English vocabulary is huge. So many words. Learning those words, you need, does not need to be difficult. Common sense, and an imagination, can make the process so much easier. As adult learners we have an advantage over young children. Using natural English techniques is the future of language learning.
So what vocabulary do I need to learn?
I do not know as it is different for everyone. That is why an online native speaking teacher is so important. The words you need to learn are the words you will use the most. The words for work, play and vocation are all different for each individual. One on one lessons with a native speaker gives you the cultural and historical understanding to use those words. A deeper ability to use vocabulary correctly based on the conversations you have or the writing you do when you connect with others.
Before we look at specific words let's look at how those words are pronounced. Most teachers do not teach this. Learning the phonetic sounds of each letter of the alphabet helps you pronounce each word correctly without the need to have a teacher. Something that can be learnt in less than a week can be used for the rest of your life.
Learning the phonetics, of the language you are learning, is the best value for money when learning any phonetic based language.
Nouns, verbs, adjectives and adverbs.
This is where many people will disagree with me but language does not need to be expensive to learn.
The expensive course at the language school is not necessary. Learning nouns, verbs, adjectives and adverbs, first, gives you the ability to communicate with others with very few words in your vocabulary. I had to learn my Thai on the streets. No school, just me, a few friends and common sense. First we learnt the phonetics of the Thai alphabet. Within a week we could read 80% of the signs we saw in the street. By looking at the shops in the malls and reading the signs we were able to learn a lot of new words quickly. Next we learnt nouns and how to describe them. This allowed us to connect with the local people with very few words of Thai. We then learnt to write. Asian symbols are swirls and really feel good when writing them.
The best source of any language learner is the native speaker. The friend you met just because you took the chance to use a new language. The mistakes you make are offset by the respect you earn from the local people for taking the time to learn a few words of their language.
As you read more sentences, and listen to your new friends, you start to pick up the grammar rules of that language. The vocabulary of grammar can then be added to your skills.
Just tell me what words to learn!
Sorry I cannot. That will depend on your friends and the things you do together. Your own vocation, those things you love to do, will also lead you to read articles in the language you are learning. The more you read the more vocabulary you learn.
Joining a local club, with the same vocation as yourself, will then give you the connection to the culture behind the vocabulary you are learning. Giving you a deeper understanding of language. Pour yourself into the culture and see how quickly you are speaking using an interesting and varied vocabulary. This is so much more rewarding than any certificate you obtained from a language school.
Learning new vocabulary for work.
This can be much harder depending on how much you enjoy your job. Learning about the things that do not interest us can be boring. At the same time having no job and not being able to travel is much worse. To progress in any career it is important to know your company, know your boss and the work culture of the organisation you are working for. As you have already achieved your ability to read then the company website is full of vocabulary you will need to impress and move up the corporate ladder. Websites about your chosen profession can give enormous amounts of new vocabulary. Your ability to pronounce words correctly, because you learnt the phonetics, gives you the chance to learn and practice without making mistakes in front of the boss or work colleagues.
What about if I am not living in the country but wish to learn the language before I arrive?
This is why a native speaking teacher is so important. We can set scenarios based on the situations you may face when you arrive in the country of your choice. Many of my own students tell me the subjects, and knowledge, they want to learn about. It is up to me to set lessons my students can practice using new vocabulary they will need to achieve the goals they have set for themselves.
Vocabulary is your choice so own and be proud of what you learn.
What I have described in this article is very similar to our natural method of learning a language. Our first words, as a child, are usually nouns and we then learn to describe them. We then copy our mums and dads when starting to add grammar.
As adult learners we have an advantage over children. We can learn the phonetics of the alphabet first. Giving us the power to learn what we want to learn and not what the teacher tells us. The online native speaking teacher guides us to and into the culture of the knowledge we seek.
Have fun!
