Tips to improve vocabulary in communication

Learning vocabulary is a crucial part of mastering a language. The more words you know, the better you can understand what you hear and read; naturally, this also enhances your ability to express yourself when speaking or writing.

1. Which Words Should You Learn?

Every day, you encounter or read many new English words. You can also look up new words in a dictionary when translating from your native language. However, it’s impossible to learn every new word you come across, so your first task is to decide which words to focus on. Here are some suggestions:

• Learn words that are important for the subjects you are studying.
• Learn words you frequently read or hear.
• Learn words you know you’ll want to use often.
• Avoid learning rare or unhelpful words (your teacher can help identify these).

2. How to Learn Words

Once you’ve chosen which words to learn, the next step is deciding how to study them. Here are some ideas:

• Write the words in a notebook (along with their meanings or definitions).
• Write words and their definitions on small flashcards.
• Repeat the words multiple times.
• Group words into different categories.
• Ask someone to test you.
• Use these words when speaking or writing.

Some learners mark or underline words they’ve looked up in their dictionary. The next time they flip to that page, they can quickly check if they remember the meanings of those marked words.

Typically, the first things you learn about a new English word are its meaning and its equivalent in your native language. However, to use a word like a native speaker, there are additional aspects you need to understand, such as:

• Its spelling.
• Its pronunciation.
• How the word changes (e.g., how it transforms if it’s a verb, noun, or adjective).
• Its grammatical features.
• How it is used with other words.

3. Learning Vocabulary Through Reading

You can learn many words by encountering them while reading books or magazines. This is because you can guess their meanings based on the context of the sentence or story. Seeing a word multiple times while reading helps you understand its usage and apply it when speaking or writing. Read extensively for enjoyment—both fiction and non-fiction—as it’s an excellent way to build your English vocabulary. However, choose books that are relatively easy to read. Difficult stories or texts won’t help you develop your vocabulary naturally. Remember, you need to read A LOT to improve your vocabulary!

4. More Information About Words to Learn

As you may know, vocabulary can be divided into two groups: passive and active. Passive vocabulary includes all the words you understand when reading or listening but don’t use (or can’t recall) when writing or speaking. Active vocabulary consists of all the words you understand, plus those you can actively use. Your active vocabulary, in both English and your native language, is much smaller than your passive vocabulary.

The more you use a word, as mentioned earlier, the more likely it is to become part of your active vocabulary.

Don’t let vocabulary hold back your future! Happy learning!