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One of the very important parts of learning a language is learning vocabulary. A good vocabulary increases your comprehension of the language, and enables you to express your ideas more distinctly and vividly.

The English language consists of an enormous number of words. It is impossible for anyone to know all the words in the language, which means that you must choose the words to learn.

There are no clear rules to help you choose the words, as you learn vocabulary. A few guidelines would be to learn words that are important to your field of study or work, and the words that you encounter and use often. Of course, it would always be better to keep adding words to your vocabulary whenever you can. If you want to become a proficient user of language, you will end up adding a large number of words to your vocabulary. Schmitt, N (2000, p. 3) states that, ‘the amount of vocabulary the average native speaker acquires is prodigious.’

Words play a very important role in our communication, and in our lives. ‘Words both express, and allow speakers to extend, their understanding of the world around them. In addition, words afford access to completely new worlds,’ (Blachowicz, C L Z, Fisher, P J & Watts-Taffe, S 2005, p. 2).

There are a few very simple techniques to learn vocabulary. Once you encounter a new word, write it down in a notebook, or better, on a card or paper. Find out more about the word, such as its meaning, its definition, its usage, and so on, and write it along with the word. Say the word several times, and use them in different sentences and contexts, until you are comfortable with the use of the word. Make associations for the word with other words, images, or objects.

Once you have acquired enough words, sort them down into groups according to some criteria, such as the root word, the grammatical category, or similar criteria. As the number of words keep increasing, keep sorting them into further and furhter subcategories. This helps in easy retrieval of the word any time you want. If possible, collect additional information about the word such as pictures or clippings.

Don’t forget to check back on the list every time you forget a word, or want any information related to the word. Occasionally, get someone to prepare a vocabulary test for you based on your list. This gives you a quantitative measure of your ability to learn vocabulary, from time to time. And most important of all, don’t forget the real purpose for which you learned these words: to use them in your spoken conversation and written documents.

Use of any additional materials, such as dictionaries, thesauri, grammar books, online vocabulary builders, and computer vocabulary software, will enhance your productivity.

REFERENCES

Blachowicz, C L Z, Fisher, P J & Watts-Taffe, S 2005, Integrated Vocabulary Instruction, Learning Point Associates, Naperville, IL.

Schmitt, N 2000, Vocabulary in Language Teaching, Cambridge University Press, The Edinburgh Building, Cambridge.