13. If you’re in search of a
program, sign up for a
free trial of Transparent
Language Online, which
presents thousands of
vocabulary words in a
suite of interactive
activities that will help
you learn them
quicker and retain
them longer.
14. If you’re in search of a
program, sign up for a
free trial of Transparent
Language Online, which
presents thousands of
vocabulary words in a
suite of interactive
activities that will help
you learn them
quicker and retain
them longer.
(Pitch over, we swear!)
16. Chances are, you already know dozens (if not
hundreds or more!) of words in your new
language, but you just don’t realize it.
17. Chances are, you already know dozens (if not
hundreds or more!) of words in your new
language, but you just don’t realize it.
HOW?
18. Chances are, you already know dozens (if not
hundreds or more!) of words in your new
language, but you just don’t realize it.
HOW?
They’re called cognates.
21. Take time to memorize the cognates in the
language you’re learning. A Google search for
“[language]-English cognates” should lead you
in the right direction.
22. Beware, though! You should also search for
and memorize false cognates, or words
that sound the same but actually have
very different meanings.
25. Cognates are extremely easy to memorize. But if
you’re beyond the beginner level, you probably
know most of them. What’s next?
26. Cognates are extremely easy to memorize. But if
you’re beyond the beginner level, you probably
know most of them. What’s next?
Synonyms and antonyms!
50. Looking up the origins or literal meanings
of words and expressions will paint a
mental picture that you can look back
on, rather than just relying on rote
memorization.
55. For example, the
Portuguese
expression “Escrevo
o que eu tô te
falando.” literally
means “Write down
what I’m telling
you.”
That’s a little
strange, right? If you
look it up, you’ll find
that it’s actually
used to say “Mark
my words.”
56. Watching and interacting with
native speakers on an informal
platform like Twitter will give your
vocabulary a much-needed boost
in the colloquial department.
61. Similar to how exploring word origins helps you
build vocabulary by providing strong mental
images, listening to music gives you something
memorable to associate with a new word.
64. Pick one song at a time, and look up all of
the unfamiliar vocabulary in the lyrics. With
enough listens, those new words and phrases
will be engrained in your mind, just like
your favorite songs in your native language.
65. Vocabulary building should be a goal
for language learners of all levels.
The greater your vocabulary in a language,
the better you will understand others and
express yourself.
Use these tips to get started, and never
stop acquiring new vocabulary!
66. Ready to build your vocabulary?
Sign up for a free trial of Transparent Language Online and learn
thousands of new vocabulary words and phrases in 100+ languages!
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