How Do You Work On Your Vocabulary?

[Francisco23]

I find that I am not so much of an auditory learner, and so my strength really lies in seeing and visualizing things. For this reason, I find that in order for me to effectively memorize and remember things in building up my vocabulary, I have to apply extensive reading. I find it even more effective than watching a TV. I only catch the accent through watching the TV. How do you improve your vocabulary?

[justusforus]

If I read or hear a word I am not familiar with I always stop, look it up and see the derivation of the word (whether from Latin, French or other) and then try and use it in a sentence.  If I am not sure of the word or meaning, I look it up anyway.  I continue to learn this way and expand my vocabulary and often learn something else interesting along the way (like the history of the word or usage).

[Trellum]

I use the english language on a daily basis, but strangely enough it seems I'm stuck with the same words everyday.  For some reason I just can't expand my vocabulary the way I'd like!  I guess using english on a daily basis is just not enough for me! 

I'd like to create a list of words and also look up words I don't understand and write them down. Then try to use them as much as possible on a daily basis.  I'm afraid this alone won't do tho... since expanding your vocabulary and keeping it that way requires a lifelong commitment and effort.

[dorannmwin]

I am a voracious reader and that is the primary way that my vocabulary grows.

I also make a point of stopping and looking up all new words that I come across when I am reading.

[eppie]

Whenever I encounter a "new" English word, I will look up its meaning on the dictionary and will think of 2 or 3 sentences where I can use said word.  That's what I do to expand my vocabulary and so far it's working for me as I was able to recall and re-use the words in some conversations.  :grin:

[DaBlink182]

I use the english language on a daily basis, but strangely enough it seems I'm stuck with the same words everyday.  For some reason I just can't expand my vocabulary the way I'd like!  I guess using english on a daily basis is just not enough for me! 

I'd like to create a list of words and also look up words I don't understand and write them down. Then try to use them as much as possible on a daily basis.  I'm afraid this alone won't do tho... since expanding your vocabulary and keeping it that way requires a lifelong commitment and effort.

This is exactly what I'm experiencing as well. I use English on a daily basis too, but it doesn't increase my vocabulary that much. There are times when I'm reading an article and I come across a word that I'm unfamiliar with, but that doesn't happen very often. I guess I should read more articles that are difficult for me to understand.

[brothainarms]

Mine is looking at various word lists.  I find this expands it fairly easily!

[Hedonologist]

I will try to learn a set of words by rote and then read a piece of text where they are used, if there are any words that haven't stuck I will relearn them and try to read the text again. I repeat this until I can read the passage with ease.

[Qamra]

I try to read as often as I can. I switch from reading books in Polish to English and I translate every single word I don't understand. My work is pretty mundane and I would never learn new words if I didn't learn on my own, using the same words all the time... I also try to make friends with intelligent people and discuss various matters to make myself sound better and learn new words.

[rahimbahrain]

I read a lot. I think conscious reading improves your vocabulary.

I also keep a dictionary and thesaurus handy and refer to them whenever I come across new words.

Also, I keep an alert ear while talking and look to pick up new terms, idioms and phrases while others talk.

Its really an exciting journey, when you're constantly on the look-out to improve your vocabulary. You find every book, every read, every chat and every meeting an opportunity to enhance your linguistic skills.

[lovely]

I use to read news papers ..and find meanings of the words which I don't know.

[PeterPen]

The best way to work on my vocabulary is to read. There is no better way.

It is not even important if I understand every word. I usually read something I'm REALLY interested in, so my mind will be eager to understand and remember all the new words.

If I read a book or an article, and a word comes up several times, I am really curious what the word means so I look in the dictionary. As soon as I have found the meaning, I will remember that word forever.

Just reading, anything, without worrying if I understood everything. You can better understand a new word from a context. If I just memorize words, I forget them five minutes later.

A context helps me understand the word better.

[Rosa]

I work on my vocabulary by writing down new words. In my spear time I usually familiarize myself with the meaning and I try to use them when I converse orally or written .