ESL vocabulary learning is essential to make your communication skills stronger and more powerful. But how can you learn English words in ESL?
Building vocabulary is probably the easiest way to improve the power of your speech. First, start adding synonyms to your foundation. Then, try to learn different things about a group of words or a word. Finally, enjoy the results you will start seeing.
Is ESL Vocabulary Difficult?
Developing your vocabulary isn’t difficult and it doesn’t have to be painful or tedious. In fact, it can be fun.
I’ll give you 20 ideas to start building your vocabulary right away. Think of how these opportunities are all around. Words really build the word and are everywhere.
Of course, you will have to spend a little of your time to do it.
However, if you have a teacher or if, in fact, you are a teacher it will be easier to get help and be helped, I guess.
Everything is worthy because it will take you to a new level and you will be able to communicate with an ease you couldn’t ever imagine.
Have a look at these 20 WAYS OF BUILDING UP YOUR ESL VOCABULARY every day
20 WAYS OF BUILDING UP YOUR ESL VOCABULARY
- Start using a new word straight away – learn it and use it; teach it and ask for it.
- Repeat new words whenever possible – it helps your memory.
- Develop functional vocabulary – learn a word that expresses what is important for you; teach a word that is useful and handy for the learner.
- Read every day – anything in English will help you becoming familiar with an unknown word.
- Learn a new word every day – try to learn something new every single day.
- List new words – write down, put them in a jar… whatever! But list them. If you later remember ⅓ of the new words, it will be an achievement.
- Create a ‘Word of the Week’ poster – illustrate a word’s meaning all by yourself. Find and cut out from newspapers or magazines what can well illustrate the meaning. Make it your project.
- Look up words you don’t know the meaning – if you come across a word that is unfamiliar, take the time to look it up; if you don’t have the time, write it down and do it later.
- Learn what comes along – find out common prefixes or suffixes, the root of a word, etc.
- Make synonym/opposite word lists – brainstorm words you can use instead of others.
- Use mnemonics – memory tricks can be used so easily.
- Make up associations – relate words by brainstorming and listing them (contextualized photographs are really handy here). Make connections between words and your life.
- Visualize new words – excellent to remember new words and meanings.
- Learn through movement and drama – this will help you remember the meaning later on.
- Keep a diary, a journal – it will improve your vocabulary and help you with No.1
- Play online games – these will help you while you are having fun.
- Listen to English songs every day – one of the best ways to learn new words and such an easy task to actually carry out.
- Watch films with English subtitles – add fun and pleasure to your learning.
- Do English word puzzles – again, building up and having fun at the same time while searching your memory for words you do know but don’t use.
- Do online vocabulary tests – there are a lot of online resources out there to help you.
About No.14, I have to tell you a story that happened in one of my classes and it is a common thing my students are used to.
Once, one of them asked me the meaning of the verb throw while we were reading a text. I was holding my textbook and the whiteboard pen in my hands and immediately threw the pen away.
They all stared at me!
Then I said “That’s it, now you know the meaning of throwing!”
“Can you throw it back, please?” I asked.
They all laughed. I bet they never forgot the meaning of the verb throw.
Now it’s time to get started and use 5 or 6 of these different ways of building up your ESL vocabulary! Then tell me about it. Which one(s) do you really like? Which do you think it’s difficult to try?
Please leave some feedback.
See you soon!
