Are you someone who always strives to improve your vocabulary? Learning new words can be tricky. Sure, reading more helps you get acquainted with several new words but can you really remember them and use them in your daily life? Perhaps not.

When you are on your journey to mastering a language, you naturally wish to expand your vocabulary. It doesn’t only improve our quality as a speaker but also expands our minds! 

Take a look at these practical ways to learn new words and use them in your conversations- 

1. Start with words that are relevant to your routine  

The main mistake people make while learning new words is to start with really difficult words.  This is not suggested by experts because if that word is not relevant to your routine, it’s unlikely that it’ll stick in your mind. Especially if you are a beginner to a language, start with words you will actually use in your daily life. For instance, if you want to mention that you were surprised by someone’s reaction, you could say that you were stunned or startled by their reaction. 

1. Go Old School With Synonyms and Antonyms 

One of the best ways to expand your vocabulary is to try the synonym-antonym method. Every time you hear or read a new word, look up some of its synonyms ( words that have a similar meaning as your original word ), and its antonyms ( words that mean opposite to your original word ). This trick helps you develop a link between multiple words which is why you learn them easily!  

1. Play Word Games like Scrabble 

Frequently playing word games like scrabble or crossword puzzles helps you get familiar with new words. The more you play, the more you get used to learning and remembering new words. Who doesn’t want a good combination of learning and playing?  

1. Never go wrong with mnemonics 

Mnemonics is a tried and tested method to memorize new things in almost all fields. The trick is to establish a connection or an idea with what you want to learn. If you are having trouble remembering a word, maybe associate it with a joke or memory of when you first heard/read it. You can also try to create a full form which is easy for you to remember, using the spelling of the word as an abbreviation. 

1. Be Curious and Creative

Lastly, never stop being curious! The new words you hear in videos, shows, and films or read in newspapers, books, or articles are opportunities for your expansion in vocabulary! Get curious about them. Look them up on the internet or in the dictionary. How can you be creative with them? Maybe build sentences around them that are relevant to your routine, or use them in conversations. 

Hopefully, these tips will get you rolling on a valuable and interesting vocabulary journey. Keep learning and feel free to reach out to https://www.tuitly.com/ for personalized spoken English training!