How to Expand your English Vocabulary

If you are an non-native speaker English speaker, you may say to yourself:

“I want to express myself better in English”

“I want to be able to talk in English about a wide range of topics”

“I want to converse easily in English in social situations”

Great objectives but how can you set about achieving them?

One way to start is by improving and extending your English vocabulary.

Vocabulary is not just a list of words.
It is the raw material that you use to explain ideas, to answer a question, to express feelings. Without sufficient vocabulary, you will be very limited in what you can say. And this will also impact on how confidently you say it.

Rather than memorising lists of words, think of learning words and expressions in context.

Below are three tips for doing so.

Learn vocabulary in themes

Words are far easier to remember and use when they are connected.

Instead of learning individual words, group them by topic or situation — for example family members, food types, means of travel.

“I can travel by car, by train, by bus or by plane. I can go on a motorbike or on a bicycle. Or maybe I will walk.”

"What a delicious range of foods! Meat and fish, seafoods and shellfish, crusty bread and rolls, luscious fruits

and vegetables, and to cap it all, wine from the best vineyards. Yum, yum. “

This helps you build a mental map of language that you can access more easily in real-life situations.

Read for meaning, not for perfect understanding

Reading is one of the most natural ways to expand vocabulary and is an enjoyable way of learning but only if the material is at the right level. Choose texts that interest you and challenge you a little — not those that bore or exhaust you!

You do not need to understand every word. Focus on meaning, notice useful expressions, and return to a small number of new words later. Over time, this builds familiarity and confidence.

Use writing as a learning tool

Writing is another great way to put vocabulary into use and to retain it longer. A simple approach is free-flow writing: write down your thoughts in English without worrying too much about structure or accuracy.

This could be a reflection on a meeting, a recent travel experience, or an idea that is seeking expression. The aim is not perfection but allowing what you already know to reveal itself. Reread what you wrote and you could be pleasantly surprised.

Try This Today

Find a short YouTube video clip, 3 to 5 minutes long. This could be from an English TV series such as Downton Abbey, The Big Bang Theory or any other that you enjoy.

• Watch and listen to the clip without subtitles.

• Watch and listen again with subtitles.

• Make a note of new words or expressions. Write them down.

• Listen again to the clip and note how those words and expressions are used.

Engaging actively in this way for just 15 minutes a day will help you extend your vocabulary and improve your knowledge and use of English.

Originally published in the Communicate with Confidence LinkedIn newsletter