Where will English take you?

Category: Learning Center

How To Learn New Vocabulary

You have a pretty decent quotidian vocabulary. Why should you learn new words?

With every new word you have new nuances and subtleties that give life to your verbal expression. A robust vocabulary enables you to describe and employ words to suit your every mood.

There are many approaches to learning new vocabulary. I believe the most effective approach is natural, organic acquisition. It typically takes multiple exposures to a new word in context before it begins to register on your vocabulary radar.

What I aim to do with the Advanced Vocabulary posts is expose you to words that you may or may not hear in everyday conversations. Let’s work with these words to understand what they mean and how to use them.

Daily I introduce new vocabulary. You can subscribe to get posts delivered to your inbox, or search this site for a word you recently heard or read. Write a sentence using the word in the comments on that word’s post. I will provide feedback and corrections, so that you may learn by doing, and also gain the benefit of other students’ practice sentences and respective feedback. By creating your own sentences you engage with the new word as an active learner. This yields the highest payoff to you.

Integrating more complex vocabulary words into your lexicon gives you more mastery of the English language and boosts your English level beyond the rudimentary.

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What Are Proverbs & Why Should You Learn Them?

Proverbs exist in every language. They are short, pithy expressions that impart some pearl of wisdom or advice. Proverbs are often metaphorical, and sum up known common sense or beliefs.

Proverbs are important to learn because they offer rich cultural context and insight into the minds of the people using the language, in this case English speakers, and specifically American English speakers.

For example, the proverb Money doesn’t grow on trees reveals a cultural belief that money isn’t simply there for the taking, like fruit on a tree. Instead, you must work hard to earn it.

Proverbs are quite commonly used in modern English. I estimate that I hear someone use a proverb in conversation at least once daily, if not more. Sometimes the proverb is modified slightly to address a specific situation, but most often they are used as is.

A proverb may also be called a saying, adage, aphorism, motto, axiom, dictum, precept, epigram, truism, or chiché.

Listen for how native speakers incorporate proverbs into their conversations, and especially pay attention to context and cultural references. Often the native speaker is saying a whole lot more than just the surface words of the proverb. Using proverbs, they are conveying deeply held beliefs, and in some cases judgment. At times proverbs are employed merely as commentary about some situation. Listen for proverb use by native speakers and notice how often you hear them, you might be surprised!

Learn some proverbs and use them when the opportunity arises. Not only are they fun, they will boost your English level and add dynamism and another layer of meaning to your speaking.

A proverb I personally like to apply to my approach to language learning is There is always room for improvement. So don’t stop learning now! Subscribe to Go Places English for more lessons and special offers.

What proverbs do you know in English or your native language? Write them in the comments!

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