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Learn English effectively

Learn English Vocabulary

Learning new English words is like collecting ingredients for a meal. It’s not as difficult as learning how to cook, but it’s a great start and an absolutely crucial step!

Improve your English vocabulary

Here are our top tips on growing your vocabulary to the size you need. You’ll also find links to as many vocabulary lists as you could ever possibly need! Learn English the most effective way and reach your language goals faster: take private English lessons from the comfort of your own home!

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Frequently asked questions

After analyzing one million test-takers, researchers from Ghent University found that native English-speaking Americans know an average of at least 42,000 words by the time they turn 20 years old. By 60, they will know around 48,000 words.

 

However, don’t let that intimidate you if English is not your native language. Leading linguistic researcher Paul Nation says that “a much smaller size is needed” to read a foreign language than we are usually taught in a classroom.

 

In fact, according to a study conducted at Swansea University, UK, the average English vocabulary for each language level is the following: 

 

A1 --less than 1,500 words 

A2 --about 1,500 - 2,500 words 

B1 --about 2,750 - 3,250 words 

B2 --about 3,250 - 3,750 words 

C1 --about 3,750 - 4,500 words 

C2 --about 4,500 - 5,000 words

Learning 10 new words a day is a challenge for even the most experienced language learners! Try this exercise to remember more words and learn how to use them in context.

 

Commit to a daily practice of reading several sentences from an English newspaper, article, or book.

Whenever you find a new word, look up its definition, pronunciation, and how to use it in context.

Practice these new words by writing them down in a phrase or sentence.

Then practice speaking these phrases and sentences out loud.

 

After you’ve created your ten sentences, stop writing. If you want to stick to your learning habit, don’t overload yourself! Every day, go back and review yesterday’s words and any older, unfamiliar ones to refresh your memory. Download the Preply app and add the words you're learning. The app automatically creates flashcards with definitions, pronunciations, and sample sentences. It also has practice exercises to build your long-term memory!

There are so many books you can choose to improve your English vocabulary, from classic literature to business books (for specialized business English vocabulary) and self-improvement guides. You can learn new words from all of them! However, there are books created specifically to develop a reader’s vocabulary. Here are some of our top picks:

 

504 Absolutely Essential Words: This vocabulary book is for English learners looking to build a strong foundation by learning the most frequently used words in English. It comes with short reading passages and exercises that help you learn the words in context.

 

1100 Words You Need to Know: Looking for something more advanced? This vocabulary book helps thousands of students prepare for the SAT and ACT exams. It comes with word lists, analogy exercises and words-in-context exercises.

 

30 Days to a More Powerful Vocabulary: Millions of English learners have used this guide to improve their business English skills, academic performance and confidence with new vocabulary. All you need is a pencil and fifteen minutes a day to complete the simple exercises and quizzes inside.

 

Word Power Made Easy: This is a well-known and humorous classic for English learners who want to improve their communication skills in many contexts. It is arranged in thematic sections—from “how to flatter your friends” to “how to insult your enemies”!