#2 How to Improve Your Vocabulary and Build Confidence

Tip: If you seriously want to improve your vocabulary, then we strongly suggest you try the popular Ultimate Vocabulary software. Click Ultimate Vocabulary for more information.*

Sometimes, we find ourselves in environments we are not accustomed to, such as a different work setting or social function. In such situations, we may find conversation does not flow. What about when we pick up a book that looks interesting, but we just can’t quite get the gist of it? How to improve your vocabulary and participate confidently becomes an important concern.

What is unusual about vocabulary is that you may possess significant knowledge of words in one area but lack in others (Curtis and Kruidenier, 2005). Despite believing we possess a good level of vocabulary knowledge, we can sometimes feel inadequate. Don’t be concerned; there are ways we can develop our vocabulary.

Things to consider when increasing your vocabulary

• The more you read, the richer your vocabulary will become.
• Just knowing the definition of a word does not indicate you understand it.
• You must also understand it in context.
• Knowing what a word means is connected to the background that the word is used within.
• Words that are used in speaking or writing (ie “expressive vocabulary”) often require a greater understanding than those used in listening and reading (ie “receptive vocabulary”) (Allen, 2006).

Some methods to answer your questions on how to improve your vocabulary include: examining similarities and differences in word meanings; learning new words frequently; and keeping a written record of words, their meanings, and usage that you have learnt. Also, look at word associations, such as antonyms, synonyms, and roots; study words that signal connections to other words (ie signal words); and examine words that sound the same but are spelt differently and have different meanings (homophones) (California Department of Education, 2007).

Taken from Texas Education Agency (2002) 31

According to the Texas Education Agency (2002), how to improve your vocabulary should occur through active learning. It is also suggested that you must explore definitional learning (for example, through synonyms and getting the learner to define meanings in their own words) and contextual understandings (such as putting words into different sentences and creating stories where the word is the main focus).

A Solution: Building Your Vocabulary

The popular Ultimate Vocabulary software product has adopted the above principles and offers a wide range of techniques to help build your vocabulary. Apart from the 50 usage examples, word history, visual word explorer, encyclopedia information, and images, for every single word, there are customizable Flash Cards; Synonym Memory; Word Antonym Memory; Word Recall and tests (such as synonym tests, antonym tests, definition tests, and word recall).

How to improve your vocabulary should no longer worry you if you have tools like Ultimate Vocabulary’s software products. Strategies to improve your vocabulary have been implemented within the software. Don’t feel awkward in unusual social and work settings. Invest in your vocabulary and the rewards will be much more than just knowing more words.

References

Allen, J, ‘Too Little of Too Much? What Do We Know about Making Vocabulary Instruction Meaningful?’ (2006) 13(4) Voices From the Middle 16.

California Department of Education Research Digest No 7: Evidence-based Reading Instruction (2007) (viewed 1 February 2009).

Curtis, ME, and Kruidenier, JR, A Summary of Scientifically Based Research Principles: Teaching Adults to Read (2005) (viewed 1 February 2009).

Texas Education Agency, Promoting Vocabulary Development – Components of Effective Vocabulary Instruction (2002) (viewed 1 February 2009).