How To Improve Your Vocabulary
There are many ways to improve your vocabulary. When working to improve your
vocabulary it's important to know your goals in order to best choose the way in which
you want to learn. Reading can be a great way to improve your vocabulary. However,
it won't be much help on a vocabulary test next week. Here are a number of methods
to help you improve, and expand, your English vocabulary.
Difficulty: Average
Time Required: from 30 minutes to 3 or more hours
Here's How:
1. Vocabulary Trees
Vocabulary trees help provide context. Once you've mapped out a few
vocabulary trees, you'll discover yourself thinking in vocabulary groups.
When you see a cup your mind will quickly relate such words as knife, fork,
late, dishes, etc. This overview to vocabulary trees provides will help you get
started. Here is an example of a vocabulary tree.
2. Create Vocabulary Themes
Create a list of vocabulary themes, include the vocabulary, a definition and an
example sentence for each new item. Here is an example of a household
appliance vocabulary theme sheet.
Household Appliance Vocabulary
These are appliances we use every day in our house. Each word includes a definition
and example sentence:

broiler - device for broiling meat
That steak was done to perfection. Where did you get that boiler? It's fantastic.

can opener - a device to open cans by cutting around the edges of the rim.
Don't open that by hand. Use the can opener!

compactor - device for pressing together; crusher
You'd be surprised at how much garbage the compactor can put into one bag!

dishwasher - device that washes dishes
I don't know what I'd do without my dishwasher. I can't imagine having to
wash all those dishes by hand!

dryer - device or appliance for removing moisture, as by hot air
Honey, where's the dryer? I've just taken a shower and I need to dry my hair.

fan - device for creating a current of air or a breeze
I really don't like using the air-conditioning. I much prefer this fan to keep
things cool.

freezer - one that freezes, as a thermally insulated cabinet
He goes shopping and buys enough food to put into his freezer for a month.

furnace - structure or apparatus for generating heat
Could you check if the furnace is working? It seems so cold in here. It's a good
idea to put a humidifier in the room for young babies when they have a cold.

icebox - insulated chest or box in which ice is put to cool
We have an icebox out in the backyard where we keep the beer. Feel free to
help yourself!

iron - instrument used for taking the wrinkles out of a piece of clothing
through heat
The production of modern materials such as permanent press has almost made
the iron a thing of the past.

oven - chamber or enclosed compartment usually used to cook in, as in a
stove
I like cooking potatoes in the oven instead of frying them.

refrigerator - appliance for maintaining foods at a low temperature, or
producing ice
We keep the bread in the refrigerator.

shaver - one that shaves; a device used in shaving
I prefer using a shaver instead of a razor.

stove - device used to provide heat (either electric or gas) to cook food
I really don't know how to cook. About the only thing I can do is boil an egg
on the stove.

toaster - device used to toast bread, esp. by exposure to heat
Could you pop this bread into the toaster?

vacuum cleaner - appliance using suction to clean surfaces
I used the vacuum cleaner to clean all the rugs - they really needed it.
Now that you have studied these words, continue to the pronunciation and quiz page.
On this page you will find a list of the vocabulary studied and a sound file (using
RealPlayer) with the correct pronunciation of the words. Below this you will find a
quiz using these words, use each word in the list once to complete the quiz.
3. Use Technology to Help You
Watching DVDs is a great way to help you understand native speakers of
English. Using all the fancy options watching individual scenes can help make
DVD use into a vocabulary learning exercise.
4. Specific Vocabulary Lists
Rather than studying a long list of unrelated vocabulary, use specific
vocabulary lists to help you prepare for the type of vocabulary you need for
work, school or hobbies. These business vocabulary word lists are great for
industry specific vocabulary items.
Advertising - 1
The use of this lexical approach is essential for successful language acquisition in
English for Specific Purposes. However, teachers are often not equipped with the
exact English terminology required in very specific trade sectors. For this reason, core
vocabulary sheets go a long way in helping teachers provide adequate materials for
students with English for Special Purposes needs.
These core vocabulary reference sheets provide between 150 and 240 key words and
phrases for each industry. Each series is divided into three pages that, when
combined, form an alphabetical list. In taking this lexical approach to attaining key
vocabulary, students should be encouraged to translate the specific words and phrases
into their native tongues as each phrase has a very specific translation in each
language.
advertisement - ad
market coverage
advertiser
mass advertising
advertising - publicity
mass communication
advertising agency
mass media - media
advertising agent
media buyer
advertising budget
media buying
advertising campaign
media buying agency
advertising columns
media department
advertising consultant
media planner
advertising dealer
media planning
advertising effectiveness
media strategy
advertising expenses
merchandising
advertising in the yellow pages
misprint
advertising man - adman
mural advertising
advertising manager
neon sign
advertising media
news agency
advertising planner
newsletter
advertising poster (GB) - advertising board
(US)
number of copies
advertising rate
opinion leaders
advertising support
opinion maker
advertising to sales ratio
opinion poll
announcement - press release
order card
art director
outdoor sign
audience
pay-off
audience composition
peak time
average audience
periodic
average circulation
pocket edition
billboards (GB) - hoardings (US)
point of purchase advertising
(POPA)
billsticking - billposting
point of sale material
bleed page
popularity rating - audience
blow-up
poster (GB) - board (US)
body copy - copy
posting
booklet
press agent
brand image
press cutting - clippings
broadcasting
press office
5. Word Formation Charts
Word formation is one of the keys to success for advanced level ESL learners.
Advanced level English exams such as the TOEFL, First Certificate CAE and
Proficiency use word formation as one of the key testing elements. These
word formation charts provide the concept noun, personal noun, adjective and
verb forms of key vocabulary listed in alphabetical order.
Concept noun
absenteeism
accounting
accusation
achievement
Personal
Adjective
noun
absentee
absent-minded
accountant
accountable
accuser /
accusing
accused
achiever
achieved
addiction
addict
addictive/addicted
administration
administrator
administrative
Verb
to be absent
account
accuse
achieve
to become
addicted
administrate
admiration
advertisement
advice
aggravation
agitation
analysis
antagonism
arbitration
assassination
admirer
advertiser
adviser
aggressor
agitator
analyst
antagonist
arbitrator
assassin
authorization
authority
admired / admiring
advertised
advisory
aggravating
agitated
analytical
antagonistic
arbitrary
assassinated
authoritarian /
authoritative
admire
advertise
advise
aggravate
agitate
analyse
antagonize
arbitrate
assassinate
authorize
6. Visual Dictionaries
A picture is worth a thousand words. It's also very helpful for learning precise
vocabulary. There are a number of excellent English learner visual dictionaries
for sale. Here is an online version of a visual dictionary dedicated to jobs.
An architect works designing buildings, homes and other structures. Architects draw
up blue prints which are used
Teachers instruct a wide range of students. Younger learners are generally called
pupils, university age learners are referred to as students. Teachers at
7. Learn Collocations
Collocations refer to words that often or always go together. A good example
of a collocation is to do your homework. These lists of important verb + noun
collocations will help your learn some of the most important.
Collocation Use with Take, Have and Break
Choose which one of the following three verbs goes with the expressions listed below
Take Have Break
a break
take
a window
break
a seat
take
a holiday
have
someone's heart
break
a relationship
have
a chance
take
notes
take
the ice
break
a leg
break
a haircut
have
breakfast
have
a taxi
take
a bath
have
a look
take
a drink
have
time
have
a rest
have
someone's place the news to someone
take
break
a headache
have
an exam
take
the law
break
a world record
break
someone's temperature
take
a promise
break
the rules
break
a habit
break
a rest
take
a problem
have
8. Use a Corpus
Corpora are huge collections of documents that can track the number of times
a word is used. By using a corpora, you can find which words are often used
together with target vocabulary words. Combining corpora use with
vocabulary trees is a great way to learn key vocabulary for specific vocabulary
target areas. You can get started by visiting the British National Corpus.
Tips:
1. Use vocabulary learning methods to focus quickly on the vocabulary YOU
need to study.
2. Don't make random lists of new words. Try to group words in themes. This
will help you memorize new words more quickly.
3. If you have the time, and even if you think you don't have the time, try to add
context. Writing a few example sentences using new vocabulary will help you
remember the words in context.
4. Keep a vocabulary notepad at hand whenever you are reading in English
How To Increase Specific Vocabulary
Improving vocabulary skills requires constant attention. This 'how to' focuses on a
basic strategy for increasing vocabulary in specific subject areas through the use of a
vocabulary tree.
Difficulty: Average
Time Required: Varies
Here's How:
1. Choose a subject area that interests you very much.
2. Write a short introduction to the subject trying to use as many vocabulary
words concerning the subject as possible.
3. Using your introduction, arrange the principle ideas concerning the subject
into a vocabulary tree.
4. To create a vocabulary tree, put the subject at the center of a piece of paper.
5. Around the central subject, put the principle areas relating to the subject.
Example - verbs, descriptive adjectives, where, etc.
6. In each of these categories, write the appropriate vocabulary. If you need to,
write sub-categories.
7. Create the same vocabulary tree in your native language
8. Your native language tree will be much more detailed. Use this native
language tree as a reference point to look up new words and fill in your
English tree.
9. Rewrite your introductory essay concerning the subject taking advantage of
the new vocabulary learned.
10. To make this vocabulary active, practice reading your essay aloud until you
can present it by memory.
11. Ask a friend or fellow classmate to listen to your presentation and ask you
questions about the subject.
Tips:
1. Remember that vocabulary goes from passive knowledge to active knowledge - this means
that you need to repeat a word often before it becomes active vocabulary.
2. Be patient with yourself, it takes time for this process to work.
3. Try to always learn vocabulary in groups of words instead of random lists. In this manner,
words are related to each other and are more likely to remember over the long-term.