English Vocabulary

When you were a baby, you listened to your family talking to you from the moment you were born. They spoke to you in short sentences using very easy vocabulary. After about a year you were able to start imitating them and started to say a few words. Up until then, you actually had several hundred words already in your head! It just took time for you to learn to say them. In this section we will show you some very easy ways to learn vocabulary – the words you need for everyday speaking.

Vocabulary you need!

To make it easier for you to learn new words, first learn the words that you need every day. Every time you look for a word in the dictionary you should write this word in a small pocket notebook, small enough to keep in your pocket or handbag along with your pocket dictionary, so that you can use it at all times and all places (eg standing waiting for the bus!).

Memorizing Vocabulary

Divide your pocket notebook into three columns:
1 write the word in English
2 then write the phonetic symbols (to help you to pronounce the word)
3 then the word in your own language. (It is also good to write a sample sentence to see how to use the word.)

To learn the word:

1 study and memorise the new words.
2 cover your language and look at the English words. What are the English words in your language? If you cannot remember start at 1 above again for the problem word(s) then back here to 2.
3 cover the English this time so that you can only see the word in your language. What is the English word in your language? (You may use the phonetics column to help you.)
4 cover the English AND the phonetics. What is the English word in your language?
5 Write the date at the top of your page.
The next day repeat the 5 steps above and
6 Revise the words you learned the previous day(s)
The above 6 steps are a very powerful way to learn new vocabulary!!!

Flash Cards

Another very powerful way to learn new words is to use flash cards. These are simply pieces of card cut into approximately 5 cm squares. Write the new word on one side of the card and the word in your language on the other side of the card.

Look at the word in the new language.
Try to say the word in your own language.
Turn the card over to see the word in your own language and to check if you are correct.
If you are correct, place this card on the table. You know the word so do not have to check it again.
If you are not correct, place this card at the back of the cards you made to try again later.
Look at the next card. Repeat steps 4 and 5 until all the cards are placed down on the table – you now know all the words.

The next day, go through these words again quickly, before studying a new set of words on flash cards.
This is another powerful method for learning vocabulary.

Labels
Another helpful idea is to write labels for things around your home. Write the word in the language you are learning and stick it onto things you need to learn, for example, the television, the mirror, the door. This will constantly reinforce the learning of the new word until you do not need to look at the label any more.

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