Vocabulary Building

Knowing frequent and/or common words in a language and a culture is important.

500 and 1000 most common spoken words and their frequency/usage engert pdf

This 1000 Common Words List goes beyond the frequency list.

Wikipedia:: Frequency lists compiles across broad areas and languages.

Strategies:

Make flash cards but draw (or cut and paste) pictures (do not translate from your native language, that adds an extra step for your brain).

Make up sentences using as many words as possible from the list in each sentence. Odd or funny sentences are great because they are memorable.

Compare frequently used words in another language to the new language. The Wiktionary: Frequency list 

Compare frequent words between your languages: what is missing?

Knowing your personal vocabulary is equally (if not more) important. As you go through your day, say everything you are doing. Then say it in English words. What don't you know? Collect your words and add them as soon as possible. Here are some translators to help. Remember, that translators do not tell the whole story and can be faulty.

Bing Translator

Google Translate

Translate.com

Reverso


Strategies for Building Vocabulary from our 2022/23 American English Class

1. READ, READ, READ!

2. Translate your favorite words in your heart language into the new language.

3. Learn the words you need to use in daily life first.

4. Ask people, "What does it mean? How do you spell it?" Carry notecards or use your 

phone to keep a list.

5. Intentionally use new words in context.

6. Copy words several times to memorize and learn spelling.

7. Teach someone else.

8. Connect words to something you already know (another word, a situation, a color, a place).

9. Develop a mnemonic device or memory trick.

10. Study and learn from mistakes.

11. Keep a notebook using a system that works for you (columns, synonyms, antonyms, 

translation, in a sentence, pictures).

12. Test and retest. Ask others to quiz you.

13. Use flash cards or an online program for frequent review.

14. Make it fun! Use games, puzzles, scrambles, etc.

15. Recite, sing, practice to music.

16. Review at intervals (immediately, one day, one week, six weeks.). Learn, forget, re-learn.

17. Ask different people how they use and say the word.

18. Don't forget pronunciation. Record yourself and native speakers saying the word.

19. Practice dictation. Words relate to other words in the rhythm of sentences. Listen!

20. Explore word families. If you learn the roots of words, you will recognize the words parts 

and their meanings in unfamiliar words.

21. Watch television or movies or listen to music in the new language.

22. READ, READ, READ!


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