Learning to speak English well is a journey that involves many steps. One of the most important parts of this journey is building a strong vocabulary. Knowing a lot of words, especially the ones we use in everyday conversations, is fundamental to speaking English fluently and confidently.
Why is vocabulary so important? And how you can improve it to boost your speaking skills?
First, having a good vocabulary helps you express your ideas and feelings more clearly. If you don’t know enough words, it’s hard to say what you want to say. For example, imagine trying to describe your favourite food without knowing the words for different tastes and textures. It would be frustrating! The more words you know, the easier it is to communicate your thoughts and emotions.
But vocabulary doesn’t just help with speaking. It also makes you a better listener. When you know more words, you can understand what others are saying more easily. Listening well is actually a great way to learn new words. When you hear new words in conversations, on YouTube or on the radio, you can learn them by paying attention to how they are used. Studies show that good listening skills help you pick up new vocabulary faster, which in turn makes you a better speaker.
How can you improve your vocabulary? One effective method is to use different instructional approaches. For example, sometimes it’s helpful to have explanations of new words in your native language (L1) as well as in English (L2). This technique, called codeswitching, helps you understand and remember new words better. It’s especially useful for beginners who may struggle with learning new words in English only.
For more advanced students, consistent and repeated exposure to authentic material in various forms (written, spoken) is more important. Inferring the meaning from the context or looking up words in an English dictionary (rather than translating) is a better way to go. In both cases, however, starting to incorporate the new words when you practice speaking (or thinking!) helps new words become part of your active vocabulary.
Technology can also help you learn new words. Using language learning apps on your phone can give you more opportunities to practice. These apps often include games and quizzes that make learning new words fun and engaging. They can also help you practice speaking and listening, which are both important for building your vocabulary.
Another tip is to read and listen to English as much as possible. Try to read books, watch movies, and listen to podcasts in English. This will expose you to new words in different contexts, helping you understand how they are used. Plus, it makes learning more enjoyable!
While just learning new vocabulary isn’t all there is to a language, building a strong vocabulary is essential for improving your English speaking skills. It helps you express yourself clearly and understand others better. Using different methods, such as codeswitching, language learning apps and especially listening to and reading authentic material, can make learning new words easier and more fun. So, keep at it, keep practicing a little every day, and soon you’ll find it easier to speak English with confidence!
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Sources
Alqarni, N. (2018). The Relationship between Vocabulary Knowledge and Listening Comprehension of Saudi EFL Learners. Arab World English Journal, 9(1), 398-411. https://dx.doi.org/10.24093/awej/vol9no1.28.
Teng, M. F. (2023). Working memory and prior vocabulary knowledge in incidental vocabulary learning from listening, reading, reading-while-listening, and viewing captioned videos. Studies in Second Language Acquisition, 45(2), 301-328
Uchihara, T., & Clenton, J. (2020). The role of spoken vocabulary knowledge in second language speaking proficiency. The Modern Language Journal, 104(2), 533-550. https://doi.org/10.1111/modl.12643
Uchihara, T., Saito, K., Kurokawa, S., Takizawa, M., & Suzukida, Y. (2023). Individual differences in L2 listening proficiency revisited: Roles of form, meaning, and use aspects of phonological vocabulary knowledge. Studies in Second Language Acquisition, 45(2), 301-328. Zhang, P., & Graham, S. (2020). Learning vocabulary through listening: The role of vocabulary knowledge and listening proficiency. Language Learning, 70(4), 1023-1053. https://doi.org/10.1111/lang.12411