| Pages in topic: [1 2] > | Learning English Vocabulary Thread poster: Pablo Fiumara
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Hi!
I am preparing myself for CAE's exam. When I make compositions, I repeat the same word many times, I know this is a lack of vocabulary but I simply cannot acquire new vocabulary.
Could you give me some advices, please? I am getting disappointed and do not know what to do.
Thanks!
| | | | Patricia Rosas 
United States
Local time: 12:21
Spanish to English
+ ...
In memoriam | try Merriam-Webster's | Jan 21, 2007 |
You could always go to Merriam-Webster's on-line thesaurus to look up alternative words as you write your composition:
www.m-w.com (and select the "thesaurus" button).
But I want to warn you: words have many levels of meaning, something all translators must grapple with. So, before simply picking a word, press the "dictionary" button and read the word's ENTIRE definition, then decide if that... See more You could always go to Merriam-Webster's on-line thesaurus to look up alternative words as you write your composition:
www.m-w.com (and select the "thesaurus" button).
But I want to warn you: words have many levels of meaning, something all translators must grapple with. So, before simply picking a word, press the "dictionary" button and read the word's ENTIRE definition, then decide if that word is appropriate.
It is a lot of sweat but that's what this is all about ... it will get easier! ▲ Collapse
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Thank you
I am also losing my confidence, because I forget the meaning of several words two days after doing reading.
I was told to memorize five words a day but I even cannot do that....:(
If anyone wants to give me more advices, I'll be thankful.
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Dear Cache - to start off, it's "give someone some advice" - not advices. Advice is an uncountable, abstract noun.
In the Oxford dictionary, nouns are countable unless they are designated by the letter [u]. If a noun can be either countable or uncountable (with different definitions, as in the examples given above), then the uncountable definitions are preceded by [u], and the countable definitions are preceded by [c], as in the following example:
ad-ven-ture n. 1 [c] a stra... See more Dear Cache - to start off, it's "give someone some advice" - not advices. Advice is an uncountable, abstract noun.
In the Oxford dictionary, nouns are countable unless they are designated by the letter [u]. If a noun can be either countable or uncountable (with different definitions, as in the examples given above), then the uncountable definitions are preceded by [u], and the countable definitions are preceded by [c], as in the following example:
ad-ven-ture n. 1 [c] a strange or unusual happening (The explorer told the boys about his adventures in the Arctic). 2 [u] risk; danger (Robin Hood lived a life of adventure).
Abstract nouns: advice, anger, beauty, confidence, courage, employment, fun, happiness, health, honesty, information, intelligence, knowledge, love, poverty, satisfaction, truth, and wealth
http://www.rpi.edu/web/writingcenter/esl.html ▲ Collapse
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| thanks for your correction | Jan 21, 2007 |
Kim Metzger wrote: Dear Cache - to start off, it's "give someone some advice" - not advices. Advice is an uncountable, abstract noun. In the Oxford dictionary, nouns are countable unless they are designated by the letter [u]. If a noun can be either countable or uncountable (with different definitions, as in the examples given above), then the uncountable definitions are preceded by [u], and the countable definitions are preceded by [c], as in the following example: ad-ven-ture n. 1 [c] a strange or unusual happening (The explorer told the boys about his adventures in the Arctic). 2 [u] risk; danger (Robin Hood lived a life of adventure). Abstract nouns: advice, anger, beauty, confidence, courage, employment, fun, happiness, health, honesty, information, intelligence, knowledge, love, poverty, satisfaction, truth, and wealth http://www.rpi.edu/web/writingcenter/esl.html
Thank you for correction me.
That's one of the stupid mistakes I am not supposed to do....
If anyone feels like giving some advice checking my 250-word composition, I would be really grateful. (I may send you some links where you will see my compositions).
Thanks!
| | | | Williamson
United Kingdom
Local time: 20:21
Flemish to English
+ ...
| What you could do... | Jan 21, 2007 |
Language is assimilation :
To enhance your vocabulary:
1. Buy a satellite dish and tune in on the BBC, CNN etc..
2. Listen to the BBC-world service and look up words and expressions you do not know.
3. Read a quality newspaper every day and look up words you are not familiar with.
4. Read news.bbc.co.uk and look up unfamiliar expressions.
4. Assimilate as much English as you can.
Draw up your own vocabulary lists and look at them regularly.
... See more Language is assimilation :
To enhance your vocabulary:
1. Buy a satellite dish and tune in on the BBC, CNN etc..
2. Listen to the BBC-world service and look up words and expressions you do not know.
3. Read a quality newspaper every day and look up words you are not familiar with.
4. Read news.bbc.co.uk and look up unfamiliar expressions.
4. Assimilate as much English as you can.
Draw up your own vocabulary lists and look at them regularly.
y no es : "Thank you for correction me", sino Thank you for correcting me".
Quizás podrías hacer el esfuerzo de estudiar profundamente la gramática inglesa". Suerte.
[Edited at 2007-01-21 17:54] ▲ Collapse
| | | | | Learning English vocabulary | Jan 21, 2007 |
Williamson wrote:
3. Read a quality newspaper every day and look up words you are not familiar with.
4. Read news.bbc.co.uk and look up unfamiliar expressions.
Draw up your own vocabulary lists and look at them regularly.
I tend to agree with Williamson that reading is a very important way to increase your vocabulary. I also think it takes many years to acquire a large, active vocabulary.
As for drawing up vocabulary lists, this reminds me of something I read about the writer Jack London. He used to post words on the walls of the cabin he was living in. The walls were full of words he wanted to assimilate.
So that everybody will know what CAE stands for, here's an explanation:
Certificate in Advanced English
CAE is the second highest level Cambridge ESOL exam, at level C1 of the Council of Europe's Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. Choose CAE if you are reaching a standard of English that is adequate for most purposes, including social and professional situations, and in higher education.
http://www.cambridgeesol.org/exams/cae.htm
Here's something you might find helpful:
http://esl.fis.edu/students/teanotes/
| | | | | I am a hasty person | Jan 21, 2007 |
Williamson wrote:
Language is assimilation :
To enhance your vocabulary:
1. Buy a satellite dish and tune in on the BBC, CNN etc..
2. Listen to the BBC-world service and look up words and expressions you do not know.
3. Read a quality newspaper every day and look up words you are not familiar with.
4. Read news.bbc.co.uk and look up unfamiliar expressions.
4. Assimilate as much English as you can.
Draw up your own vocabulary lists and look at them regularly.
y no es : "Thank you for correction me", sino Thank you for correcting me".
Quizás podrías hacer el esfuerzo de estudiar profundamente la gramática inglesa". Suerte.
[Edited at 2007-01-21 17:54]
I made that error as I am a hasty person ( do not if this sentence is right).
I do not understand BBC Channel and find newspapers too difficult for my level of English
I'd like to clarify that I am not a translator and my level of English is BELOW FCE. All the same, I do my best to enhance it. ( I joined this forum because I was in two minds about what degree studied).
Sorry for my horrible English, I hope you understand
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trab
Local time: 15:21
Spanish to English
| Easier places to pick up English | Jan 21, 2007 |
The BBC website has a whole learning English site that's pretty good at teaching idioms and other not-quite-basics. There's also a "simplified English" which may be a bit too simplified for you.
Also, USA Today is a much easier read than the New York Times, so if you want to use news sites, I'd start there. The articles are much shorter and the vocabulary and sentence structure is less complex.
Additionally, in terms of reading news, when I read in other languages... See more The BBC website has a whole learning English site that's pretty good at teaching idioms and other not-quite-basics. There's also a "simplified English" which may be a bit too simplified for you.
Also, USA Today is a much easier read than the New York Times, so if you want to use news sites, I'd start there. The articles are much shorter and the vocabulary and sentence structure is less complex.
Additionally, in terms of reading news, when I read in other languages, I always find it easier to read articles about things I know something about, than a totally new topic. That way I can use what I already know to figure out the new words, idioms, and grammatical structures.
There's a lot of ESL sites on the web. Ideally, of course, you have to find places to practice with native speakers. It takes usage to get good at the language.
Liz (teaches English as a Second Language here in the US) ▲ Collapse
| | | | | what do you mean? | Jan 21, 2007 |
trab wrote:
The BBC website has a whole learning English site that's pretty good at teaching idioms and other not-quite-basics. There's also a "simplified English" which may be a bit too simplified for you.
Also, USA Today is a much easier read than the New York Times, so if you want to use news sites, I'd start there. The articles are much shorter and the vocabulary and sentence structure is less complex.
Additionally, in terms of reading news, when I read in other languages, I always find it easier to read articles about things I know something about, than a totally new topic. That way I can use what I already know to figure out the new words, idioms, and grammatical structures.
There's a lot of ESL sites on the web. Ideally, of course, you have to find places to practice with native speakers. It takes usage to get good at the language.
Liz (teaches English as a Second Language here in the US)
What do you mean with "ESL sites to practice with native speakers" ?? Can you recommend me a website?
Thanks!
| | | | | Countable and uncountable noun | Jan 21, 2007 |
I have been tackling with this forever dilemma in English language. No article, definite article, single/plural form, with a/an or without a/an... gets me crazy!
Once I read a sentence in English gramma book saying that countable noun is devisable but uncountable noun is not. Since then, whenever I account a word and a noun, I think first whether I can chop it into two or not. Frankly speaking, it isn't that easy to distinguish between them.
Who said English is an easy ... See more I have been tackling with this forever dilemma in English language. No article, definite article, single/plural form, with a/an or without a/an... gets me crazy!
Once I read a sentence in English gramma book saying that countable noun is devisable but uncountable noun is not. Since then, whenever I account a word and a noun, I think first whether I can chop it into two or not. Frankly speaking, it isn't that easy to distinguish between them.
Who said English is an easy language?!
[Edited at 2007-01-21 21:40] ▲ Collapse
| | | | | English is not difficult | Jan 22, 2007 |
Sunghee Park wrote:
I have been tackling with this forever dilemma in English language. No article, definite article, single/plural form, with a/an or without a/an... gets me crazy!
Once I read a sentence in English gramma book saying that countable noun is devisable but uncountable noun is not. Since then, whenever I account a word and a noun, I think first whether I can chop it into two or not. Frankly speaking, it isn't that easy to distinguish between them.
Who said English is an easy language?!
[Edited at 2007-01-21 21:40]
Ok, I made a error about countable and uncountable nouns, I got it but that is not a big issue. I must focus on major problems such as writing and pronunciation (apart from grammar).
Comparing with other languages, in MY opinion, English is not difficult. By the way, this is a long discussion
Thanks!
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Patrice
United States
Local time: 12:21
Member
French to English
+ ...
| You have to love it | Jan 22, 2007 |
In order to learn a language well, I believe you need to love either the language and/or what it represents. If you are learning the language only because you think you should or because it's useful but unappealing to you, you will not be so eager to read it or to commit to memorizing 5 words/day and so forth. Strong motivation is so important.
But for whatever reason you are learning it, there is no magic pill for memorization etc. You just have to discipline yourself. It is like l... See more In order to learn a language well, I believe you need to love either the language and/or what it represents. If you are learning the language only because you think you should or because it's useful but unappealing to you, you will not be so eager to read it or to commit to memorizing 5 words/day and so forth. Strong motivation is so important.
But for whatever reason you are learning it, there is no magic pill for memorization etc. You just have to discipline yourself. It is like learning to play the piano, quitting smoking or any other goal: is it worth the time, effort and possible discomfort to you? You have to keep your eyes on the prize.
You already can make yourself clearly understood in English (which is a lot more than can be said about many people on this earth) and you are graceful about accepting the corrections of your colleagues. You exhibit some very important language-learning skills. I believe you will do well if you continue to persevere. I also believe that tests such as the one you are preparing for are so useful in helping you see where you are now compared to where you want to be, in terms of language learning. ▲ Collapse
| | | | RHELLER
United States
Local time: 13:21
French to English
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| try these links | Jan 22, 2007 |
| | | | Rafal Piasta
Poland
Local time: 21:21
English to Polish
+ ...
| Here are two very nice websites for practising listenings and vocabulary too. | Jan 22, 2007 |
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