How to Learn Vocabulary on Your Own
A simple way to learn new words while reading or listening
Most English learners want to learn as many new words as possible to understand others quicker and to become more fluent English speakers. Learning new vocab out of context or by using Google Translate you won’t remember much, so here is a better method. To memorise more new words, work with a text or listen and learn this way.
3 steps for learning new vocabulary
Step 1: Find the general meaning
Think what is the main point of what you are reading or listening to.
Don’t worry about understanding every word. First, read or listen once and ask yourself: What is the main point?
Step 2: Read or listen again for more detail
Give yourself a task of finding some specific information, e.g. 2 – 3 facts about the characters in the story, what are the different points they are making, dates of events, what exactly happened and why.
Step 3: Select new words and find their meanings
Highlight those words that are new to you. If there are many, choose only some, 6 – 8 is a good number.
Based on the main point and the different points you saw above, can you see the likely meaning of the word or phrase from the context? You may be able to guess the meaning without checking it in a dictionary. If you can’t, we recommend you use an English-to-English dictionary such as Cambridge or MacMillan.
Example
Below is an extract from the beginning of ‘Pride and Prejudice’ by Jane Austen (one of the most famous English novelists). It is one of the most famous novels in the English language.
Here are your 3 tasks:
- What is the main point of the text?
- What are the different points in the paragraph?
- Finally, what do you think are the meanings of the six highlighted words?
Plot summary
Pride and Prejudice is set in England in the eighteenth century. Elizabeth Bennet has four sisters and the book follows their journeys to finding a husband. When Elizabeth first meets Mr Fitzwilliam D’Arcy, she instantly dislikes him. However, both Mr D’Arcy and Elizabeth have misunderstood each other…
Chapter 1
It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife. However little known the feelings or views of such a man may be on his first entering a neighbourhood, this truth is so well fixed in the minds of the surrounding families, that he is considered as the rightful property of some one or other of their daughters.
“My dear Mr. Bennet,” said his lady to him one day, “have you heard that Netherfield Park is let at last?”
Mr. Bennet replied that he had not.
“But it is,” returned she; “for Mrs. Long has just been here, and she told me all about it.”
Mr. Bennet made no answer.
“Do not you want to know who has taken it?” cried his wife impatiently.
“You want to tell me, and I have no objection to hearing it.”
This was invitation enough.
“Why, my dear, you must know, Mrs. Long says that Netherfield is taken by a young man of large fortune from the north of England; that he came down on Monday in a chaise and four to see the place, and was so much delighted with it that he agreed with Mr. Morris immediately; that he is to take possession before Michaelmas, and some of his servants are to be in the house by the end of next week.”
“What is his name?”
“Bingley.”
“Is he married or single?”
Vocab to learn
You could write the words down like this:
universally (adverb): of or related to the whole world
possession (noun): the owning or holding of something
well fixed (adjective): set firmly; will not be changed
let (adjective): rented out (British English)
chaise and four (noun): a carriage pulled by four horses
Michaelmas (noun): The Feast of St. Michael (29th Sept)
Summary
This is one way in which you can learn English on your own. Hopefully, you have understood the main point of the passage and you have a much deeper understanding of the way your new vocabulary is used in English. And finally, read and listen about things you are genuinely interested in. This way you will be able to focus better, learn longer and find the vocabulary you learn useful.