Guide to building vocabulary - summary Successful language learners build vocabulary effectively
because they:
get a lot of input through reading and listening have a high level of learning awareness use both subconscious and conscious strategies
and techniquesmaster the basic tools of dictionary use, phonetics,
and basic grammar
Read and listen Research indicates that extensive reading is more important than anything else for your vocabulary. Your reading materials must be at the right level and you need to develop good reading routines. Listening is necessary in order to reinforce your learning, but listening materials must not contain many new words because then there is too much disruption. Learn how to develop the right habits now!
Develop your learning awareness
Successful learners have a solid understanding of how the human brain deals with new words and how the memory works. They also know their own strengths and weaknesses so well that they can leave much learning to the subconscious and concentrate on the challenges.
Identify and improve your learning awareness now! The theme on the English language has a whole chapter on "the language learning processes.
See - THEMES -
Use the right strategies and techniques
As reading is your most important vocabulary source, you must know how to deal with new words as they appear. Successful learners are much better at guessing/understanding the meaning of new words directly. There are evident reasons why they guess more effectively, one being the skill to analyze the structure of words. They also have efficient practical routines for making sure they don't forget what they have learnt because they:
know how to build and use well-structured glossaries have a system of word families reinforce their learning through frequent revisions Successful learners master the three basic tools
- They know how to use various kinds of dictionaries and they make sure they have a clear translation of words in their own language.
- They know that reading phonetic symbols is necessary for the use of dictionaries and glossaries, and that it helps them to improve their pronunciation and language awareness.
- They know that basic grammar is necessary in order to work with word formation, first of all to distinguish between word classes and to be able to 'see' the structures of words and sentences.
