Here are some statements, we often hear from ESL students as we counsel them to Learn Conversations in English (‘Spoken English’ as it’s popularly called):
“I have crammed many word-lists given to me by my test-prep teachers”
“I did my B.Tech and/or MBA and medium of study was English”
“I know all the words that you show me on this slide in this Wordle or whatever”
“I understand the word when I read it but it doesn’t come to my mind when I speak”
“I watch Hollywood movies but they speak too fast so I do not get the words; reading the sub-titles helps but only very little”
“Living in India and Exposed to English; I have listened to thousands of words spoken to me in real-life situations”
In my view, ‘Exposure to English’ as expressed in the last statement is most helpful towards building adequate and active vocabulary. First and foremost the English Learner has to be ready to receive the words from all the available sources and a vocabulary class is no different…We use all the available media and examples that help you Learn.
A statement that I often make in the class (sometimes I repeat it for emphasis) “thousands of English words are now part of our everyday speaking as we do in cities like Delhi or NOIDA” . This fact also gives us a positive start for building Active Vocabulary for English Conversations.
Do you know the Hindi word for a Pencil or a Glass?. I am sure, you don’t use it even if you know it. As an adult person exposed to life in a city in India, people are using mobile-phones, internet, e-mail and with that they use hundreds (even thousands) of English words that they confidently speak as a part of every-day conversations in Hinglish (a mix of Hind-English as spoken in Indian Cities). So, you don’t speak 100% correct or pure Hindi but speak it easily and fluently and usage of new ‘Hindi’ word comes naturally to you. You don’t need to do any extra effort or attend my class for it the Environment teaches.
Pay attention: sometimes, the pronunciation of the English word when spoken in a local language is changed!
You may also come to think that “I know thousands of words in English but am not able to Speak even a complete sentence”. So how would adding more words help me. Other questions, some of them are excuses coming from our natural lethargy to learn are:
- How is adding words to my vocabulary (active or passive) different for English as a second language?
- Do I need to learn more words and spend time building English vocabulary?
- I have a lot of hesitation; OR How would i develop confidence to speak?
- I don’t have the environment at home or office; How will English environment help me?
- I also need to Learn Grammar; How much emphasis will you give to grammar?
Some of them may be true while others are myths…let’s discover what is Active Vocab and how you build it.
Active Vocabulary is the 1st thing that is needed to Speak in English. We all Learn ‘new’ words when we get in contact with them, understand the meaning by looking it up in the Dictionary…LEARN to refer to the dictionary on-line or off-line, doesn’t matter.
For Some of you who can Read well and have good working Vocabulary, you just need to ‘Learn 5 New Words’ everyday or Activate the words that you know. It is important to add some ‘Adjectives or describing words as we may call them’. Adjectives are the jewelry of any Language and make it beautiful! The effect is that you enhance the impact of what you say and write.
The instructors will help you discover the meaning of the new words from a Flashcard (picture) or PowerPoint Slide or a Wordle, As an instructor I give a lot of examples so you understand the context in which this new word can be used (or not used) and learn its proper usage when you speak or write. You will be encouraged to make 2-3 sentences (affirmative, negative and interrogative) with the new word and speak the sentences out to the class. Finally, you will be given the opportunity to speak on a topic ‘depending on you ability’ where you can use the ‘new’ words.
The result is, that you ‘develop your active word-base and are effectively able to use the new words at appropriate places even outside the classroom in real-life situations. With adequate Vocabulary, you express yourself, more benefits of superior word-power are:
- Speak more clearly….without repeating and using filler words/ jargon or slang
- Express yourself freely….on personality of an individual, explaining your project etc.
- Converse confidently…even with people from other professions
- Make extempore speech/presentation ….. on a wide variety of topics
- Gain Confidence….as you don’t fumble as you speak.
You are able to ‘strike the right word at the right time’ and be more Fluent as you practice usage of your words more and more… It is my firm belief that you learn best in real-life’ situation so doing role-plays will help you not just with you vocabulary but also with understanding of the grammar.
Isn’t it true that ‘Words Shape your Future!’
At T.r.i.c.k.s – Noida, you will attend a number of Active Vocabulary sessions so that you add words to your ‘word-bank’ and start speaking simple sentences within 10-15 days…. Fluency development can take its time put the right path and progress is assured. Number of Active Vocabulary sessions you attend depends on your Level and the Module you choose.
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