How to learn English vocabulary: tips and resources

Methods to learn English vocabulary

Use the following methods to add words to your vocabulary. If you are consistent in applying them, you will see results very quickly.

1. Read a lot

Reading is the best way to increase your vocabulary because it exposes you to hundreds of new words.

You can read reviews, news articles, fashion or sports magazines. It doesn’t matter what you choose. The important thing is to read and write down words you don’t understand.

We invite you to start with our selection of books to learn English by reading.

2. Use dictionaries

Following the previous tip, when you read, keep a good dictionary nearby. This way, when you finish writing down new vocabulary, you can look up its meaning in the dictionary and gradually enrich your notebook.

Now, if you don’t want a physical dictionary, there are many virtual dictionaries that provide, besides the definition of the new term, the possibility to listen to and practice its pronunciation.

3. Learn by categories

The best way to learn vocabulary is by categories. It is very easy to find lists of terms on various topics such as family, sports, parts of the house, moods, clothing, etc.

This will make the process much easier because you will be able to associate words from the same group and master them well before moving on to the next category.

4. Use your surroundings

Usually, houses are full of clothes, furniture, and appliances. Use them to learn and practice new vocabulary.

For example, stick a post it on your desk and write its name in English on the paper. This way, every time you see it, you will remember its name.

Games to learn English vocabulary

Playing is an excellent way to have fun learning and luckily there are many games you can use to expand your vocabulary. Here are some of them.

Pictionary

In this game, someone draws a word and you have to guess which word it is.

Charade

Like in pictionary, you must guess the meaning of a word, but instead of a picture, you guide yourself by the gestures made by another person.

This game not only guarantees that you practice your vocabulary but also lots of laughter and fun.

STOP

Many people around the world use this game to practice and learn vocabulary and you can use it too.

To play it, you only need a sheet of paper and a pencil. Once you have this, choose a letter and quickly write the name of a city, an object, an animal, and a food that start with the letter you chose.

At the end, shout ¡stop! To let your opponent know you finished first.

Letter Scramble

Ask someone to take a word and scramble its letters so you have to guess what word it is.

Crossword

Use the definitions to fill the vertical and horizontal boxes with the correct word.

The advantage of this game is that you don’t need anyone else and you can find many examples online.

Newspaper search

Choose a set of words and look for images of these words in magazines and newspapers.

To make it fun, try to do this in the shortest time possible and each time you play try to beat your record.

Wordle

Wordle is a game, created last year, that has gained great popularity in a very short time. Its fame is such that the New York Times bought it earlier this year.

In it, you have six attempts to guess a five-letter word. With each attempt, the colors gray, green, and yellow will indicate if a letter is in the correct position, incorrect, or definitely not part of the word.

Don’t wait any longer and test your knowledge by guessing the word of the day.

Other activities to learn English vocabulary

It is not enough just to learn new words; the most important thing is to be able to use them correctly. The following activities will help you with this.

1. Contextualize

Try to learn the different contexts in which a word can be used. By doing this, you will see that you can use the same word in various situations.

For example, lit means that an object is on. It also indicates that an object is illuminated and, in more colloquial language, that something is amazing or cool.

2. Word network

Associate your new vocabulary with what you have already learned to create a network of words. This way you will easily expand it and remember words you already know without difficulty.

For example, you can create a diagram with the main word in the center, and the different associated terms around it.

heart of the issue (the core of the matter) ← heart (heart) → love (love) → flowers (flowers).

3. Practice with your friends

Use the phrases and words you have learned, creating sentences or simply use them in a conversation with your friends.

4. Deconstruct words

English has words made up of the combination of two words. For example, football, breakfast, bookstore, notebook, odorless, etc.

When you come across unknown words, try to break them down. Sometimes, this exercise will help you to correctly guess the meaning of words you have never seen before.

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Why does it work?

The ABA English natural method works because you learn in a practical way and by imitation. Even if you start from zero, you will first listen, repeat, read, and write. Then, little by little and effortlessly, you will assimilate the theory.

Check it out. Start today and show off your level in a few months.

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