Watch it again, either with English subtitles, or with an English dub, and subtitles in your own language.
Find a TV show or movie that looks interesting, that has been released in English. This shouldn't be too tricky as Hollywood churns out absolutely loads of English language media! Then, watch the show or movie either with subtitles of your own language, or dubbed with your own language.
Caution: Sometimes translations for TV and film are not perfect. Netflix is well known for poor translations of its shows, so make sure to double check the translations of any new words or phrases you find.
As you watch, pay attention to the words and phrases being used and make a note of any new words you come across. You'll be speaking like a native in no time!
8) Listen Carefully
One of the best ways to improve your vocabulary is to listen carefully to the words people are using. This can be done in a variety of settings, such as in class, in meetings, or even in casual conversations with friends. As you listen, make a note of any new words or phrases you come across and look them up later.
I especially recommend find a podcast you enjoy, or an English audiobook to listen to. TED talks are also excellent for improving your listening comprehension.
9) Guided Reading
Guided reading is an effective way to improve your vocabulary by reading texts that are at or slightly above your current reading level. This allows you to be challenged and exposed to new words and phrases in a manageable way.
The internet is a great place to find new things to read. Try to look for things that interest you.
Do you like cooking? Try to find some English language recipes online.
Do you like sport? Find an online sports blog or magazine to enjoy.
Like staying updated on the news? Reading online articles in English is a great way to expand your vocabulary, as these are often written using fairly simple and direct language.
Perhaps you prefer reading fiction? Look for an online fiction magazine, and read some short stories in English.
10) English Newsletters
This tip ties in to our last one. Subscribing to English newsletters can be a great way to improve your vocabulary. Newsletters often contain a variety of different topics, exposing you to new words and phrases in a variety of contexts. There are an endless number online that cover all sorts of topics, from sport to fashion to food to travel.
Try subscribing to a few different newsletters and make a point to read through them regularly.
If you're looking for regular English practice and great tips on how to improve your language skills, then don't forget to subscribe to the Tutor Liam blog!
How do I improve my English vocabulary?
So, there you have it, those are our ten simple methods to improve your vocabulary!
By incorporating these methods into your daily routine, you'll be well on your way to improving your English vocabulary.
With these techniques, you'll not only be learning loads of new words, but you'll also be able to keep these words in your memory. But what is the best way to utilise them?
Remember, building your vocabulary takes time and effort, but the more you practice, the more you'll learn.
Rome wasn't built in a day! Learning a new skill takes time and patience, but with dedication, you'll be able to reach your goals. What is most important is that you build a regular habit.
So let's take a look at some ways that you could start building your vocabulary.
Here I've combined all our techniques and tips in to a simple overview that gets fast results:
Word of the Day - Write down and use a new word each day
TV and Podcasts - Include some English language media in your weekly schedule
Reading - Read an English article or blog once a week
Learning Journal - Write down any new words you are coming across each day
Regular Speaking - 1 hour HelloTalk or Tandem per week
Anki Flashcards - 10 minutes of flashcard practice per day
Word Games - Relax with a word game once a week
Remember, it's YOUR learning journey, so find a way to include these methods in your routine that works for YOU!
What do you think of these of these tips? Did I miss any? Make sure to leave a comment below. I'd love to hear your thoughts!
Don't forget to like, share, and comment below if you enjoyed the article. If you're looking for more ways to get fluent fast and master English, the TutorLiam website is filled with great resources to help you excel.
As always, happy learning!
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