Don’t want to miss any tips and tricks for English?
Still struggling to find the right words after years of studying English?
One thing I hear again and again from intermediate and advanced ESL learners is that they want to sound more natural in English.
They also want to learn English vocabulary in use, words that are actually said today and not old-fashioned idioms like “It’s raining cats and dogs.”
They know the grammar and they’ve got lots of vocabulary. But they want to learn how to say the right word for the right context in the right way.
This is perhaps the most difficult part of learning a second language, figuring out the word choices a native speaker would make.
Now English vocabulary apps or English vocabulary lists can be useful, but they can’t really tell you when to use what and how.
While there’s no one way to master word choice, there are strategies that can build your familiarity with natural English, like collocations, paraphrasing, interpretation of others’ speech, and the 7 aspects of pronunciation.
Examples of English Vocabulary
For instance, look at these four statements that express the same idea.
“I’m looking forward to working with you.”
“Can’t wait to start working with you.”
“It’ll be an absolute pleasure to work with you.”
“How awesome that we’ll be working together.”
1. What phrases in these statements do you use? Which ones don’t you use?
2. Which ones would you say to a boss, client, colleague or friend?
3. Which statements are you more likely to hear from the fluent or native speakers around you?
4. Which are more formal? Which are less formal?
5. How do the feelings expressed in the different statements compare with each other? And how intense are the feelings expressed?
In my interactive lessons, I have games with English vocabulary with flashcards, and I have more advanced English vocabulary exercises.
But to truly master the art of word choice, you need a teacher or coach who can explain the nuance of language. So sign up for a strategy session so we can discuss your communication goals and how to achieve them.