How to learn a new vocab!

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Dote  #115872  Wed, 06 Jul 05 01:50 PM

hi everyone!

i wonder about the best way to learn a new vocab ,since i know there are two ways of learning

1) to translate the word to the learner language and study it

2) to understand the word by using an english dictionary

which way do you learners use?and what does the native english speakers suggest?

i also like to know the best way to learn form enlish films

is it fine to read the translation or is it better to listen to the acters.....what if we didn't understand some words?

 

  
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LanguageLover  #115875  Wed, 06 Jul 05 02:04 PM

Hi Dote, welcome to the Forums,

Though I am not a native speaker of English, I strongly advise you to stick to learn a language without translating to your own language interference. You have to think in English when you are learning it.

And as to your second question, first of all watch the movie without the subtitles, it doesn't matter if you do not understand every word or sentence spoken. It's better to watch it for a second time trying to listen more carefully  before having a look at the subtitles. I know, it takes time, but it works better.

Good luck,

  
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science_guru  #115940  Wed, 06 Jul 05 06:02 PM

For stronger vocabulary, you need to follow etymological approach. For example "cide" means "to kill". From this word  you could built many words like "suicide", "homicide", "genocide", "regicide", "fratericide", "sororicide", etc..

fratericide mean killing of brother. The word frater means brother from which many other words are formed: fraternity, fraternize etc.

There are many good  books on the subject. "Word Power Made Easy" by Normal Lewis is quite popular.

SG

  
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Dote  #115957  Wed, 06 Jul 05 07:06 PM

hi there!

thanks languagelover

i liked you way ,sience guru....and i will read the book you suggested

  
Anonymous  #134059  Mon, 05 Sep 05 10:05 AM

hello

it's really a helpful for increasing our vocab.

thnx.

  
M_Hesham  #134101  Mon, 05 Sep 05 01:45 PM

Dear,

  I'm Egyptian and very interested in English I'm only 16 years and aim to speak English better than Americans.

I asked a lot of  English teachers, native speaker and other famous persons who speak English about the best way to learn English and this is some advices to be good in English:

1- Try to take an English course in American university in your country.

2- Listen to the radio about 2 hours per day.

3- Try to speak English with anyone in your family or of your friends.

4- Watch Americn films without looking to the translation.

5- Make friends through the interenet who speak English from USA and UK.

6- Decide if you'll learn American English or British English. (About me I prefer American English because it's simple and easy but Americans speak very quick. About British Englsih I think it's complicated and use difficult words)

Reagrds

  
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Stalwart  #134160  Mon, 05 Sep 05 04:40 PM
 M_Hesham wrote:

Dear,

  I'm Egyptian and very interested in English I'm only 16 years and aim to speak English better than Americans.....

 

wowow so nice aim.. Good luck..

  
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pieanne  #134195  Mon, 05 Sep 05 06:32 PM

Welcome to the English Forums, M_Hesham!

You've got very good ideas, well, practise and practise, and if you have any questions, here is a good place to ask them!  Smile [:)] 

 

  
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Forbes  #134452  Tue, 06 Sep 05 02:36 PM

I'm Egyptian and very interested in English I'm only 16 years and aim to speak English better than Americans.

A very praiseworthy aim! However, you should remember that all native speakers of English speak it perfectly and you cannot improve on perfection. I expect you mean that you are looking to acquire a large vocabulary. There are of course many non-native speakers of English who have vocabularies larger than the average native speaker. You should also remember that language is part of one's experience so there will always be areas of English that are likely to remain closed to you.

I asked a lot of English teachers, native speaker and other famous persons who speak English about the best way to learn English and this is some advices to be good in English:

1- Try to take an English course in American university in your country.

Fine if you want to concentrate on American English.

2- Listen to the radio about 2 hours per day.

Good idea - but rememebr there is not only the Voice of America and the BBC but other English speaking countries that broadcast. e.g. Australia.

3- Try to speak English with anyone in your family or of your friends.

This is good as long as the people you speak with are fairly competent in English - but remember that you are Egypian and you need to speak in your local language as well!

4- Watch American films without looking to the translation.

Don't just watch American films. I would be inclined to read the subtitles - watching the film should be enjoyable as well as helping you with your English. If you have DVD you should watch a few film with the subtitles on and then without and see how much you remember. When you think you are doing well watch a film without the subtitiles and then with. If you missed a lot go back to watching with subtitles first.

5- Make friends through the internet who speak English from USA and UK.

Nothing wrong with that. If you speak to people your own age you will of course learn a lot of non-standard English!

6- Decide if you'll learn American English or British English. (About me I prefer American English because it's simple and easy but Americans speak very quick. About British Englsih I think it's complicated and use difficult words

There is a misconception that there is a big difference between Standard American English and Standard British English. These two varieties of English are about 99.9% the same. Some words are spelled differently - the differences can be set out on a page. There are some differences in every day vocabulary, mainly to do wth food, clothing and household items - again these can be set out on a page. There are some other differences that most American and British speakers do not notice as they are as much matters of style and preference as anything else. If you can read The Times of London you can read The Washington Post. There are of course different accents and you need to decide which one you are going to try and imitate. Unless you have a very acute ear, I suspect you will always sound more Egyptian than either American or British. It all depends on who you think you are likely to be dealing with. Remember that most Europeans learn to speak using what is sometimes termed a Standard Southern English, i.e. a British accent. An American accent has virtually no prestige in the UK. On the other hand many Americans love to hear what they consider a cultivated English accent. Others, however, do not find it so charming. If you expect to meet native English speakers from all over the world you should try and get as much experience as you can of different varieties of English. You should also remember that within the UK there is a great variety in the way people speak. A man from from Glasgow and a man from London will probably have more difficulty understanding each other than either will have in understanding an American TV show.

  
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