Spoken English for corporate jobs (Developing Vocabulary)
Developing Vocabulary
Vocabulary refers to the collection of words that a
person knows and uses. Vocabulary development is the process of acquiring new
words.
Ways to Improve Your Vocabulary
1. Develop a reading habit : Vocabulary building is
easiest when you encounter words in context. Seeing words appear in a novel or
a newspaper article can be far more helpful than seeing them appear on
vocabulary lists. Not only do you gain exposure to unfamiliar words; you also
see how they’re used.
2. Use the dictionary and thesaurus : Online
dictionaries and thesauruses are helpful resources if used properly. They can
jog your memory about synonyms that would actually be better words in the
context of what you’re writing. A full dictionary definition can also educate
you about antonyms, root words, and related words, which is another way to
learn vocabulary.
3. Play word games : Classic games like Scrabble and
Boggle can function as a fun way to expand your English vocabulary. Crossword
puzzles can as well. If you really want to be efficient, follow up rounds of
these word games with a little note-taking. Keep a list of the different words
you learned while playing the game, and then study that list from time to time.
4. Use flashcards : A quick way to build a large
vocabulary is to study a number of words via flashcards. In today’s digital
age, a wide array of smartphone apps make flashcards convenient and easy to
organize. Aiming for one new word a day is reasonable. You can always go for
more, but it may not be reasonable to assimilate dozens of English words every
single day.
5. Subscribe to “word of the day” feeds : Some web
platforms will provide you with a word a day—either on a website, an app, or
via email—to help you expand your vocabulary. You can add these words to
running word lists.
6. Practice using new words in conversation : It’s
possible to amass a huge vocabulary without actually knowing how to use words.
This means you have to take it upon yourself to put your personal dictionary
into use. If you come across an interesting word in your reading, make a point
of using it in conversation.
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