If you’re stuck in a job that doesn’t fulfill you, your interests, or your expectations, it’s very easy to find yourself feeling frustrated and overwhelmed. You may even find yourself cursing the fact that you didn’t listen to what your college guidance counselor told you about dropping history for an easier major. But whether it’s a new career, a new job, or just a few extra skills that you’d like to have, there’s no time like the present to start improving your situation and that includes learning new words. Here are few tips to get you started:
Take a class
There are all kinds of great language classes offered in most school districts. Many large cities offer free or low-cost courses designed to teach immigrants English, which you can sign up for without having to worry about taking the placement test. There’s also an abundance of online courses available through sites like Udemy and Coursera. And in-person classes are offered at most local colleges or through community education programs. You can also check with your local library to see what kind of programs they offer. It doesn’t matter where you learn it from, just as long as keep improving.
Keep a list of new vocabulary
Ever hear someone say they have an eidetic memory? No, it’s not some sort of photographic genius—it just means that they’re able to recall every word on the tip of their tongue so effortlessly that you wouldn’t believe it if you saw it. Lucky for you, a great vocabulary is just a matter of training your memory and keeping track of what you learn. Every time you learn a new word, write it down on a sheet of paper or add it to a notes application on your phone so that you can study without even trying. This way, you’ll be able to retain even the more obscure words and use them whenever you need to.
Use word games
There are are word games all over the internet; not only are they fun, but they’re also great for word retention. Some word games in particular even focus on precision, which is the most effective way to learn new vocabulary in any language. For instance, a word finder is great for word retention because it forces you to find the right word, rather than just running through every word you know. And crosswords force you to think about how a word is written, pronounced, and used in context. The best thing about word games is that you can play them with friends and family which makes learning a lot more fun. You can click here to access some of the top word games online, as well as an array of word finder game tools to help improve your game.
Dig up an old journal from school
Many of us have old journals or diaries that we wrote during our school years. And if you don’t, ask your parents for access to the ones they’ve kept stashed away. Spend a night perusing all of your notes and jottings—chances are you’ll be surprised by some of the vocabularies that were hiding in there. Everyone’s vocabulary ebbs and flows, so this will help you appreciate just how far you’ve come. , By the way, don’t let a fear of embarrassing yourself keep you from going back and looking at what you wrote in middle school—it’s all part of the growing process!
Don’t be afraid to use flashcards
Flashcards can be used for practically anything, and word learning is no exception. When you’re trying to decide if that word you just thought of has an equivalent in French or English, pull out a flashcard and see what you already know about it. If you haven’t yet learned it, now’s the time. If you have but just need a refresher, start by writing down its definition and then put it into practice as soon as possible. The same goes for those words that you’ve known for years but never use—write them on a flashcard and keep them with you so that you’re not tempted to avoid them. If you can’t think of an occasion where you might use it yourself, put it in the middle of a sentence on the other side and see if you can work it into daily conversation.
Use word of the day applications
Another great way to learn new vocabulary is through word of the day applications. These applications are great for a few reasons: not only do they typically give you an interesting fact about the word, but many of them also focus on precision. It can help you to be more exact with your choice and avoid using “slightly incorrect” words that still get your point across. Another benefit of word of the day applications is that they’re usually easy to use and can be accessed through your phone. You’ll always have a way to learn new words with you, even if you don’t have access to a computer or tablet.
Read more
A great way to find new words on your own is by reading more. Whether you’re looking at the newspaper, magazines, or books—the more vocab you’re exposed to, the better. If you don’t have time for reading a book but still want to read some daily material, try checking out your local paper or subscribing to an online newspaper. There are also some great blogs out there that you can check daily for inspiration and new vocabulary. Some of the best ways to find new words include looking up new recipes, visiting TED Talks, and browsing Buzzfeed (it may sound silly but it has a lot of interesting articles).
If reading books or articles isn’t your thing, try watching television shows and movies instead. This will improve your vocabulary just as well, while also allowing you to relax at the same time. Reading subtitles is also a great way to learn new vocabulary, but if you want to enjoy what you’re watching, try looking up the subtitles online so that you can watch with no interruptions.
Keep a dictionary on hand
If your vocabulary is rusty, then there’s no better way to fix it than by reading—except maybe listening, but the last thing you want is to end up word-blind. Keep a dictionary on hand so that you can look up words you don’t know and set a goal of finding five new words every day. Some people even recommend using a specific dictionary that’s specialized for the language or subject you’re studying, which is great if it’s an option for you. There are plenty of free online dictionaries available too, plus there are apps out there that can translate anything into any language in real-time—they’re very useful when traveling.
When you have a good vocabulary, everything else seems to fall into place. You can speak more clearly and accurately, write more powerfully, and even enjoy your reading more! Give these tips a try today and see if they don’t help to improve your vocabulary as well as the rest of your life.
