Three Things To Stick With When You Build Your English Vocabulary

Don't try to speak with a better pronunciation than you actually can.

This can get you back into the trouble - and you'll end up speaking worse. I'm not saying that you shouldn't get the pronunciation right - oh no! But I assume that after years and years of speaking English you have already come to a point where there's no actual improvement possible.

And don't worry if someone else speaks better than you - be confident enough with the speed and pronunciation you speak with. I'm not saying that after some more years your English won't have changed the pronunciation. It probably will as you will spend much of your time speaking with English speakers. But the main point here is - don't try to force yourself.

Don't learn super difficult and sophisticated words.

When you come across a new word either reading a book or hearing it somewhere, don't try to memorize it by all means - your mind will actually tell you that it doesn't need that particular word. I have memorized many words which are not used in the colloquial speech at all and even my English speaking friends don't know them!

For example, when reading a historical book I learnt words such as "inextricable" meaning "difficult" and "execrable" meaning "disgusting". Well, I have to ask you now - have you even heard these words being used? I guess such chances are very slim!

Apart from the fact that you simply won't be using these words, there's a thing that these words can hamper your speech and thoughts by appearing in your mind at moments when you don't want to use them at all - the word "execrable" haunts me quite often appearing in my mind even though I don't need to say it at that moment.

And again - this is not against building the vocabulary, don't get me wrong! There'll be plenty of words which will settle in your mind by themselves as a part or live English language either because it will be related to some specific occasion, or have something special to do with your interests.

Don't build your vocabulary as a direct translation from your language.

Therefore it is crucial to learn all new words in relation to other words they usually would come with.
Let's say you heard a new word "exhilarating". Rather than simply writing it down the very word and its translation in your language, write it in a sentence - say, "I think parachute jumping is the most exhilarating thing I've ever done". And the best thing to do is - don't write the translation in your language. Explain the word in English.

That way you'll keep the English language more separated from your native tongue and it's going to facilitate the fluency. In a similar way, use thesaurus as much as possible and look up words in dictionaries as rarely as possible.

Of course, if you're trying to become a translator or interpreter...you should memorize the exact meaning in your native language. But for usual learning it's not needed.

Tips and Tricks on How to Build Your English Vocabulary

A powerful vocabulary usually takes time and experience to build. While that holds true for most folks, it doesn't mean you can't help accelerate the process a bit along the way. These practical tips should help you develop a robust vocabulary store faster than your average English learner.

1. Derive relationships

Words based on a common theme or concept are easier to memorize than those with no concept to tie them together. Most vocabulary lessons found on language learning software are structured this way for a reason - they work exceptionally well.

2. Write it down

Writing, for some reason, has a way of imprinting words into your consciousness. Instead of just reading words off a page, try putting them to paper yourself - the effect can be downright amazing.

3. Use your creativity

Employ your creative side and relate words to drawings, photographs, dance moves or whatever art form feels most natural to you. This can create a relationship that will help you pull out the right words at just the right time - most of the time, anyway.

4. Find relevance

Study words that carry a certain relevance to certain areas of your life. If you're into basketball, for instance, words that relate to the game will usually prove easier to memorize than words often used in engineering pursuits. Whatever hobby, life event or situation carries meaning for you, use them to your advantage in vocabulary-building.

5. Be reasonable

Your vocabulary is not going to go from zero to hero in one day. As such, set reasonable goals that you can succeed in to build your confidence. That will prove 10 times better than failing over and over while trying to pursue unrealistic ideals.

Learn English Vocabulary and Remember It!

You can learn English vocabulary easily. In fact, it can be as easy as brushing your teeth. All you need is the right software. The most important thing is spaced repetition.

Spaced repetition is studying something and reviewing it many times. Each time the number of minutes, hours, or days before the next review is longer.

For instance, study a new fact. Perhaps the meaning of the word 'silence'. Then review it after ten minutes.

Then review it after one hour.

Then review it after three hours.

Then review it the next day, just once.

Then review it after three days.

And after one week.

And after three weeks.

And then review it after two months.

You will remember it for a long time.

This is only a sample schedule. But if you use it it will work well. There are better schedules. They exist in computer programs. One example is SuperMemo. Another example is Mnemosyne. Or perhaps Anki. And of course there are other programs as well.

These programs are flashcard programs. They show you flashcards. You have to tell them how easy it was to remember the meaning of the word. Each time. Then, the program decides when to show the flashcard again (how long before the next review).

Many of these flashcard programs can show text, or a picture, or even play a sound. This lets you review vocabulary in many ways.

You can use these programs to learn more than just meanings. You can also learn how to use the words in a sentence.

The simplest way is to make flashcards with simple sentences as answers. Have more than one sentence for each word. You can have perhaps up to five sample sentences for each word. On the flashcard prompt, have the target word, and a few other words that are in the sentence. You have to recall the sentence. Saying it out loud is the best practice. Then compare with the answer.

The big advantage with these programs is the review schedule. You review at the optimal time. The disadvantage is these programs are not fun. You must be motivated to review.

You can motivate yourself easily. Make a strong clear picture of yourself knowing the vocabulary. Make the image positive.

Now make two to three images of yourself learning the vocabulary. Each image is a step in the learning process. For instance, the first step might be starting the computer to check your e-mail (part of your daily routine). The second step might be starting the flashcard software after you check your mail. The third step might be completing the review session feeling satisfied.

You must 'see' these images in your mind several times a day. If you 'see' these images a lot, your motivation to study will become stronger. Then it is easy to study.

Now, you have an easy way to learn English vocabulary. And you have an easy way to motivate yourself to do it.

Just do it!