How to Improve Your English Vocabulary for Better Fluency
Native and proficient English speakers naturally use a wide range of vocabulary, and this is often why some English learners have difficulty in understanding spoken English.
So, broadening your English vocabulary is essential if you want to feel more confident and communicate more fluently.
Benefits of improving your English vocabulary
Some benefits of having a richer vocabulary base include:
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The ability to understand people better
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Feeling more confident to speak about a range of topics
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Being able to watch and understand English films and TV
Just to mention a few!
What vocabulary should you learn?
Now this will obviously vary quite a lot depending on your existing knowledge, why you are learning and what your interests are, but as a general rule of thumb, it is a good idea to learn vocabulary from as many different areas as possible.
This way, you will be prepared to talk about a variety of different topics, giving you confidence in more situations.
Phrasal verbs and idioms
Another good area of vocabulary to learn is phrasal verbs and idioms. Both of these are commonly used by advanced English speakers, and they can be particularly challenging to understand when you have not encountered them before.
Plus, they are both notoriously challenging to learn, so any extra practice will always be beneficial.
Informal language and natural conversation
Something else to learn from could be informal dialogues and natural conversation. These are particularly good for learning informal language, small talk and everyday conversation.
This is definitely an area that is overlooked when studying English, yet arguably, is one of the most important for real communication.
What is the best way to learn new vocabulary?
The most important aspect of learning new vocabulary is that you do it in a complete way. This means that the end result is not only that you understand the meaning of the word, but that you are also confident enough to use it.
It usually takes around 10 separate encounters with a word or expression before you really remember it, so it is important that all new vocabulary is learnt through repetition and relatable examples.
FAQ
How long does it take to improve English vocabulary?
It usually takes repeated exposure to remember new words. Most learners need to encounter a word around 10 times before they can confidently use it.
What is the fastest way to learn English vocabulary?
The fastest way is learning words in context through conversation, listening and repetition rather than memorising isolated word lists.
Should I learn idioms and phrasal verbs?
Yes! They are essential for understanding native speakers and sounding natural in conversation.
Next step
If you want structured practice using new vocabulary in conversation, you can explore my online English classes here:
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