How do I increase my vocabulary?

Acquiring new vocabulary is a priority for any language learner. However, while
learning new words is relatively easy, actually remembering them, mastering their
pronunciation, and then using them correctly in your writing and speaking is a
different matter. Here are some tips to help you pick up and retain new
vocabulary in an effective and unstressful way.

Read

One of the most effective ways of increasing vocabulary is through reading. Don't panic, though; this doesn't necessarily mean trying to make sense of 400-page novels or academic texts. Reading can be done in many ways, and it's a good idea to read something that's actually relevant to your interests. Magazines and newspaper articles are great for this, as are short stories and novels designed for English learners. There are also many websites that focus on reading materials for students, accompanied by an array of comprehension questions. If you're unsure of a word's pronunciation, though, make sure you look it up. Most online dictionaries have an icon that you can click on to hear how a word should be pronounced.

Listen

Watching films and listening to programmes in English is also a great way of picking up words. And with subtitles to help you, you'll be able to check the meaning of words you're unsure of. It can also help to rewatch films you've already seen in your own language in English, as you're likely to know what's going on.

Pace yourself

While you may be in a hurry to increase your vocabulary, trying to learn too many words at a time may not help you. You're more likely to remember words if you go slowly and take time learning how to use them properly.

Don't rely on your dictionary too much

Try to guess the meaning of words from the context in which they're used and the words surrounding them in a sentence. This is often how we pick up new words in our own language, as hearing the sentences around a word often makes the meaning quite obvious.

Use the language

There's no point in learning words if you're not going to use them. Why not try using them in written sentences or, if you have the chance, including them in your conversations? Like most skills, learning a language takes persistence and hard work, so it's important not to get discouraged, and to practise on a regular basis. However, if you make vocabulary a priority, and follow some of these tips, hopefully, before long, you should start to see your hard work pay off.