1     I can talk about vocabulary learning

A    Reading

Tips for reading

When you’re reading in a foreign language, you should try to get the gist of the text. You will meet vocabulary you don’t recognize, but you can often go through the text again. If so, try this:

• Identify the new words and phrases which seem to be important. Try to guess the meaning from the context, and/or use a dictionary.

• Keep a record of the words in a notebook, and, if possible, make a note of any special information. For example, is the word formal or informal? Is it used in a particular kind of construction, e.g. a verb that is often followed by a preposition?

• Write a translation if you think it helps; sometimes it isn’t necessary.

 

Glossary 

foreign  from a country that is not your own (a person is a foreigner).

gist  SING The gist of sth is the general meaning but not all the details.

text   the written part of a book, newspaper, etc.

recognize sb/sth  know who sb is or what sth is because you’ve seen or heard them before. recognition N.

go through sth  read sth carefully from beginning to end.

identify sth  recognize sth and decide what it is.

guess sth  give an answer to sth without being sure of the facts. guess N.

context  the words before and after the new word or phrase that help you to understand the meaning.

keep a record of sth  write sth down to help you remember it. record sth V.

make a note of sth  write sth down quickly to help you remember it.

construction  the way words are used together in a sentence. construct sth V.

translation  a text that has been changed from one language into another. translate sth V.

 

spotlight  formal

We use formal language to appear serious or official, or sometimes when we don’t know people well. OPP informal. formality N. OPP informality.

B    Speaking and listening

• In a conversation, you can often ask someone to repeat words or phrases you don’t understand and explain the meaning to you.

• Repeat new words to yourself, so you know how to pronounce them.

• Look for opportunities to practise them when you’re speaking. don’t be afraid to experiment with new language, and don’t worry about making mistakes.

• It’s important to revise new vocabulary. If not, you may forget it quite quickly.

• Remember: there isn’t a correct method of learning vocabulary. Do what works for you.

 

Glossary

repeat sth  say sth again. repetition N.

explain sth  make sth clear or easy to understand. explanation N

pronounce sth  make the sound of a word or letter. pronunciation N.

opportunity  a time when it is possible to do sth that you want to do. SYN chance.

experiment with sth  try sth to see what result it has.

make mistakes  NOT do mistakes.

revise sth  study sth again (you do revision).

method  a way of doing sth.

work  get or have the result you want.

 

spotlight  conversation, chat, discussion, argument

A conversation is a talk between two or more people. You can also have a chat with sb, which is a friendly informal conversation (chat V). A discussion about sth is when you talk about something seriously (discuss sth V). An argument is a discussion in which people disagree, often angrily.

6     Test yourself. Cover the glossary meanings and look at the words. What are the meanings?