Vocabulary-learning techniques

When learning a language it is especially important to expand your vocabulary and everyone has a different approach in doing so.

For  my English class we got the assignment to write about useful vocabulary learning techniques. I believe there are a lot of helpful strategies for learning new words. You just have to find the one that suits you the best.

I myself am a visual learner so it is always easier for me to write a new word down. The most effective way is by making flash cards where I write one word on one side and the definition or example sentences on the other . Flash cards can be also useful when learning something else but they are specially useful for vocabulary learning.  The great thing about flash cards is that it is a simple but effective method. And if you use this strategy it is very easy to feel good about yourself, because there is just one word per card and when you master it its a great feeling when you can put the card in the “words I already learned pile” - that way you get the feeling you are actually progressing. Also, if it helps, draw a little picture next to the explanation because you will find it even easier to learn new words when you can connect them to a picture.   

Online sites

I always use the Internet while learning new vocabulary. It is an effective and easy way to find different language-learning tools. For starters there is a variety of monolingual dictionaries where you can look up specific words and how to properly use them. My favourite dictionary is the Macmillan dictionary because it allows you to search for the explanations and also for the synonyms all at one place.

Another online site, and probably my favourite one, is vocabulary.com. There you can make your own vocabulary lists or browse through the ones that already exist and you can also learn new words through a multiple choice quiz. The best thing about vocabulary.com is that the system remembers every word you look up so when you use it frequently it is basically designed to your needs. When you log in to the site a random question pops up and its usually a word or a phrase you had problems with in the past. That way the site allows you to revise the words every time you use it.

Reading and listening

If you read a lot, it helps you revisit new vocabulary and see those words in new sentences and contexts. Everytime I read a book and encounter an unknown word I write it down immediately and look it up later. Try to include these new acquired words in new sentences or the next time you write a text. Also when I look up a new words I always search for synonyms. That way you expand your vocabulary even further and it really makes an impression if you use  more “fancy” words than just the most basic ones.  

Another good learning-technique is listening to a language. Pronunciation is another important step towards mastering a new language. Maybe find a tandem partner and speak to him/her at a regular basis to improve on your communication skills or just watch a TV show.