Building Vocabulary Technique

Five steps to build up your vocabulary


By Gabriela S. Alonso




Introduction

Building your vocabulary is an important but hard task to achieve. Sometimes, reading is not that effectivebecause the new words that you encounter have no relationship with each other. However, studying well-organized groups of related words can help you to improve your vocabulary successfully. Thistechnique is based on grouping the words that have a connection between each other into different categories. Putting this method into practise will help you not only to enlarge your vocabulary, but alsoto develop your reading comprehension skills.

Steps to Follow
1. When you are reading a text, underline the words that you do not know. Try to recognise the meaning of the word in the context ofthe sentence. Using the context helps you to deduce the meaning of the word. If you still do not get it, use your dictionary.
2. Read the text again and look for related words, words that have arelationship between each other. Organise them into groups by category and make a list of the words in the basic form.
3. Continue the list adding words that you already know.
4. Write sentences usingthe words from the list. You could include several words in the same sentence.
5. Use your new vocabulary as soon as possible in appropriate situations such as class discussions, writing papers,letters and chats with friends.

Example
“KANATA”
Many stories have been told about the origin, or source, of the name “Canada.” One of the most often quoted involves Jacques Cartier, a Frenchsailor and explorer, who visited the eastern shores of Canada in 1534, searching for gold and other riches. He found no gold but traded tools and other goods for furs with the Micmac in Charleur Bay.Soon after, in the Bay of Gaspé, he met people from the Iroquoian village of Stadacona who had come on a fishing trip. The Iroquois chief, Donnacona, and Cartier had difficulty communicating with each...