|
Vocab Tip
1 |
Keep a
vocabulary notebook. When you learn a new
word, add it to your notebook. Write down a sentence
that
will help you remember how to use the word. |
| Vocab Tip 2 |
Use a learner's
dictionary. There are several
excellent
dictionaries for learners of English. These
provide simple
definitions and sample sentences to help you
learn new words. |
| Vocab Tip 3 |
Choose words that are important to
you. When you study topics and words that you
are interested in, you remember the better. |
| Vocab Tip 4 |
Group words by topic to remember
them. It's easier to study new words when you
organize them into groups like foods or action verbs.
|
| Vocab Tip 5 |
Make flashcards to study your new
words. Put one English word on each card, and
then put either the translation or the English definition on
the back. After
you study the words, review them quickly
to see how many words you remember. |
| Vocab Tip 6 |
Use new words as many times as possible
in your daily life.The best way to learn and
remember new words is to use them when you speak or write. Try
using at least one new English word every day. |
| Vocab Tip 7 |
Learn synonyms for new words.
A synonym is a word that means the same thing as
another word. You can expand your vocabulary by learning
synonyms for your new English words. For example, small is a
synonym for little. |
| Vocab Tip 8 |
Learn antonyms for new words.
An antonym is a word that means the opposite
of another word. Learning an antonym for each new word can
help you increase your vocabulary. For example, bad is an
antonym for good. |
| Vocab Tip 9 |
Study word roots. Many
English words have Latin roots. When you learn one root, you
can often learn many new words. For example, the Latin root
port means to carry, and this root is found in many English
words like the following: export, import, support, and
transport. |
| Vocab Tip 10 |
Learn prefixes. Prefixes
are small groups of letters that you put in front of words to
give them different meanings. For example, you can put in-,
un-, or non- in front of many adjectives to give them a
negative or opposite meaning. The word flexible describes a
person or thing that can change or be changed easily.
Inflexible means just the opposite. |
| Vocab Tip 11 |
Learn how to pronounce each new
word. An important part of using new English
words effectively is learning how to pronounce them. As you
know, many English words don't sound the way you think they
will! |
| Vocab Tip 12 |
Find out if a
word is formal or informal. It's important
to
know how and when to use the new words you learn. It's
all right to use informal expressions and slang when speaking
with friends, but you should use formal language when you are
writing a report for your
boss. |