English for University Studies Summer School 2019

How to Learn Vocabulary


Discussion Questions

Is learning new vocab easy or difficult? Why?

Do you know what does  “čau” and “a robot” mean?

Is there a word from your language that is used in English?


Listening: Watch the video and take notes using the following numbers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmd74ivVTjg


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2000

millions

3

4



Speaking: Try to define explain and illustrate what is the Academic Word List.


Writing: Write a definition of the following words.


SIGN

SYMBOL

SYNONYM



Reading: Guess the meaning of the highlighted words. Are they important for understanding the text?


English has a large vocabulary with an estimated 250,000 distinct words and three times that many
distinct meanings of words. However, most English teachers will tell you that mastering the 3000
most common words in English will give you 90 to 95% comprehension of English newspapers, books,
movies, and conversations. In addition, with that size of a vocabulary, you'll easily be able to
learn from context to expand your vocabulary as you go. The important thing is choosing the right
words to learn so you gain comprehension quickly and don't waste time. One of the most effective
ways to prioritize your English vocabulary studies is to start with the most common words. Use a
dictionary or other online resources to look up the meanings of words you don't know. Flashcards,
either paper-based or online, are still one of the most effective ways to learn new words. The key
to memorizing English vocabulary is regular practice. Remember, although a native English speaker
has a vocabulary of 20,000 words or more, learning just 3,000 words is enough to understand most of
everyday English conversation and writing as long as you're working from the right list. To learn
English faster and more efficiently, focus on memorizing the most common vocabulary first, rather
than a haphazard collection of words that you are unlikely to use.

Writing: Write 10 tips for learning vocabulary using the following words.


READ             INVESTIGATE           BE       USE    EXPOSE       TAKE
CHECK          LISTEN            REVISE                      GUESS


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