How to learn new words
As a language student, I was often very lazy about using dictionaries and recording the new words that I had learnt in class. As I grew older, I realized that t is nearly impossible to remember new words and be able to use them correctly if you don’t record new language properly. When you come to ISI to study English, you will also have to use English outside the classroom and you will pick up (learn) a lot of new expressions and words from speaking to native English speakers at work, in your home stay etc.
So…the next time you’re sitting in English class/ reading a newspaper/watching a movie etc and you come across some new vocabulary, try out some of these ideas to help you learn and remember new vocabulary
- take down the word/phrase and make a note of the part of speech (Is it a noun?verb?adjective?)
e.g. creative (adj) - If possible, write a sentence including the new word, e.g. Jorge is very creative. He loves making things.
- Check your English-English dictionary (or ask your classmates/teacher) to see if there are other words which are related, e.g. creation (n.), create (v.) etc . By learning the meaning of one new word, you can easily increase your vocabulary by learning all of the associated words and phrases!
- Sometimes it helps to include a translation of a word/phrase/expression. However, it is really important that you don’t always translate into your mother tongue as you will find it really difficult to remember the English word when you need it.
- Practice, practice, practice!!! Try to use the new vocabulary on the day you learn it - slip it into a conversation with friends / in English class.
- Try out some of these useful online vocabulary training programmes (some of them offer European/Asian languages in addition to English)
http://www.wordchamp.com/lingua2/Home.do
http://vocabulary.co.il/index_main.php (especially good for lower level learners - A0-A2)
I hope you find the tips and links useful!
Lorraine
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