The answer is there is no limit, and in the process, it can be a lot of fun! Why not set yourself a goal of learning two hundred new words a month which is only six words a day.? It may seem an uphill task, but you may be surprised by how easy it is. Use these tips to help you along the way.
- Make Multiple Words from one word.
Look at this word.
C A M E R A
Time yourself. In three minutes, make as many four-letter words as possible. Look at the solution. Are any of these words new? If yes, note them down with their translation and add them to your monthly vocabulary list.
Came, race, cream, ream, mace, mare, cram, area.
- Word Categories
Write as many words as you can under these categories:
I have noted down a few but there are a lot more!
Food: Fruit, vegetables, fast food, meat, fish, seafood, dairy etc.
Subjects: Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Geography, History, Biology, Computer Studies etc
Buildings: Apartment Block, Bridge, Garage, Pet Shop, Skyscraper, Tunnel, Church etc
Jobs: Policeman, Receptionist, Nurse, Doctor, Plumber, Painter, Teacher, Electrician etc
Clothes: Skirt, Dress, Shirt, Trousers, Jeans, Shorts, T-Shirt, Jacket, Coat, Blouse etc
Animals: Sheep, Goat, Cow, Pig, Rabbit, Squirrel, Deer, Bear, Tiger, Elephant, etc
Places: Park, Office. Library, Supermarket, Shopping Centre, Restaurant, Classroom etc
Nature: the sun, rainbow, river, volcano, the moon, desert, stars, cliffs, forest etc
Computer: screen, mouse, charger, microphone, battery, keyboard, laptop, plug. etc
Transport: train, plane, boat, car, bike, van, scooter, motorbike, helicopter etc
- Make the longest word you can. O N O M A T O P O E I A, E N C Y C L O P A E D I A, etc.
- Use subtitles in English when watching TV in English and note down words you don´t know to look up later.
- Learn Adjectives with their opposites: Pretty-Ugly, Fat-Thin, Tall-Short, Big-Small etc.
- Read in English downloading books on your tablet and underlining new words with a digital pen and noting down the meaning beside the new word.
- If you have a friend who is a native, ask him/her to correct your oral mistakes or explain a new word. Note it down.
- Be demanding on yourself. Never let a word you don´t understand slip you by. Look it up in a dictionary and memorise it.
- Use Language Apps at least ten minutes a day to learn new vocabulary such as Babbel, FluentU, Duolingo, Memrise etc.
- Use Visuals such as Post its, picture cards and pinning notes on notice boards in the place you most frequent in your house. Let it be your English Corner!