Study Tip - learning vocabulary

[Jeremy Taylor]

When you are learning a new language it is useful to have a list of the 1000 most common words in that language. Each month that you study, spend an hour going through the list and put a cross next to every word that is in your passive vocabulary - i.e. you recognise the word but wouldn't use it yourself. If the word is in your active vocabulary, then put a circle around the cross. It is interesting to see how quickly you can fill the list with circled crosses and also it shows you some of the lexical items you could work on.
Hope it helps - and have a great 2006.
Jeremy - TEFL Trainer, Writer, Fire Juggler
http://perso.wanadoo.fr/jeremytaylor/

[gorilla]

It sounds good, but how can you decide that you know a word passively or actively? When should you circle the cross? It's not really easy to tell that I would use it or not.

[outsider01]

That's a useful tip, but first I need to get the list. Can you give me a clue?

[Jeremy Taylor]

There are a number of different lists you can use. You could have a look at http://esl.about.com/library/vocabulary/bl1000_list1.htm

As for whether a word is in your passive or active vocabulary. If you know the word and would recognise it if someone else used it, then it is in your passive vocabulary. If you actively use it, then it is in your active vocabulary. You are the judge.
Jeremy
http://perso.wanadoo.fr/jeremytaylor/

[gorilla]

Eh... It's not for me then, but it can be useful to some.