{"id":163,"date":"2025-09-05T11:36:10","date_gmt":"2025-09-05T11:36:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thebritishwhisperer.com\/?p=163"},"modified":"2025-09-09T12:22:15","modified_gmt":"2025-09-09T12:22:15","slug":"how-can-i-improve-my-vocabulary","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thebritishwhisperer.com\/?p=163","title":{"rendered":"How can I improve my vocabulary?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Low marks in reading and listening can often be due to a lack of vocabulary knowledge rather than poor reading or listening skills.<\/strong> If you don\u2019t know the missing word in a Cambridge C1 Advanced Part 2 listening test, then it\u2019s impossible to hear it and write it down!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

o, improving your vocabulary is super important <\/strong>when you\u2019re preparing for a Cambridge exam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are three stages to expanding your vocabulary<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Noticing new language in context<\/strong> \u2013 when you read or hear a new word or phrase<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Recording and learning it <\/strong>so you can understand it when you read or hear it<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Using it in your own writing and speaking<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    I\u2019m going to focus on the first two.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Stage 1<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    How often do you watch films or TV series in English?<\/strong> Once a month? Once a week? Every day?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Have you ever read an article from an English newspaper?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    And how often do you do you actively listen for new words or write down new phrases you hear?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Less often? Never?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    That\u2019s normal! So, challenge yourself to keep a notebook or your phone next to you when you watch. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Then, note down three new words or phrases that you hear while you\u2019re watching.<\/strong> You could even write the bit of dialogue for context.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    When the film is over, look them up in the dictionary<\/strong> and make a note of the meaning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Do this when you\u2019re reading in English too. <\/strong>(With my Lessons you get a newspaper article to read or listen to for free)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Don\u2019t go crazy: 3-5 new pieces of vocabulary are enough each time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Cambridge reading and listening tests are also a great place to find new language specific to the level of your exam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Looking for and recording new language like this turns a passive activity like watching Netflix into something active. That\u2019s when your brain starts working and the learning happens!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Let’s recap! To expand your vocabulary your need to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Notice new words and phrases when you\u2019re reading and listening<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Then,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Record it and learn it so you can understand it the next time you read it or hear it.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Now you are ready for stage 2.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Stage 2<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    To learn new vocabulary, you need to review it regularly in variety of different ways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n