Have you considered expanding your vocabulary? Learning a foreign language can be both rewarding and educational. It can give you knowledge and information on it and introduce the culture behind it too! For students aspiring to attend Ivy League Prep Programs, strong communication skills are absolutely crucial. Access to an impressive vocabulary is imperative to clear and precise verbal and written expression!
Building a solid vocabulary is particularly crucial for crafting standout essays. The uniqueness and persuasiveness of your writing can significantly influence your application. Though expanding your vocabulary has its challenges, it is worth the effort. Here are ten expert tips to elevate your vocabulary:
Tips To Improve Your Vocabulary
The following tips should help improve your vocabulary.
1- Start Early to Maximize Learning Time
When working on vocabulary for the test, keep the last date in mind. You may take an ISEE in November, an SAT Test in December or, according to SAT test dates, an English class quiz this Friday. Despite the circumstances, give yourself as much time as possible. Avoid cramming at all costs. Add 30 minutes of study to your daily routine. Don’t just focus on studying the course material but make reading a regular habit in your daily routine. Reading classics and even modern literature will help you learn several new words, synonyms, and usage with the context. We will suggest some prominent books to enhance your vocabulary improvement:
- Lost in Translation: An Illustrated Compendium of Untranslatable Words by Ella Frances Sanders
- Shakespearean Plays (specifically Hamlet recommended)
- Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
- Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin
- Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift
- The Meaning of Everything by Simon Winchester
- Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis
- Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
- Charlotte’s Web by E. B. White
You will soon notice that you remember more quickly and for a longer duration! With this positive approach, you will make learning vocabulary part of your daily life. It will result in increased performance on tests or exams!
2- Understand the Roots of Words
Understanding the root of words is also helpful in building a solid vocabulary. A large number of English words share a common root, suffix, and prefix that will help you understand the meaning of the word. For example, in words like “benefit” or “benevolent,” the root “bene” means “good” or “well.” In words like “biology” or “biography,” the root “bio” means “life.” understanding these roots will help you understand other related words quickly and expand your knowledge.
3- Develop Word Associations
Different words are associated with the same meaning. With the word association, it is easier to recall the word or related word. It will result in expanding your vocabulary. For example, “ocean” can be associated with words like “beach, sand, and waves.” Similarly, the word vacation can be related to “relaxation, ‘beaches, resorts, and tropical.” By creating a network of related terms, you can enhance your vocabulary. Start with a word, then branch out into associated words. In addition to memorizing vocabulary, this method helps you understand each term in context.
4- Join A Writing Class to Improve Your Language Skills
Going for the writing class is a great way to improve your vocabulary. Also it will improve your writing skills as well. These skills will be helpful in your academic career as well. Writing classes are available online and also offered by adult educational institutions. You will have to write assignments and tests that will be helpful in boosting your communication skills through writing. Completing the writing class with all of its tasks completed will help you learn new words while expanding your vocabulary.
5- Learn The Words With the Same Meanings
When working on your vocabulary, pay attention to the importance of synonyms. These are the words with similar meanings. Such as “Sad” is similar to “Gloomy”. For this purpose, you should create a list of words with similar meanings. Incorporating them in your conversation in writing will help you expand your knowledge about the language. Also, knowing the best version of the word can enrich your essay-writing experience. Take a word as simple as “Happy.” Instead of using it, using alternates like “Joyful, elated, or content” can change the look of the sentence. You are sure to stand out with your essay-writing talent.
6- Learning Practical Terms And Words
Some terms or words have entirely different meanings and use cases in other industries and fields. In your academic or professional life, you’re going to encounter a lot of such practical terms. This can be confusing if you are getting to know them for the first time. Try to improve your vocabulary by incorporating these technologies. As an Ivy Tutor, this will help you to have better communication skills. It is important to prioritize terms related to your field of study or interest. For example, if you are going to study law, you should get familiar with legal terminologies. You’ll retain more vocabulary if you learn words relevant to your daily life or career.
7- Revise New Vocabulary Regularly
Regularly revising new words will help you improve your vocabulary. If you want to expand your knowledge, then learning more than once is required for better outcomes. You should memorize and revise the new words so they will stick to your vocabulary. Review new words every day or every week. Keep track of your words with flashcards, apps, or a vocabulary journal. Keeping your vocabulary strong with regular revision helps reinforce the words in your memory.
8- Learn From Context
Learning from the context is the most natural way to learn new words. You can enhance your vocabulary by understanding the context of any unfamiliar words. When you find a new word in a sentence then check the surrounding words or understand the overall theme of the sentence. You will not only learn the meaning but will also learn how to properly use the word in a sentence. The more you practice, the easier it will be to learn new words.
9- Use New Vocabulary Consistently to Retain Its Meaning
“Use It or Lose It” is key for improving vocabulary skills. Use them in conversations or essays/reports regularly so they become natural to you. Otherwise, you run the risk of forgetting them altogether! When words become part of everyday conversations or reports, they will quickly become easier for you all, and you will be less likely to forget them.
10- Edit What You Write
Editing after completing your essays, Emails, or assignments can significantly improve your vocabulary. Once you are done writing, take your time to read and edit. There can be repeated words, phrases, or technologies. You can replace those words with more precise alternatives that will polish your writing. You can also understand the patterns in your writing while editing. You may be over-relying on certain words or terms in your writing. While editing, you can make an effort to replace them and diversify your vocabulary.
Vocabulary Improvement For Ivy League Aspirants
Having an impressive and rich vocabulary is crucial for Ivy League Prep Programs. The improved vocabulary will impact your score on both reading skills and essay sections. With improved vocabulary, students can have better verbal and written communication which is essential for academic success. Students with rich vocabulary can convey their ideas in a more precise and concise manner. This contributes to clarity and persuasiveness in their essays and interviews.
With a rich vocabulary, you can appear to be well-read, educated, and intellectually capable in your essays. These are the traits that admission officers often seek in their candidates. Engaging words is an easy and creative way to add excitement and intrigue to your story and hold readers’ interest for longer. Your writing will retain the reader’s interest if you have a rich vocabulary.
Bottom Line
An improved vocabulary is a gradual process. You will need consistent effort and practice to improve and expand your vocabulary. The whole process is worth the effort. Using different techniques and tricks to memorize and incorporate your newly learned words can benefit you in the long run. This post contains tips that will help you improve your vocabulary. Follow them thoroughly and if you have your own techniques, incorporate them accordingly. Get as much exposure to English as you can. Communicate with other people in English whenever you can.
