2. ““WhileWhile without grammarwithout grammar little can belittle can be
conveyed,conveyed, without vocabularywithout vocabulary,,
nothing can be conveyed.’’nothing can be conveyed.’’
David Wilkins, British linguistDavid Wilkins, British linguist
3. Important QuestionsImportant Questions
How can you build your vocabulary in aHow can you build your vocabulary in a
foreign or new language?foreign or new language?
What resources do you need?What resources do you need?
What’s the best way to memorize it?What’s the best way to memorize it?
We have few Suggestions..!We have few Suggestions..!
4. 11-- Use Language-Learning softwareUse Language-Learning software
Language-learning software can be aLanguage-learning software can be a
very effective vocabulary builder,very effective vocabulary builder,
especially for beginnersespecially for beginners
5. 2-2- Study Cognates & False CognatesStudy Cognates & False Cognates
““Cognates are the words with the sameCognates are the words with the same
origin as another word or Language.’’origin as another word or Language.’’
They sound the same (or very similar) in bothThey sound the same (or very similar) in both
languages.languages.
Example: ‘Haus’ in German is Cognate withExample: ‘Haus’ in German is Cognate with
‘house’ in English.‘house’ in English.
Information:Information: ’German’ and ‘Dutch’ are Cognate languages.’German’ and ‘Dutch’ are Cognate languages.
(Dutch is Netherlands’s National language.)(Dutch is Netherlands’s National language.)
6. Take time to memorize theTake time to memorize the CognatesCognates inin
the language you’re learning.the language you’re learning.
You should also memorize “You should also memorize “FalseFalse
CognatesCognates, or words that sound the, or words that sound the
same but actually have very differentsame but actually have very different
meanings.”meanings.”
Example:Example: ‘Flour’ and ‘Flower’‘Flour’ and ‘Flower’
7. 33- Study Synonyms- Study Synonyms
““Synonyms are the words that has theSynonyms are the words that has the
same or nearly the same as another in thesame or nearly the same as another in the
same language.”same language.”
Example:Example: ’Big’ and ‘Large’ are synonyms.’Big’ and ‘Large’ are synonyms.
8. SynonymsSynonyms
If you know the word for “funny,” you should be allIf you know the word for “funny,” you should be all
set, right?set, right?
But what if someone tells you: That was…But what if someone tells you: That was…
HilariousHilarious
AmusingAmusing
EntertainingEntertaining
SillySilly
Hysterical?Hysterical?
9. 4-4- Study Prefixes & SuffixesStudy Prefixes & Suffixes
You can addYou can add PrefixesPrefixes andand SuffixesSuffixes toto
create new words. This is called wordcreate new words. This is called word
derivationderivation..
Each prefix and suffix you learn opens theEach prefix and suffix you learn opens the
door to hundreds of new words in yourdoor to hundreds of new words in your
Vocabulary.Vocabulary.
10. PrefixesPrefixes
Add a prefix to create new words.Add a prefix to create new words.
Prefixes change the meaning of words.Prefixes change the meaning of words.
Examples:Examples:
HappyHappy UnUnhappyhappy
AgreeAgree DisDisagreeagree
ByteByte MegaMegabytebyte
11. SuffixesSuffixes
Suffixes change the “part of speech” and theSuffixes change the “part of speech” and the
meaning.meaning.
Examples:Examples:
Happy (adjective) HappiHappy (adjective) Happinessness (noun)(noun)
Agree (verb) AgreeAgree (verb) Agreementment (noun)(noun)
Easy (adjective) EasiEasy (adjective) Easilyly (adverb)(adverb)
Health (noun) HealthHealth (noun) Healthyy (adjective)(adjective)
12. 5- Read, Read, & Read Some More5- Read, Read, & Read Some More
The more you read, the more vocabularyThe more you read, the more vocabulary
you’ll be exposed to. Read actively, notyou’ll be exposed to. Read actively, not
passively, to absorb as many new wordspassively, to absorb as many new words
as possible.as possible.
Don’t rush..!Don’t rush..!
Highlight unfamiliar words and look themHighlight unfamiliar words and look them
up in a dictionary.up in a dictionary.
13. Read a variety of materials, from shortRead a variety of materials, from short
stories and novels to newspapers andstories and novels to newspapers and
blogs, to acquire vocabulary at varyingblogs, to acquire vocabulary at varying
levels of difficulty and a wide range oflevels of difficulty and a wide range of
topics.topics.
14. 6-Keep a Journal in the Target6-Keep a Journal in the Target
LanguageLanguage
Keeping a journal in your target languageKeeping a journal in your target language
is the perfect way to find words you didn’tis the perfect way to find words you didn’t
even know that you didn’t know.even know that you didn’t know.
Take a few minutes to write about yourTake a few minutes to write about your
day. Want to mention something you didday. Want to mention something you did
or experienced, but don’t know how?or experienced, but don’t know how?
That’s probably a word you’ll want to knowThat’s probably a word you’ll want to know
in the future, so look it up!in the future, so look it up!
15. Highlight the new words in each entry. AtHighlight the new words in each entry. At
the end of the week, flip through your oldthe end of the week, flip through your old
entries and review these new words toentries and review these new words to
keep them fresh in your memory.keep them fresh in your memory.
16. 7-Investigate Word Origins7-Investigate Word Origins
If you struggle less with finding newIf you struggle less with finding new
vocabulary and more with justvocabulary and more with just
remembering it, try your hand at a littleremembering it, try your hand at a little
etymology!etymology!
““EtymologyEtymology means the study of themeans the study of the
origin and history of words and theirorigin and history of words and their
meanings.meanings.””
17. It may help to associate a new vocabulary wordIt may help to associate a new vocabulary word
with its origins.with its origins.
For example, the English wordFor example, the English word
“hippopotamus”“hippopotamus” is derived from the Greekis derived from the Greek
wordswords “ippos”“ippos” (horse) and(horse) and “potamas”“potamas” (river).(river).
AssociatingAssociating “hippopotamus”“hippopotamus” withwith “river“river
horse”horse” gives you a strong visual, and may helpgives you a strong visual, and may help
you recall the word more easily.you recall the word more easily.
18. 8-Follow Native Speakers on8-Follow Native Speakers on
TwitterTwitter
Follow politicians, athletes, musicians,Follow politicians, athletes, musicians,
actors, or everyday native speakers ofactors, or everyday native speakers of
your target language and see what they’reyour target language and see what they’re
saying.saying.
Watching and interacting with nativeWatching and interacting with native
speakers on an informal platform likespeakers on an informal platform like
Twitter will increase your vocabulary.Twitter will increase your vocabulary.
19. 9-Learn a “Word of the Day”9-Learn a “Word of the Day”
Use a word-a-day calendar or online WordUse a word-a-day calendar or online Word
of the Day service to learn one new wordof the Day service to learn one new word
each day!each day!
Make a note book or diary and write downMake a note book or diary and write down
a new word and its meanings everyday.a new word and its meanings everyday.
20. 1010-Listen to Music-Listen to Music
Listening to music gives you somethingListening to music gives you something
memorable to associate with a new word.memorable to associate with a new word.
(Have you ever noticed your brain’s seemingly endless capacity for(Have you ever noticed your brain’s seemingly endless capacity for
song lyrics? Think of how many songs you have memorized insong lyrics? Think of how many songs you have memorized in
there!)there!)
Pick one song at a time, and look up all of thePick one song at a time, and look up all of the
unfamiliar vocabulary in the lyrics. With enoughunfamiliar vocabulary in the lyrics. With enough
listens, those new words and phrases will belistens, those new words and phrases will be
engrained in your mind, just like your favoriteengrained in your mind, just like your favorite
songs in your native language.songs in your native language.