Building English vocabulary is more than possible with learning tools and strategies. What works for some learners might not be as effective for others. There are a number of general techniques that are used by those teaching vocabulary and act as an English vocabulary builder. Implement these within your approach and you will definitely see the results.
To enhance vocabulary development, there are four elements in a learning strategy that will improve your vocabulary knowledge: action learning; purpose; context; and scaffolding (McCaffery et al., 2007).
- Action learning can be seen as the opposite to passive learning. As an English vocabulary builder, it increases long-term retention. Rather than sitting back and passively taking in vocabulary, you interact with the words and word exercises. In essence, it is learning while doing. It is one of the most effective ways to increase your vocabulary knowledge.
- Learning for a purpose is another learning strategy that enhances vocabulary development McCaffery et al. (2007). Prior to beginning, you should be mindful of your goal. What do you want to take away from your learning? Do you want to learn a specialized vocabulary or a general level of vocabulary? Learning with a purpose in mind will help you to focus on your intended goal and increase your learning.
- Context is also important as an English vocabulary builder. Learning within an environment where the vocabulary is used can greatly assist your learning experience. Placing importance on surrounding content and sentences also enhances your learning.
- Scaffolding is another technique that can be used to develop English vocabulary. Scaffolding occurs within a structured environment (McCaffery et al., 2007). It uses additional learning aids to reach a specific goal. In other words, it is planned and structured learning. To assist learning, scaffolding can involve the use of questioning. Learners are asked to define words using their own descriptions or in presentations. Vocabulary software also incorporates scaffolding. For example, Ultimate Vocabulary’s ESL Success Edition offers non-English speakers the opportunity to improve their English vocabulary – regardless of what level they are at. Although designed as preparation for the TOEFL exam, the benefits of this software as an English Vocabulary Builder are second to none. Audio pronunciations are spoken by native English speakers. Five different test types and learning activities rapidly improve English vocabulary.
When increasing your word knowledge, incorporate all forms of vocabulary, such as speaking, listening, reading, and writing. The spoken word doesn’t usually require as much understanding as the written word. It is generally not as rich as written vocabulary. Often the vocabulary we speak is less broad than what we write. As such, to get that rich vocabulary that you are after, make sure you work on all types of vocabulary when developing your English.
It is also extremely important that you incorporate knowledge you already possess to act as an English vocabulary builder (Manyak, 2007). That is, draw upon past life experiences and your knowledge of similar groupings of words to assist learning.
One such connection between words that will assist comprehension is that of word marriages (Greever and Bachelor, Century Vocabulary Builder, 1922). If you have knowledge of particular words and you see them used, you can often infer meaning. For example, Greever and Bachelor (1922) provide the ‘graph’ (to write) family of words to demonstrate word kinship: graphic, lithograph, cerograph, cinematograph, stylograph, telegraph, multigraph, seismograph, dictograph and monograph.
Manyak (2007) suggests that existing vocabulary skills in one language should not be considered as an impediment to learning English vocabulary. Instead, they should be viewed as helpful. You can heavily rely upon existing knowledge and life experience. Put it to good use when learning English vocabulary.
References
Greever, G & Bachelor, JM, The Century Vocabulary Builder (1922).
Manyak, PC 2007, ‘A Framework for Robust Literacy Instruction for English Learners’, The Reading Teacher, vol. 61, no. 2, pp. 197-199.
McCaffery, J. Merrifield, J. and Millican, J. 2007, Developing Adult Literacy: Approaches to Planning, Implementing and Delivering Literacy Initiatives.