Vocabulary is one of the most important skills to learn, and it allows us to communicate clearly, understand complex concepts, and think critically.
In this post, we will explore 9 different ways you can use your study time effectively in order to improve your vocabulary; we call them the best way to study vocabulary.
The Best Way To Study Vocabulary
1. Learn The Meaning Of Words
Read the word in context. This is the best way to remember what words mean and how they are used because you can see them in context with other words.
Look up the word in a dictionary. This can be helpful if you don’t know how to use a particular word yet or need to know more about its meaning before using it again on your own.
Use a flashcard app on your phone with space for writing down answers after seeing each card; this helps keep track of what you’ve learned so far without having any written notes around.
There are many different options available online as well: Anki’s free version comes with over 30 million cards available right now, while Quizlet has over 6 million quizzes available online too.
2. Use Flashcards Online
Flashcards are a great way to learn vocabulary. You can use flashcards online, on paper, and even on your phone.
If you want to study in bulk but don’t have the time or space to devote to it, flashcard apps like Anki are perfect for you.
Flashcards make studying easier because they’re visual and can be used anywhere, allowing students with busy schedules access when they need it most.
And since there’s no need for expensive equipment like textbooks, pens/paper, or even bookshelf space, students don’t have any excuses for being unable to study.
3. Memorize The Definitions Of Words You Already Know
Memorizing the definitions of words you already know is an excellent way to expand your vocabulary, but it can be difficult.
If you’re trying to memorize a word and think, “I know what that means,” then try this: Read the definition aloud several times in order to understand it better.
Then, write down all the letters in order, starting with A through Z or whatever letter set makes sense for your difficulty level.
When you get through each letter group and want another one, go back and read through again until all three groups are complete. This will help ensure that you’re not just repeating sounds repeatedly.
4. Read A Passage Out Loud And Try To Memorize It
Reading a passage aloud is an excellent way to practice your vocabulary because it helps you memorize the words and use them in sentences. You can also try reading out loud if you have trouble remembering them.
To read silently: Read the passage at least twice, once with all the pauses and once without any pauses.
Then go back and listen carefully for what happened in between the pauses so that when they come up again during their own sentences, they will seem familiar enough that they don’t surprise us later on.
To record: Record yourself reading aloud using your phone/mp3 player; this will help track how much time has passed since we last talked about vocabulary and whether or not something seems difficult for our brains.
Flashcards are another great way for students to study vocabulary together through games like “Pictionary,” where players fill in pictures based on clues provided by other players’ answers too.
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5. Write Down Vocabulary You Need To Remember
One excellent way to remember vocabulary is to write it down. This can be done differently, including using flashcards and writing out the words on one side and their definitions on the other.
If you use a spaced repetition system, then this will help keep your brain active by making sure that you review your flashcards frequently.
By doing that, when you’re studying for tests or quizzes, there’s not as big of a gap between learning new words and recalling them again later on.
6. Study In Different Contexts
Reading is a great way to learn vocabulary and practice your reading skills at the same time.
Reading will help you understand the meaning of words, while writing can help you remember them by forcing you to use them in sentences.
Writing is effective for students who have difficulty remembering new words when they first encounter them in context (e.g., when reading).
By writing down these words, students are forced into using their new knowledge to better retain it later on when studying outside of class or reviewing material independently.
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7. Learn By Listening And Speaking To Others
Listen to new words and try to guess their meaning. Talk with others about the words you have learned, especially if they are similar in meaning.
Use social media like twitter or Facebook to find people who are learning the same language as you.
You can also use language exchange sites, where students worldwide come together online and learn through video chats, instant messaging (IM), emails, and phone calls.
8. Write Down New Words Every Day Using Context Clues To Help You Find Their Meanings
One of the best ways to improve your vocabulary is by writing down new words daily using context clues to help you find their meanings.
If you’re using a notebook or computer, create a word list in one column and write the new words on their own lines below each other.
You can also make a separate file for this purpose if preferred. A good way of finding out how often your brain forgets some of these words each day is by taking notes during lectures or while reading general news articles online.
8. Try To Remember The Context
The context in which the word is used not only helps you understand how the word is used but also helps you retain the word better than studying the item in isolation.
Therefore, it is important not only to study one word but also to find good example sentences.
FAQ
Does Vocabulary Increase IQ?
The link between IQ and vocabulary is undeniable. When you improve your vocabulary, the more your intelligence will increase.
What Causes Poor Vocabulary?
Some factors caused students’ difficulties in learning vocabulary:
The spoken form is different from the written form
The number of words to learn is extremely large
The limited sources of information about words
The complexity of verbal knowledge
How can I activate my vocabulary?
Reading is perhaps the best way to become familiar with new words, even if you don’t immediately add them to your active but passive vocabulary. So it can be considered as the first step in this journey of improving your active vocabulary.
What App Can I Use To Improve My Vocabulary?
PowerVocab. PowerVocab for Android is like a flashcard quiz for Android, building your vocabulary through timed mini-tests in which players match words with multiple-choice definitions. Even cooler, you can play against others when you feel like showing off your new word skills.
Does Vocabulary Improve Memory?
Words support memory and prepare the visual areas of the brain. The resulting mental images make us more sensitive to what we try to remember. This is called top-down processing, where the upper part of the brain controls the constraints of the lower part – sensory input.
Does Reading A Lot Improve Vocabulary?
Learning vocabulary from a book is much easier than memorizing words in a dictionary. That’s because you learn words in context, and words make sense in the context of what you’re reading, making them easier to remember later.
What Age Does Vocabulary Increase?
Sometime around 18 months, most children experience a “word explosion” (or “naming explosion”) that leads to a large increase in their spoken vocabulary. Although the common age for this increase is 18 months, it can occur in children between 15 and 24 months of age.
Is Vocabulary Part Of IQ?
IQ tests usually examine many different abilities, including the verbal ability. Vocabulary is generally considered a good measure of the verbal subset of IQ and is sometimes used as a shorthand. However, since this test only measures verbal ability, it is not a complete IQ test.
Does Reading Increase IQ?
Exposure to vocabulary through reading leads to higher scores on reading tests and higher scores on general intelligence tests for children. Additionally, stronger early reading skills may translate to higher intelligence later in life.
Which Book Helps To Improve English?
The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation by Lester Kaufman and Jane Straus. This comprehensive workbook is the perfect place to start your reading journey. It includes detailed examples, exercises, and quizzes covering all the main pillars of English, so you can learn before you test your skills.
Conclusion
With this guide on the best way to study vocabulary, you will understand that vocabulary is essential to studying any language.
It’s important to understand the meaning of a word before you use it, but it’s also important to know how to use the word correctly.
Studying your vocabulary differently makes you more likely to succeed when speaking or writing in the target language.
