Steps to Better English Vocabulary (Article 4)

Learning new words is hard. You’ll probably need to work on it for a while before you start seeing real results, but with some effort you’ll be able to get there.

There are a few tricks you can use to make the process a little easier. In this post, I’ll show you how to do it.

STEP 1: Take Notes

This is by far the easiest way to learn new words.

Take notes on anything that catches your eye. If you see a word you don’t know, write it down. If you’re in a conversation, note the word that you want to look up later.

Don’t worry about remembering all the details of the conversation. You can always refer back to the notes when you need them.

STEP 2: Use a Dictionary

You can use an online dictionary like this one for free.

If you’d like to save time, you can use a dictionary app on your phone or tablet. I prefer this app because it’s a lot more convenient.

There are also apps for Mac and Windows.

STEP 3: Use Vocabulary Flashcards

The best way to really master a vocabulary is to use flashcards.

You can use these anywhere: in class, at work, or while you’re taking a walk.

STEP 4: Read Articles

If you don’t want to take notes, reading articles about the topic you’re learning is another good way to learn new words.

I use the Pocket app for this. It’s free and works great on my Android device.

STEP 5: Listen to Podcasts

Listening to podcasts is an excellent way to learn new words and expand your vocabulary.

I like the Podcaster app because it makes listening to podcasts as easy as possible.

STEP 6: Use Online Classes

It’s easier to learn new words when you have someone helping you along the way.

This is where online classes like this one come in handy.

You can use the program in a variety of ways, but I recommend using it like this:

First, pick one word to learn per week. If you miss a week, pick up right where you left off.

Second, create a lesson plan that covers all the words you want to learn.

Finally, get started on your lessons. If you start them all at once, it’ll be harder to keep track of them and you might end up skipping some.

If you’re not sure how to create your lesson plan, check out the video tutorial here.

STEP 7: Keep Going

You won’t see results right away. It could take months for you to really start seeing improvements.

That’s okay. The key is to keep going.

If you stop trying, you’ll never make any progress.