How to Improve Vocabulary and Word Skills
Fun Strategies for Increasing Vocabulary and Language Skills
Feb 17, 2008
With modern language tending ever increasingly towards abbreviations and acronyms, it is sometimes necessary to make a deliberate effort to develop a diverse vocabulary. Being able to write and speak well with a mastery of language can assist with presentation skills and public speaking. Fortunately, there are a variety of entertaining ways to do this without resorting to arduous study routines or monotonous drills.
Read Extensively
Many language skills, including vocabulary and grammar rules, are learned subconsciously from materials that are read. By reading a variety of genres and styles, readers expose themselves to a broader range of vocabulary.
A membership at a local library provides opportunities to sample a wide range of authors and writing styles, including fiction and non-fiction books and magazines. Librarians are generally only too happy to recommend alternative authors and new release books when asked.
Encourage children to read from a young age and provide them with a variety of age-appropriate books, including classics. Teaching children to be adventurous in their reading habits early on will provide the foundation for future years. School-aged and younger children will often enjoy reading non-fiction books written about subjects that interest them.
Use a Dictionary or Thesaurus
When unfamiliar words are encountered while reading, look them up. It is a simple task to look up a reference book to check a word definition or find an alternative for a common, overused word. Books such as the Reader’s Digest Reverse Dictionary are cross-referenced to assist readers to locate a word that remains ‘on the tip of the tongue’, tantalisingly out of reach.
Language is an ever-evolving entity. Online reference resources eliminate the need for a bookshelf full of bulky reference books that become outdated over time. Websites such as dictionary.com and thesaurus.com provide up-to-date information almost instantly with the added bonus of audible pronunciation guides and etymology for many words.
Play Word Games and Puzzles
There are a wide variety of word games and puzzles suitable for individual or group play that develop vocabulary and language skills.
Crosswords, code-crackers, word finds and a variety of other word puzzles can be enjoyed at any time. Puzzle books are available at most newsagents and are not generally very expensive. Alternatively, there is a wide range of websites that offer free online crosswords and free word games. Most puzzle books fit easily into a bag or handbag and are fantastic for filling in time on public transport or waiting rooms.
Boggle, Scrabble, Upwords and similar are great for wordplay games with a group of people. Forming words with a set number of letters in a restricted time limit can be challenging. Other games such as Taboo and Scattegories focus more on communication skills and understanding the meaning of words.
Why Bother Improving Language Skills?
While many teenagers remain of the opinion that studying novels and language are pointless pursuits and a waste of time at best, it is nevertheless true that being able to communicate clearly remains a vital element of most occupations and general, everyday life. Actively pursuing a broader vocabulary and better language skills improves communication skills and keep the mind active.
Related articles: Antonym, Synonym, Homonym, Acronym; Word Games for Children
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