The best way to improve your English vocabulary

Summary

This video emphasizes the importance of regular listening and reading in building vocabulary and improving English skills. The speaker highlights that while many people know the benefits of learning vocabulary in context, they often fail to make it a habit. The video explains how such practices foster intuition, improve brain power, and enhance cognitive functions crucial for speaking English fluently. Additionally, the speaker shares personal experience, stressing the necessity of this approach for non-native speakers, especially those not living in English-speaking countries.

Takeaways

• 😀 The best way to improve your vocabulary is by learning in context, through regular listening and reading.
• 😀 Common sense (learning vocabulary in context) is often not applied by most people.
• 😀 Many people waste time on distractions like social media and videos, instead of focusing on language improvement.
• 😀 If you're already listening and reading regularly, you're on the right track and don’t need to watch this video.
• 😀 The first benefit of regular listening and reading is developing 'intuition' — the ability to choose the correct answer without reasoning.
• 😀 Intuition comes from absorbing a lot of input (listening and reading) and not from memorizing isolated words.
• 😀 Memorizing words without context doesn’t allow for practical use — knowing how words are used is just as important as knowing their meanings.
• 😀 By listening and reading regularly, you improve not just vocabulary, but also grammar, sentence structure, and other language skills.
• 😀 The second benefit is increased brain power — regular mental exercise strengthens cognitive functions like memory, attention, and comprehension.
• 😀 Regular listening and reading can significantly enhance your ability to speak English well, as it strengthens memory, attention, and auditory processing.

Q & A

What is the best way to improve your vocabulary according to English teachers?

The best way to improve vocabulary is by learning words in context through regular listening and reading.

Why is improving vocabulary through context considered the best method?

Learning vocabulary in context helps you understand how words are used, improving not just vocabulary but also grammar and sentence structure.

What is intuition in language learning?

Intuition in language learning is the ability to recognize the correct usage of grammar or vocabulary without explicitly knowing the rule behind it, which comes from regular exposure to the language.

What is the problem with memorizing vocabulary lists?

Memorizing vocabulary lists without context may help you remember meanings, but it doesn't teach you how to use the words in real-life situations, which is essential for effective communication.

What benefits does regular listening and reading provide for language learners?

It helps develop intuition, improves brain function, enhances memory, and boosts cognitive abilities that are necessary for speaking the language fluently.

How does listening and reading improve brain power?

Listening and reading are great mental exercises that help improve attention, memory, processing speed, and even intelligence by challenging the brain to process new information regularly.

Why is improving brain power important for language learners?

A strong brain is essential for language learning, especially when speaking. It supports functions like memory, attention, auditory processing, and reasoning, all of which are necessary for effective spoken English.

What is the connection between brain exercise and speaking English well?

Speaking English requires a lot of cognitive effort, including attention, memory, and auditory processing. Regular mental exercises like listening and reading strengthen these abilities, making it easier to speak English fluently.

Can language learners improve their English if they are not in an English-speaking country?

Yes, even without being in an English-speaking country, regular listening and reading in English can serve as an effective way to immerse oneself in the language and improve proficiency.

What role does context play in language learning?

Context allows learners to understand how words and phrases are used naturally in speech and writing, helping them remember and use vocabulary appropriately in real situations.