T i p s & Tr i c k s
t o
Expand your
Vocabulary
English Vocabulary Level A2-B1
Class
Learning Objectives
1. 2. 3.
Explain the importance of Acquire and use accurately Demonstrate independence
developing a rich and general academic and in gathering vocabulary
extensive vocabulary in the domain-specific words and knowledge when
senior years of school and phrases, sufficient for considering a word or
list some strategies for reading, writing, speaking, phrase important to
extending one's vocabulary. and listening at the college comprehension or
and career readiness level. expression.
Let's warm up our
minds with a word
game!
Boggle
I T A S
Goal: Form as many words as
possible on the grid in 4 minutes.
M A S B
Rules: You can move from one letter
to another if it is a neighbour (in all
directions including diagonally). You
U O L E
cannot use the same letter twice in a
word.
Scoring: You get points for each word
E N G E
you write down (the more letters the
better!).
Categories Categorie List:
1. A country
2. A girl's name
Goal: Score as many points as
3. A food
possible by writing down a word for
each category starting with the chosen 4. An animal
letter. 5. A sport
6. An electrical appliance
Rules: You have two minutes! No
7. A word with double
speaking. You can't write the same
word twice. letters
8. A word to do with
Scoring: You get two points for a exercise
correct answer if no one else has the
9. A fictional character
same word. You get one point for a
10. A school item
The Importance of
Vocabulary
Why is vocabulary
important?
As the saying goes, 'the pen is mightier than the sword,'
and a vast vocabulary can be a powerful tool in any writer's
arsenal.
Investing time and effort into learning new words and their
meanings in year 11 and 12 can be a game-changer, paving
the way for your future success as you embark on your
college and career journeys!
Developing a rich and diverse vocabulary can help you
comprehend complex texts, express your thoughts more
clearly, enhance your critical thinking and communication
skills, boost your confidence and credibility in academic and
social situations and articulate your ideas with precision
and finesse.
General Academic Vocabulary
What
kind of The words and phrases commonly used across
different academic disciplines.
words They are often more complex and abstract in nature,
and may not be commonly used in everyday
might I conversation.
need
They are important for students to learn and
understand in order to effectively communicate and
comprehend academic texts and lectures.
to Examples of general academic vocabulary include
words such as analyze, hypothesis, evaluate, and
learn ? methodology.
Domain-Specifi c Vocabulary
What
The set of specialized terms and phrases that are
unique to a particular field, subject, or discipline. kind of
These terms are often technical in nature and may be
unfamiliar or have different meanings for individuals
words
outside of that domain.
might I
need
The use of this vocabulary helps to facilitate clear and
concise communication among experts in a particular
field.
Examples of domain specific vocabulary in English
include words such as imagery, interpretation, context,
to
and genre.
learn ?
Elevated Diction
What
kind of
Elevated diction refers to the use of formal,
sophisticated, and often complex language in writing
or speech.
words It is often used in literature, public speaking, or other
might I formal contexts where a more elevated tone is
appropriate.
need This type of language is characterized by its use of
ornate vocabulary, complex sentence structures, and
to literary devices such as metaphors, similes, and
allusions.
learn ? The goal of elevated diction is to convey a sense of
intellectual sophistication and mastery of language,
Quick Activity 1:
Instructions:
In groups of 2-3 students, create a brainstorm or mind-map of
domain specific words in English. You might choose to then
group the words into categories.
Questions:
• Do you think you could confidently provide a definition
for every term you've listed?
• Do you feel confident using every term you've listed in
your academic writing?
Quick Activity 2:
Instructions:
Go online and search for a list of general academic vocabulary.
Then, save this list on your device. As homework this week,
read through the list of terms and highlight the ones you might
use in English class.
Questions:
• Are there any words on the list that are completely
unfamiliar?
• Are there anywords on the list that you might use in
other disciplinary fields?
5 Ways to Expand
your General
Vocabulary
1. Read
Regularly
Reading a range of books, articles, and other
materials can expose you to new words and
phrases that you may not have come across.
Viewing new words in context, can help you
learn about their meanings and usage.
Additionally, reading helps us to understand the
nuances of language and how words can be
used in different ways.
This exposure to different styles of writing,
genres, and subjects can also expand our
vocabulary and help us to become more
articulate and expressive in our own writing and
speech.
2. Use Dictionary &
Thesaurus
It's a good idea to become an 'active reader' by keeping
your phone or laptop handy to search for and record new
words you discover. By regularly consulting these
resources, one can expand their vocabulary and develop a
more sophisticated writing style.
A dictionary provides definitions, pronunciations, and
examples of how a word is used in context. This not only
helps to clarify the meaning of a word, but also provides
insight into how it can be used in different situations.
A thesaurus, on the other hand, provides synonyms and
antonyms for a given word, allowing for a more nuanced
understanding of its meaning and usage.
3. Play Word Games
Playing word games like Scrabble or crossword puzzles
can be a fun way to improve vocabulary. By engaging
with various word puzzles, players are exposed to new
words and challenged to think critically about their
meanings and usage.
Additionally, many word games incorporate elements of
competition or reward which can incentivize players to
learn and retain new vocabulary. Furthermore, the
repetitive nature of these games can reinforce the
memorization of words and their definitions.
There are many free apps available that help users learn
new words and test their knowledge.
4. Practice Writing
Writing regularly is an effective way to improve
vocabulary as it allows for the use of a wider
range of vocabulary than speaking.
It also forces you to think critically about the
words you use and how they relate to each
other and you have more time to consider and
select your words carefully.
It also offers a great opportunity to practice the
use of new words and phrases to solidify your
understanding of their meanings.
5. Engage in
Conversation
When we have conversations, we are exposed to
various words and phrases that we may not have
heard before. By asking questions and actively
listening, we can learn new words and their
meanings.
Additionally, conversations provide context for
these new words, making it easier to remember
and use them in the future.
Engaging in conversations with people from
different backgrounds and cultures can also
expose us to new words and phrases that we may
not have otherwise encountered.
Class Initiatives
Vocab Journal
So let's start right away! This semester, you will each start a
vocabulary journal by writing down new words you come across
during lessons, reading or in daily life. You should aim to include
general academic words, domain-specific words (english or
literary terms) or other precise or interesting formal vocabulary
that will make your academic writing sound more sophisticated.
For each word you write down, provide a definition, write two
sentences showing the word being used in context and record two
synonyms. An example has been completed for you on the next
slide!
Word: Obstinate
Definition: Obstinate at its most basic means "stubborn." It describes
people who refuse to change their behavior or ideas in spite
of reason, arguments, or persuasion, and it describes things
that are not easily fixed, removed, or dealt with.
Usage: E.g. The company's obstinate refusal to adapt to changing
market trends ultimately led to their downfall.
E.g. The obstinate child refused to eat his vegetables,
despite his parents' insistence.
Synonyms: stubborn, inflexible, headstrong
Source: “Word of the Day: Obstinate.” Merriam-Webster, [Link]/word-of-the-day/obstinate-2023-06-02. Accessed
14 June 2023.
Word of the Day
Just for a bit of fun we're also going to start a word of the day
activity twice a week this semester that will be completely run by
you!
Each of you will take turns choosing a new vocabulary word that
will be displayed in the classroom or posted to the class
communications forum. For your chosen word, you will need to
include a definition, an example of usage and 2-3 synonyms. It's a
good idea to select a word that is relevant to the current topic we
are studying.
Our goal is then to try and use the word in our conversations or
writing throughout the week. You can also add your classmates'
word of the day to your vocabulary journals!
To Conclude
Committing to the process
Expanding your academic vocabulary, however you choose to do it, can be
an interesting and entertaining activity. It can help you improve your
academic writing, comprehend your studied texts and to sound more
intelligent in conversation!
Unfortunately, vocabulary is not something that will magically improve
overnight. It takes time and an active effort. When you've learnt a new word
and understood its definition remember to practice by undertaking various
exercises to commit the word to your memory and to ensure you know how
to use it properly.
As you prepare yourself for college or a career, extend your learning beyond
the classroom by by demonstrating independence in gathering vocabulary
But wait! Let's finish with a
challenge!
Dead Words Considering Connotations
Find a stronger word to use for the For each of the following words, list
following terms. You can use the two synonyms - one with negative
internet including dictionary and connotations and one with positive
thesaurus to help you. connotations.
• sad • mean • walked • group
• happy • nice • said • laughed
• tired • stuff • slept • confident
• annoyed • big • unusual • reason