Welcome to our Academic English Course!
Strategies for Learning Academic Vocabulary
Use Flashcards
Create flashcards with academic words on one side and definitions or example sentences on the other.
Regularly review your flashcards to reinforce memory.
Use apps like Anki or Quizlet for digital flashcards.
Contextual Learning
Learn vocabulary by reading academic texts and noting how words are used in context.
Write sentences or short paragraphs using new vocabulary to solidify understanding.
Practice paraphrasing sentences that include new academic words.
Word Families
Learn related forms of a word (e.g., analyze, analysis, analytical).
Group words into families to expand your vocabulary more efficiently.
Practice using different forms of the word in sentences.
Understanding Word Families and Synonyms
Word Families
Example:
Noun - Creation
Verb - Create
Adjective - Creative
Adverb - Creatively
Practice:
Choose a word and list its related forms.
Write a sentence for each form to understand how they function differently.
Synonyms
Purpose:
Helps avoid repetition in writing.
Provides variety and precision in word choice.
Example:
Word - Important
Synonyms - Crucial · Significant · Vital.
Practice:
Replace a common word in your writing with a synonym that fits the context.
Be aware of slight differences in meaning or tone between synonyms.
Contextual Vocabulary Exercises
Reading and Vocabulary in Context
Exercise
Read an academic article or passage.
Highlight unfamiliar words and try to infer their meanings from the context.
After reading, look up the definitions and see how close your guesses were.
Using New Words in Writing
Exercise
Write a short paragraph or essay using at least five new academic words you’ve learned.
Focus on using them accurately and appropriately in context.
Review your writing to ensure that the new words enhance clarity and precision.
Thank you for participating in today’s class.
Next Class:
Writing Academic Essays