Tips for learners
Learning words is too hard
- You can learn new words by reading any kind of texts in your target language: newspapers, brochures, instructions, labels, food product specifications and so on. For example:
- poems are often short and easy to understand;
- try reading a book or story you already know well in your own language;
- be patient; the first ten pages of a book are always the hardest!;
- look for "easy readers" in your target language;
- read stories for young people;
- read picture books for children on every day topics.
- Read signs and announcements when travelling in the foreign country and note down the words you want to learn. For example in museums and galleries a beginner can:
- figure out the opening hours, entrance fee, contact information, etc.;
- study symbols and their explanations;
- see if there is a gift shop and what can be bought there;
- try to guess the meaning of headings in the menus of web pages using the context (e.g. what kind of exhibitions there are), pictures and other illustrations to help you.
- Study web pages of museums and galleries or anything you are interested in. An advanced learner can:
- learn vocabulary related to a specific area (there are museums for everything from cows to engineering). Make mind maps etc. and write a text in which you use the new vocabulary;
- if there is a translated version of the text, compare that with the original one or use it to support your understanding.
- Collect keywords which are important in your everyday life, for example words which you need at work.
