LESSONS
Introduction To Vocabulary Building
The ability to speak eloquently and coherently is a skill admired by many people. Even if English is your first language, there will be times when you will feel frustrated and awkward because you can't find the right words to express your thoughts.
Studies have shown that when it comes to social interaction, people who speak well are generally perceived as self-confident and capable, and are admired by others in their circle of friends. Not only that, but men who are articulate and have a good vocabulary tend to be liked by their dates more than men who are good-looking but are lacking in verbal skills.
Reasons Why Vocabulary Building Is Essential
In this technology-driven day and age, it's increasingly important that you are able to express yourself in a clear and positive manner without much advance preparation. Whether you're creating your own YouTube movie or participating in an on-line videoconference, your ability to communicate is perhaps the most important reason why you need to increase your vocabulary. It's just as important to interact well with other people in person, whether in informal or business settings. Especially when handling business matters, you'll want to make a good impression. Part of this interaction is being able to participate in conversations with a variety of people, on a variety of topics.
Having a good vocabulary is also essential in improving your reading skills. When you are going over the dozens of e-mails you receive each day, you might feel discouraged when you see how many long attachments you've been sent to read. On the other hand, if you know your reading speed will let you skim through your mail efficiently, you'll be much more likely to get through your workload in a timely manner. Speed reading is a skill that can be acquired easily if you have a good vocabulary.
Why Can Increasing Vocabulary Be Difficult?
Being well-spoken is different from merely being talkative. In order to be a successful communicator, you have to know what you are talking about. You have to use words that are really relevant. Misunderstandings occur when you choose the wrong words - and you might not even be aware of it at the time.
Some people have difficulty increasing their vocabulary due to poor reading skills. There are those that do not have an interest in reading whatsoever. To them, reading is the perfect cure to insomnia. These people are at a severe disadvantage, because reading is one of the essential tools for vocabulary improvement.
How Can I Increase My Vocabulary?
There are many ways to increase vocabulary. However, these methods require time and effort. If you're really serious about improving your communication skills, you need to plan on dedicating yourself to vocabulary improvement. Plan on setting up a regular study routine of at least 15 minutes a day.
As we mentioned earlier, simply increasing the amount of reading you do is the easiest way to increase the number of words you know. When reading books, blogs, newspapers or magazines, be on the lookout for words that you are not familiar with. Write them down on a piece of paper and check out their meanings.
You can also find software that can help you increase vocabulary. A good vocabulary software package will guide you in choosing words that will be relevant to your daily interactions. Practice using those words all the time. If you have the chance, say them out loud or write them down. Include them in your sentences so you can recall them easily.
There are also several techniques that you can use whether studying online or offline. One of them is imagery, where you attach an image to the word so you can recall the word easily by linking it to the mental picture you have. Imagery is a basic technique used by elementary and pre-school teachers because it's so effective in helping children learn new words. Children still have underdeveloped communications skills so it is difficult for them to understand words by merely hearing them or saying them out loud. Using an image reinforces the concept and improves their ability to remember the word.
NEXT LESSON: Special Techniques You Can Use To Increase Vocabulary