Tips to improve English vocabulary

Vocabulary is an indispensable thing when you learn any language in the world. Without vocabulary, no matter how good your grammar is, you cannot communicate well. However, the biggest problem that students encounter when learning English is vocabulary. English vocabulary is countless and it is extremely difficult to memorize all of it. However, the more words you know, the better your ability to communicate.

This article will show you how to memorize English vocabulary quickly and effectively!

1. Memorize words through pronunciation

Vocabulary and pronunciation are closely related. When you pronounce correctly, you will remember the meaning of the word much more easily. If you pronounce incorrectly, it is easy to confuse it with other words, making it difficult for children to learn the word. Therefore, before each new word, look up the pronunciation and read it with native speakers from the beginning to be able to pronounce the word most correctly. After that, remembering the word will be much easier.

2. Read again after listening to the pronunciation tape.

When looking up a word online, you can listen to how native speakers pronounce it. Then, quickly read it after them. This will help you practice correct pronunciation and memorize the word quickly. Make sure you pronounce the word with your mouth, not just by imagining it in your head!

3. Learn the “three best method” right away

The three most important are: “loudest, clearest and fastest”. Read aloud the vocabulary you want to learn, but remember to read it clearly and quickly. At that time, you are concentrating highly on that word. The level of remembering the word is also higher.

4. Know how to classify vocabulary

Learning words in groups makes it easier for you to visualize, remembering this vocabulary in a group with other vocabulary will help you remember the meaning of the whole group very quickly. English vocabulary often has a "word family" that goes together. From a root word, you can deduce nouns, verbs or adjectives with meanings related to the root word. Therefore, learning a group of related words will be much easier for you. For example, the word "compete" means to compete and it is a verb, its noun is "competition".

5. Plan your study time allocation

Like a part of life, consider learning vocabulary as an important thing. Make a plan and allocate reasonable time for learning vocabulary and you will never forget your task. In addition, you must train yourself to have a strong spirit with strict discipline to force yourself into the right framework. Do not easily accept subjective reasons such as being busy, tired or sleepy, not concentrating. If you are too busy, why don't you carry a book with you so that you can study right away when you have free time?

6. Learn both synonyms and antonyms

This is a method to help you learn 1 and get 10. As soon as you learn a word, think of its synonyms and antonyms. Or learn 1 positive word and 1 negative word and pair them together. That way, when you encounter a single word, you can easily remember it right away.

7. Bilingual learning

When you come across a new word, try to figure out its Vietnamese meaning. And vice versa, when you come across a Vietnamese word, try to search your mind to see what it means in English. Learning a language like this not only improves your ability to translate and communicate, but also increases your ability to respond to the language.

8. Remember words through examples

If learning a single word is too difficult for you to remember its meaning and usage, you can learn the word by memorizing examples. In specific examples with specific contexts, the meaning of the word will become easier to understand and remember. Therefore, instead of memorizing words, try memorizing short example sentences related to the word!

Faculty of Foreign Languages - Dai Nam University