[28] How to effectively learn English - vocabulary tips

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Hello everyone!

Today I will share with you some of the tips and tricks I used to learn English and not to be afraid of using it;) It's not that uncommon, that people struggle with communication - they are afraid to speak their mind, they can't quickly respond to asked questions or describe things that surround them. Do you know this feeling when you can fluently say anything in your mind, but when it comes to saying it out loud, you just can't? If your answer is yes, you are welcome to use presented methods to overcome it!

Mini-dictionary:

uncommon - niezwykły, niespotykany

struggle - zmagać się z czymś

respond - odpowiadać, reagować

fluently - płynnie

overcome - przezwyciężyć

learn by heart - wykuć na pamięć

flashcards - fiszki

equivalent - zamiennik, odpowiednik

recall - przypomnieć sobie

pile - stosik

spare - zapasowy

effort - wysiłek

displayed - wyświetlony, pokazany

labelled - oznaczony

visible - widoczny

insurmountable - nie do przejścia, nie do pokonania

spot - zauważyć, wychwycić

fragile - delikatny

discouraged - zniechęcony

VOCABULARYObvious thing - you must learn words to be able to construct sentences. However, a big mistake that I've noticed is that teachers give students long lists of words and students are forced to learn them by heart. NO, it DOESN'T WORK this way. When you have a context, then you can make out the meaning from it or remember in what circumstances it was used. When you have an article about Christmas, it is much easier to learn Christmas vocabulary rather than when you have a list of mixed words from different areas of knowledge. You will probably remember only a few.

TIPS:

 

- make flashcards.

You can either make them yourself or buy them in a bookshop. What are they? Little pieces of paper on which sides you write a Polish word/phrase and its English translation. It helps you to memorize words very quickly and you can learn them freely and spontaneously. You look at one side with either polish or English word and recall its equivalent in another language. Then you turn it over and see if you were right. If you do, put it on top of one pile and if you don't, on top of another. This way you know which words you still need to work on and which you know perfectly. Making flashcards yourself is time-consuming, however you can store them in your...

 

- vocabulary box.

It's a great invention to store your flashcards, but also use them anytime you want! You can revise learnt vocabulary whenever you feel like it or have a spare moment. You can buy it, but you can as well use an old shoes box or any other cardboard box you have at home, cut out a hole in the top part, put some nice stickers or paper to make it pretty and here it is. Keep it on your window sill or a shelf above your desk, in a visible place and when you are watching TV or surfing the net, just put your hand inside and take a flashcard, see if you remember the word and put it back inside. It's as simple as that and very useful!

 

- list of words

When you don't find flashcards helpful enough to spend time on making them, you can try making a list of word. I know, you probably have it in your notebook or course book, but remember, rewriting things many time helps you memorize them much faster and much better. Make a clear, neat list with English words on one side and polish equivalents on the other side. This way you can cover one side and check if you remember the meaning and translation of them. It doesn't take too much time or effort and you can always take the list with you and revise vocabulary on the bus or when you have a free moment at school. You can also use a special notebook that is divided into special sections for words and their translations, and it's labelled with letters on the margin.

 

- online quizzes.

Yes, when you are simply lazy or have little time to revise, go online and find vocabulary quizzes! Put in google "polish english vocabulary test ... (chosen topic, i.e.: food, family, shop)". Usually it works similar to flashcards - a word is displayed and you have to write in given space its translation. Here are some examples of websites where you can find them:

iteslj.org/v/po

www.engoi.com/en/pl/index.html

mojetesty.pl/nauka/vocabulary/index.php

  

- word of the day

Try to add some fun to learning and whenever you see a word you like, make it your word of the day! You liked a word "insurmountable"? Try to use it as many times as possible, write it on a piece of paper and pin it to your corkboard or write at the back of your notebook. Then change it when you spot another word you like, i.e. fragile. Write it somewhere visible, stick it on your closet door or mirror and you will remember it very quickly, because it will be around you! Use colourful paper and black marker so you can remember it without thinking too much. You really will be surprised how well this method works - I still use it!

 

- talk aloud

It helps a lot when you hear yourself speaking. Think of what stops you from talking in your class - you speak to slowly? You don't like your voice? You can't relax or find a good word? Remember that when you know more, you feel better and more confident about your skills and therefore, you are not afraid of speaking. That's why practise learnt vocabulary at home first, speak aloud, construct sentences which contain those words and don't be discouraged by little mistakes or errors - everyone makes them and they are unavoidable in the process of learning. You can also go on English chat sites and practice writing first and then read out loud what you have just written - it will help you construct similar phrases and sentences in the future. Have you heard of omegle? Or talking in English on GG? Google them!

- practice! Books, magazines, articles
Try to use learnt vocabulary, find articles that are connected with the topic of words you learnt, read books or magazines in English, because this is the best and most proper way to learn new words, see how they can be used and they are given in the right context. Don't be afraid of not understanding everything and start with simple books. I'm sure that you can find a few in your school or public city library. If not, try looking up e-books online. There's nothing that can stop you :)

Ant the most important thing that you need to realise - learning DOES REQUIRE YOUR INVOLVEMENT. You always have to give first to see the outcome. So when you learn, do it properly - it will save your time, effort and will only motivate you to expand your knowledge. Everyone has its own favourite and most effective way of learning, so write in comments below which method you prefer or maybe there are new ones that I haven't heard of?
Good luck! :)