Expanding Your Vocabulary

Expanding your vocabulary and improving your annunciation are great goals to boost your communication skills.

Here's a breakdown of strategies for both:

Expanding Your Vocabulary

• Read Widely and Often: Immerse yourself in different texts: novels, newspapers, magazines, academic articles, and even well-written blogs.

  • Pro Tip: When you encounter an unfamiliar word, don't just skip over it. Look it up, write it down, and try to use it in a sentence.

• Use a Dictionary and Thesaurus: Keep these tools handy. A dictionary will give you definitions, and a thesaurus will help you find synonyms and related words.

• Word of the Day: Many websites and apps offer a "word of the day." Make it a habit to learn a new word each day.

• Context Clues: Pay attention to the words surrounding unfamiliar words. The context can often give you hints about their meaning.

• Active Learning:

  • Keep a vocabulary journal: Write new words, their definitions, and example sentences.

  • Use flashcards: Create flashcards with words on one side and definitions on the other.

  • Teach someone else: Explaining a new word to someone helps solidify your understanding.

• Engage in Conversations: Talking with people with a wide range of vocabulary can expose you to new words.

Improving Your Annunciation

• Listen Actively: Pay close attention to how others pronounce words. Watch their mouth movements.

• Record Yourself: Read aloud and record yourself speaking. Listen back to identify areas where you can improve.

• Practice Tongue Twisters: Tongue twisters are a fun way to improve your articulation and pronunciation.

• Focus on Problem Sounds: Identify specific sounds or words you struggle with and practice them repeatedly.

• Slow Down: Speaking too quickly can make it harder to enunciate clearly. Consciously slow down your speech, especially when presenting or speaking in public.

• Practice Breathing: Proper breathing supports clear speech. Practice deep breathing exercises to improve your vocal control.

• Seek Feedback: Ask a trusted friend or family member to listen to you speak and provide constructive feedback.

Resources to Help You

• Online Dictionaries and Thesauruses: Merriam-Webster, Oxford English Dictionary, Thesaurus.com

• Vocabulary Building Apps: Vocabulary.com, Magoosh Vocabulary Builder, Memrise

• Pronunciation Resources: Forvo (hear words pronounced by native speakers), Youglish (see videos of words used in context)