Everyone knows this situation: you are watching a movie or reading a book in english and you cross a word, which is unfamiliar with you. You underline it, maybe write it on an extra sheet of paper or in your vocabulary book and then look it up. The only problem is that you will not know it the next time you'll read it or hear it because you just can not remember. Of course you have heard the word before, but the meaning?
To avoid such a situation from happening I am giving you 6 tips for a better way to expand your vocabulary.
1. Use the words you do not know and try to make it relevant to you by writing example sentences that are true for you. For example: I used to love playing "I spy" when I was a child.
2. You can choose a word and try to draw it. Playing the game with someone from your english class could be great fun because both of you have to study the same vocabulary. I think it is also an App available for Apple devices and android phones,, which provides this game.
3. Choose some of your yet-unknown words and write an own invented story in which you include them all. You can make it a sad story or a really funny one; it does not matter. The important thing is to find a context for the words.
4. Try to learn it with the "Diddly-doo" game I found on the internet. This game is similar to the game"20 Questions" but instead of looking for a word in the categories person, place or thing, you have noun, verb and adjective as categories. Diddly-doo is the word you use instead of the word, which you are searching.
For example: Can you diddly-doo outside?
Yes, you can.
Do you need other people to diddly-doo?
5. You can use a version of "Bingo", where you write down words you expect to read in the newspaper headlines or hear in a movie. Next, go to an English-language news website or watch the movie and cross out the words on your bingo card that you guessed correctly.
6. I am sure nearly all of you will know the game: "I packed my suitcase, and in it I put...". This game is not just fun it also helps you to study your vocabulary. But an even better game can be "Word Tennis", where you and the friend you are playing it with choose a category and say alternately different but relevant words to the topic chosen.
What strategies could be useful for you depends on your learning style. Good luck and have fun! :)
Nice post Lisa. Another way to remember the vocabulary is to use it in several sentences. This helps you to remember it quickly. :)
ReplyDeletevery interesting tips, I'll try some of them next time I don't know a word :)
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