Vocabulary

This page is mostly focussed on academic English.

Academic vocabulary learning process
Developing vocabulary involves the following stages.


 * 1) Finding new words
 * 2) Checking and understanding the meaning (including the register)
 * 3) Selecting new words to try to remember
 * 4) Making a record
 * 5) Remembering
 * 6) Using

1. Finding new words
The most logical place to find new words is through reading. When you encounter a new word (one that you don't know the meaning of) you may want to underline or highlight it and continue reading to see if you can make sense of the text you are reading. You can come back later to check your understanding.

Sometimes you find new words through thoughts in your own first language that you want to articulate in the new language. This highlights the importance of writing and speaking as early as possible to turn your first language thoughts into new language communication.

Refer to the pages on reading and listening for ideas on resources to use to find new words.

2. Checking and understanding the meaning (including register)
There are many types of dictionaries, although generally they can be divided into monolingual and bilingual categories, the latter providing equivalents and translations between two languages. Many monolingual dictionaries, especially learners' dictionaries provide grammatical information and collocations. Sometimes it can help to understand and remember the meaning of words if you understand their origin and development; an etymological dictionary provides such information.