The Correct Way to Learn IELTS Vocabulary

The only way that you can learn new words and then use them properly is if you learn them from context, or in other words, from real sources of information, not lists.

Below is a 5 step plan to help you increase your range of vocabulary.

1.   Pick a book, TV show, radio show, podcast or magazine you are interested in. Don’t pick something boring because you will not stick to the plan and you will easily get distracted. People learn more effectively when they enjoy what they are doing.

2.   Buy a special notebook. It doesn’t have to be expensive, just something that you can write in every day.

3.   Read or listen to whatever you have chosen and pick out 15 words you don’t understand. Listen or read and try to guess what they mean from the context. (This step is very important because it will help you remember them.) Note the 15 new words down in your notebook.

4.   Look up the new words in a dictionary. You can do this online. Beside each word note the meaning, an example sentence or two, collocations, synonyms, antonyms, and pronunciation. You can also draw pictures; whatever will help you remember the word.

5.   Review the new words after one week, two weeks and then one month. Also, practice using the new words in a sentence.