by Stefani Andrews

Created on: June 03, 2011   Last Updated: June 04, 2011

Studies have shown that having a good vocabulary is an important stepping stone into a successful business and professional life. Everyone who can effectively express themselves through writing or speech already knows thousands of words and more are learned every day through experience. But with a few easy steps, you can increase your vocabulary in fun and creative ways. A sad fact is that children who are learning to speak will learn more words in just a single week than most adults will over the course of a year. This is partially due to the effort being put forth to learn by the child, but also by some of the ways the child is learning.

1. Subscribe to a Word of the Day blog or email circulation. There are dozens of these around and every day you will have a brand new word to learn and comprehend. When you get this email or read the daily blog, be sure to read the entire definition entry from beginning to end. Then look for how that word is used in speech or writing so that you understand the context. Write down a few sentences using the word so that you commit it to your memory for later use.

2. Spend a few minutes reading the newspaper or a book as you would on any other day. Keep a notepad handy to write down any words that you do not recognize. Also have a dictionary nearby so that when you are done reading you will be able to look up those mystery words. Follow the same process with the daily word email and read the entire entry. Try and use it in a sentence and re-read the passage from your book or newspaper so that you fully understand the context in which it was used. 

3. When you have a sufficient number of new words that you are trying to remember, make vocabulary flash cards and test yourself for a few minutes every day. Your brain remembers things better if they are repeated, so practicing these new words is essential to being able to use them later.

4. Do a crossword puzzle, or other word puzzle, every day. Some word puzzles tend to use obscure words or references that no one will ever use or recognize, but others are based in more common vocabulary and will be very useful in teaching you new words.

5. Set a goal to use your newly learned words at least once a day, in context. Learning how to properly use the word in a conversation is vital and the whole reason you are trying to increase your vocabulary to begin with. Make it a point to find a way to use the word in a conversation

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