Tips for Improving English Vocabulary of English as Second Language (ESL) Learners

Advice on how to improve English vocabulary is especially important for people who are using English as their second language. As global boundaries are slowly being negated due to the advances in technology and communication, most graduates in non-English speaking countries will find themselves interacting with bosses, co-workers or customers who have English as their primary language. A good English vocabulary is also useful in social situations when ESL (English as a Second Language) learners find themselves interacting with either a visiting native English-speaking visitor or a fellow citizen who is well-travelled and well-educated. Below are simple tips on how to improve English vocabulary for ESL learners:

• Have a pocket dictionary or thesaurus handy. Whenever you encounter a new English word either in conversations or through the media, you can easily check its definition and contextual usage. Although a pocket dictionary or thesaurus has a limited number of words than a more comprehensive one, it does contain the most common English words used in daily life.
• As soon as you have found out the meaning of a new word, practice using it immediately. This will integrate the word into your existing vocabulary of English words, further making it grow. Practice writing it as well so that you will remember not only its correct spelling, but also its meaning. Learn to be comfortable with the new word and integrate it into your life as you compose emails, post blogs, write in your journal and other writing tasks.
• Know that in the English language, you can say something in different ways hence a synonym to a word. Conversely, a word can also have its direct opposite in meaning, which is an antonym. Knowing this can enrich your English vocabulary and understand the relationship of words towards one another better.
• A good advice on how to improve English vocabulary is by reading whatever material you can find in English. This gives you an idea of how words are best used in their appropriate context.