Vocabulary Learning Strategies

Since English is not my first language, I am challenging to memorize many English words and apply them in speaking and writing. I often get stuck both in speaking and writing because I have no sufficient vocabularies. Therefore, I think vocabularies are the most important part in learning language before any other parts such as learning grammar and idiom. In terms of learning vocabulary, normally I target myself to memorize five academic words every single reading. I focus on academic words because I need these words more than daily life words in order to understand a discussion in the class, read any reading materials, and write academic paper. Moreover, becoming a graduate student is demanding to be active in those three area activities.

In obtaining my target toward learning vocabularies, I apply four strategies. First, I highlight the words that I do not know the meaning. Normally I use color pen or pencil to mark the words on the readings. Second, I use dictionary to check the meaning, synonym, and some examples that show me how to apply the word in a sentence. Actually, this part takes time because I have to check the meaning one by one. Therefore, I only check the words that are positioned as important words in the reading. Then when I have time, I will look for the meaning of the rest of the words that I mark on the reading. Third, I write the words and the meanings on my book. This is a kind of small book dictionary I have. I have collected a hundred of academic words, but it does not necessarily mean that I can memorize all the words. I am still struggling to memorize and use them in speaking and writing.

I think these strategies work for me because my experience shows that my vocabularies are increasing. In comparison with my ability when first time I came to Hawaii, when I could not understand the reading at all, now I can read some difficult readings such as reading for cultural studies. Although I still find some difficult words, at least I can understand some parts of the reading. For example, reading about cultural theories is demanding my ability to understand some terms and the structure of sentence itself. The words “habitus”, “field”, and “capital” that suggested by Pierre Bourdeou have a certain definition that is more than what explained by dictionary. In this case, I use secondary reading material in my own language in order to give me a better understanding on the terms.

In addition, I think the more I talk to native friends or those who are not Indonesian, the more I can improve my vocabularies. It is possible because when I hear a new word that I am not familiar with, I ask her/him the meaning immediately. Indeed, the words are not categorized as academic words, but I can use them in speaking or understand other talks or speeches. However, sometimes I find the people also use academic words in speaking, and for me it becomes an easier way to understand and improve my vocabularies because listening is easier than reading and looking up to the dictionary by myself. Moreover, when I often hear the words used by my friends in our daily conversation.

I think vocabulary log that I did in our class is also helpful because I did many activities in one assignment. Not only marking the words and looking for the meanings, but I should guess the part of speech and the meaning firstly before using a dictionary. Indeed, sometimes I guess the meaning, but it is not often, and normally I do this for some words that are not important on the reading. For some important words, I go directly to the dictionary because I do not want to take time for guessing. Besides, I also learn how to apply the new words on my own sentences. It makes sense because it explains how I understand the meaning of the words.

In addition, for future plan regarding vocabularies learning, I am thinking to post the words on my room wall because it will be easier for me to remember. I may write the words down on a small piece of paper, and post it on any places that I mostly look at and stand in front of the wall for a while such as beside the mirror or my bed. While doing another thing, I can read the word and think about it. Actually I have seen my friends in Jakarta did the same thing, but I never applied this for myself. For me, posting the words is more readable than writing the words on my book dictionary. I realize it because I rarely open the book unless I need the words to write academic paper, and I need word help.

Using the words in academic speaking is also important in order to improve my vocabularies. This is the next plan that I would like to consider more. Firstly, I can practice using the words in speaking with my friends, and then in the class. For example, I can use the word “acknowledge” and “prominent” when I talk to my friends about career and future plan after graduation by saying: “I want to be a prominent writer in my country and people with acknowledge it.” By using the words in daily conversation, I will get used to apply them both in academic speaking and writing. And for sure, by the time my vocabularies will be dramatically increasing.

Note from Valerie: Great job! I’d like to be able to share your paper as an example for future students (without your name, of course) since you’ve clearly addressed each aspect of this assignment and used detailed examples. (haha)