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Answers to Readers' Questions on Writing:
Vocabulary
The following 11 comments and questions have been sent in. They are listed according to date.
List of first 10 items
- My mother's vocabulary is much better than mine
- Wants to increase her vocabulary for ESL
- Helping an adult learner with writing
- Does knowing more words help in language?
- Reading with professional vocabulary
- Wants to improve vocabulary
- Is good vocabulary necessary?
- Wants to improve for SATS
- Wants to improve English
- Importance of English vocabulary
My mother's vocabulary is much better than mine
Question
January 25, 2008
my mum's vocabs are 100 times good than mine, though i've high level education degrees than her. i don't seem to understand how? though she would always urge me to keep reading anytime i'd this issue.
thaddeus - Ghana
15213
Answer
Some people are better in certain areas than others. My mother was good with numbers but not with words. On the other hand, my father had a good vocabulary but was not good in arithmetic.
Although reading can help you improve your vocabulary, what is really needed is to pay attention to words--especially those you don't understand. When you hear intelligent people talk, make sure you understand the words they use. You can even keep a notebook to write down a word to look up later.
The motivation for having a good vocabulary is that people often judge others by how well they speak or write. That does not mean using long or difficult words. Instead, it means using words correctly.
Listen to your mother when she talks and learn from her vocabulary.
Wants to increase her vocabulary for ESL
Question
July 22, 2006
Hi, my name is Clara and i'm a college student currently. English is not my first language and i started to learning it from scratch in grade 9 highschool from ESL classes. Ever since i been collecting new vocabularies, highlighting words in books, newspapers, etc. but after looking up each word's definition after a while i seem to have forgot lots of these words. So i just need some suggestions if i'm doing the right thing to improve my english skills and understanding. thank you very much
Clara - USA
11528
Answer
It is not unusual to forget words you have seen only once, even though you have looked up the definition. Some words are not commonly used, so if you forget them, it is not a big deal. If you have to look up a word a second time, it is good, because the word is used more often and should stick in your memory.
When you write papers or do homework in school, you may often have several sentences where you have written the same word. In such a case, it is good to look up the synonyms of the word and use a different word for it. Like in the previous sentence, you could look up "word" and replace the second one with "expression" or something similar. The Thesaurus in MS Word is handy for doing this. In my opinion, doing that is the best way to build your vocabulary.
I hope these ideas help.
Helping an adult learner with writing
Question
December 19, 2005
How can I help an adult reader with writing. I cannot get him to write an essay. he can't bring the words to paper. He has passed all areas on the GED test except for writing!
Charmane - USA
9424
Answer
Perhaps he can try our "Aid for Writing a Speech" at:
http://www.school-for-champions.com/writing/speechaid.htm
or he can use our "Air for Writing a Book Report" at:
http://www.school-for-champions.com/writing/bookreport.cfm (note: it ends in cfm)
Both will help him put ideas on paper. Tell him to start out with something really simple. Often people are afraid they have to write too much. It is best to start with one idea and example before getting to more complex essays.
Another idea is to let him speak his idea into a tape recorder. Some people are better verbalizing than writing. Then he can listen to the tape and try to write down some of his thoughts.
I hope these ideas help. Let me know how things turn out for him.
Does knowing more words help in language?
Question
October 9, 2005
Hi, my name is Daniel Reyes, I am a teacher of English a foreign language in Cuba. Several times I have heard some people saying that "The more words you know in a language, the better you know the language" is a misconception. I would like to hear other opinions about this statement. Thank you.
Daniel - Cuba
8466
Answer
I think it is important to have a good vocabulary in commonly used words in a language. But there is a point where increased vocabulary does not help you know the language any better. It seems to mainly be more impressive.
For example, in teaching your students English, it is important for them to learn the words commonly used in everyday conversation or writing. Also, it is important for them to learn the rules of grammar and the possible different sentence structures than are used in Cuba. If a student is going into a specialized field or wants to speak and read on a higher level, then those more difficult words can be learned. Note that the same is also true for English-speaking students, wishing to specialized.
An interesting area in teaching young people concerns the slang expressions used by young people in the other language. Most seem to pick up on those expressions on their own.
To answer your question, I feel that common vocabulary and rules of grammar are important in knowing a language, but specialized and more advanced words do not really help in "knowing the language."
Best wishes in your classes.
Reading with professional vocabulary
Question
October 4, 2005
i am using the interet in learn how reading with professionlly vocabulary and i need all the help i can get. thanks
saynab - Saudi Arabia
8383
Answer
Go to our section on Famous Speeches at:
http://www.school-for-champions.com/speeches.htm
The speeches have sound, so you can read along while listening to the words. This is a good way to learn to speak English better.
Wants to improve vocabulary
Question
July 10, 2005
I don't have very good vocabulary, but if I really try to learn the words, I
can't memorize them. That will effect my in writing, and I won't be in a gifted and talented class. Therefore, I'm in China now and my vocabulary is the best NOW. What should I do?
Alice - China
7508
Answer
The most important part of you vocabulary is to use words that other can understand. Some people with large vocabularies sound smart, but many people don't understand what they are talking about.
A good way to improve your vocabulary is to keep a small, pocket dictionary with you. When you are reading and run into a new word, you should look it up to see what it means. It is also a good idea to write down the word in a notebook of new words. Then try to use that word again in conversation or something you write. It is much easier to remember a word if you write it down and then use it.
Having that habit, you will gradually improve your vocabulary. Also note that you are learning words that are useful to you and not obscure words.
Best wishes in improving your vocabulary.
Is good vocabulary necessary?
Question
April 14, 2005
Hi
I am a 200l student of English in a federal university in Nigeria. My term paper for this semester is: 'the acquisition of a good vocabulary is neccessary in composition. Discuss'.
I need your help to enable me write an outstanding paper.
Thanks in anticipation.
emma - Nigeria
6652
Answer
Certainly a good vocabulary is important in being able to express your thoughts and ideas. The words must convey the message but they also should be such that the listener or reader can understand the meaning. Often people look at a good vocabulary as knowing long and difficult words. That makes them sound smart, even though no one can understand what is said or written. Soon people lose interest.
I hope those thoughts help you. Best wishes in your paper.
Wants to improve for SATS
Question
April 10, 2005
I think your website is very intresting! I would wonder if you would help me to improve my knowledge and voicabulary because i have got my sats in three weeks time and there is going to be a reading and WRITING TEST
Irim - UK
6613
Answer
I would like to help you, but right now we don't have any other lessons on vocabulary, reading or writing. Also, it is difficult to increase your skills in those areas in just 3 weeks.
But I am sure you will do well in the test. Best wishes in your success.
Wants to improve English
Question
July 24, 2004
would you please help me to find good way to improve my english reading and speking,iam sudanese from Khartoum.with high school digree
abdu - Sudan
3842
Answer
The more you can hear people speaking in everyday English, the easier it is to learn the meanings of the words. Of course, try to speak to people in English is also necessary. Some college courses force the students to only speak and write in English to get them used to the language.
Reading English-language magazines, newspapers and popular books, as well as things on the Internet, helps to improve your skills. Keep a translation dictionary handy to look up words and see their meaning in your native tongue.
Best wishes in improving your skills.
Importance of English vocabulary
Question
June 4, 2004
I would like your help, because I must write an essay about the importance of English vocabulary, if you have information, please send me to my e-mail.
Atte.
Matia Eugenia Quiñones
eugenia - BOLIVIA
3465
Answer
There are several issues here, and you should define which one to write about.
1. The essay can concern the importance of knowing the English language, bedsides your native tongue. This would include the importance in business and such.
2. You can write about the importance of a large vocabulary in English or any other language you speak.
3. Or you can write about the importance of learning proper grammar and use of English words.
Some references are: http://www.cs.tut.fi/~jkorpela/lingua-franca.html
http://www.lasylg.tln.edu.ee/Akursus/Intel/Tood7/Eng/
I hope that helps.
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