Episode 33 - Expand Your English Vocabulary in Smart Ways.

 Effortless English Podcasts

Effortless English Chat

Expand Your English Vocabulary in Smart Ways.

https://youtu.be/JINepNjJUOc

Alex: Hi everyone, I’m Alex.

Luna: And I’m Luna.

Alex: Welcome to Effortless English Podcasts.

Luna: Today, we’re talking about something that every English learner wants to know.

Alex: How to expand your English vocabulary fast!

Luna: If you feel like you don’t know enough words…

Alex: Or if you always forget the words you learn…

Luna: Or if you want to sound more natural when speaking…

Alex: Then this episode is for you.

Luna: So, Alex, let’s start with a question.

Luna: Do you think vocabulary is the most important part of learning English?

Alex: Hmm, I’d say it’s one of the most important parts.

Alex: Without enough words, you can’t express yourself well.

Luna: Right!

Luna: Imagine trying to speak with only 100 words.

Alex: That would be a challenge!

Luna: You’d sound like a caveman.

Alex: “Me want food.”

Luna: “You funny.”

Alex: Haha, exactly!

Alex: But here’s the good news.

Alex: You don’t need to know every English word to speak fluently.

Luna: Yeah, even native speakers don’t know every word in the dictionary.

Alex: Studies show that learning the most common 3,000 words covers about 95% of everyday conversations.

Luna: And if you learn just 1,000 words, you can already understand a lot!

Alex: The key is to focus on the right words and use the right methods.

Luna: And that’s what we’re going to talk about today!

Alex: Before we dive in, we have something to help you.

Luna: We know some of you like to read while listening.

Alex: So we’ve prepared a full transcript of this episode.

Luna: You can find the link in the description below.

Alex: Also, we have subtitles in multiple languages.

Luna: Just turn on the CC button if you need them.

Alex: Alright, now let’s get started!

Luna: Alright, let’s talk about how people usually try to learn new words.

Alex: Yeah, the traditional ways that most of us have tried at some point.

Luna: The first one is memorizing word lists.

Alex: Right, just taking a list of words and trying to remember them one by one.

Luna: Like those vocabulary books for exams.

Alex: Or school assignments where you had to learn 20 new words each week.

Luna: Did you ever do that?

Alex: Of course!

Alex: But I forgot most of them after the test.

Luna: That’s the problem.

Luna: You might remember them for a short time, but they don’t stay in your brain.

Alex: Another common method is using a dictionary.

Luna: Yeah, whenever you see a new word, just look it up and try to remember it.

Alex: But it doesn’t always work.

Luna: Nope.

Luna: Sometimes, you look up a word, then forget it five minutes later.

Alex: Exactly!

Alex: And some words have multiple meanings, which makes it even harder.

Luna: Oh, and some people write words over and over again to remember them.

Alex: Like filling a notebook with the same word?

Luna: Yeah, just writing it down 20 times, hoping it sticks.

Alex: That sounds painful.

Luna: It is!

Luna: And kind of boring.

Alex: So, let’s break this down.

Alex: What’s good about these methods?

Luna: Well, they’re simple.

Alex: Yeah, anyone can do them.

Luna: And they don’t require special tools or apps.

Alex: Right.

Alex: You just need a book, a pen, or a dictionary.

Luna: But… the downsides?

Alex: First, they’re not very effective.

Luna: You forget words quickly because they don’t have any real meaning to you.

Alex: Second, they don’t teach you how to use the words.

Luna: Knowing a word is one thing.

Luna: Using it naturally is another.

Alex: And third, they’re boring!

Luna: Super boring.

Alex: If learning isn’t fun, you won’t keep doing it.

Luna: So, are these methods completely useless?

Alex: Not completely.

Alex: If you combine them with better techniques, they can still help.

Luna: That’s true.

Luna: But on their own, they’re not the best way to learn vocabulary fast.

Alex: And we’re all about learning efficiently, right?

Luna: Yes!

Luna: So let’s move on to what actually works.

Luna: Now, let’s talk about how we personally learn new words.

Alex: Yeah, because we’ve all tried different methods, right?

Luna: Of course! So, Alex, what’s your method?

Alex: Well, I used to do the classic word list thing.

Alex: But I hated it.

Luna: No surprise there!

Alex: So, I started reading more.

Luna: Just reading?

Alex: Not exactly.

Alex: Whenever I saw a new word, I didn’t stop to check the dictionary.

Alex: Instead, I guessed the meaning from the sentence.

Luna: Oh, that’s smart.

Luna: So, you didn’t interrupt your reading flow?

Alex: Exactly! Then, if I saw the same word again, I’d check the dictionary.

Luna: And did that help?

Alex: A lot! Because by then, I already had some idea of what the word meant.

Luna: That makes sense.

Luna: You were letting your brain figure things out first.

Alex: Yeah, and that helped me remember the word better.

Luna: Did you do anything else?

Alex: I also made flashcards.

Luna: Old-school paper flashcards?

Alex: At first, yes.

Alex: But later, I switched to an app.

Luna: So, like Anki or something?

Alex: Yeah, and it was a game-changer.

Luna: Why?

Alex: Because it used spaced repetition.

Luna: Meaning?

Alex: It showed me words right before I was about to forget them.

Luna: Oh, so you didn’t waste time reviewing words you already knew?

Alex: Exactly! Super efficient.

Luna: Okay, I like that.

Luna: But I learn differently.

Alex: Yeah? What’s your method?

Luna: I use stories.

Alex: Stories? Like reading books?

Luna: Sort of, but I make up my own stories.

Alex: Wait, what?

Luna: Let’s say I want to remember the word “hesitate.”

Luna: I imagine a guy standing in front of a pool, afraid to jump.

Alex: So, he hesitates.

Luna: Exactly!

Alex: That’s pretty creative.

Luna: It works because my brain remembers pictures better than random words.

Alex: Makes sense.

Luna: Plus, I also say new words out loud.

Alex: Out loud?

Luna: Yeah, like in a sentence.

Luna: If I learn “delicious,” I’ll say, “This pizza is delicious!”

Alex: Even if there’s no pizza?

Luna: Especially if there’s no pizza.

Alex: Haha! I guess that makes the word stick.

Luna: It really does.

Alex: So, to sum up…

Alex: I like reading, guessing meanings, and using flashcards.

Luna: And I use stories and say words out loud.

Alex: Different methods, but both work.

Luna: And now, let’s look at other efficient ways to learn vocabulary!

Alex: Alright, now let’s get to the good stuff—how to actually learn words efficiently.

Luna: Yes! No more boring memorization.

Alex: There are a few techniques that really work, and we’ll break them down.

Luna: First up—reading!

Alex: Reading is one of the best ways to learn new words naturally.

Luna: But not just any reading.

Luna: You need to pick the right materials.

Alex: Yeah, if you’re a beginner, don’t start with Shakespeare.

Luna: Unless you enjoy confusion.

Alex: Instead, choose books, articles, or stories that are just a little above your level.

Luna: That way, you can understand most of the content but still learn new words.

Alex: And here’s the key—don’t stop to check every new word.

Luna: That slows you down.

Alex: Try to guess the meaning first.

Luna: And if you see the word again, then check the dictionary.

Alex: Exactly! It keeps your brain engaged.

Luna: Alright, next method—spaced repetition.

Alex: If you want to remember words long-term, this is for you.

Luna: It’s like reviewing at the perfect time.

Alex: Yeah, instead of cramming everything at once, you review words right before you forget them.

Luna: And apps like Anki or Quizlet do this for you.

Alex: They adjust based on how well you remember a word.

Luna: If it’s easy, you see it less.

Alex: If it’s hard, you see it more.

Luna: Super smart!

Alex: Alright, next—mnemonics.

Luna: Fancy word.

Alex: It just means using tricks to remember things.

Luna: Like making funny stories?

Alex: Exactly! Let’s take the word “gigantic.”

Luna: Okay, what’s your trick?

Alex: I imagine a giant eating a huge burger.

Luna: And he says, “This is GIGANTIC!”

Alex: Haha, yes! Now you’ll never forget it.

Luna: See? That’s why mnemonics work.

Alex: You connect words to images or funny ideas, so they stick in your memory.

Luna: Next method—immersion.

Alex: This one is my favorite.

Luna: It’s about surrounding yourself with English, right?

Alex: Yep! Watching shows, listening to music, playing games—all in English.

Luna: So, basically, have fun while learning.

Alex: Exactly! The more you hear and see a word, the more natural it feels.

Luna: And the best part?

Luna: You learn how words are actually used, not just their meanings.

Alex: Alright, last method—using words in real life.

Luna: This is super important.

Alex: If you never use a word, you’ll forget it.

Luna: So, how do we use new words?

Alex: Easy! Write them in sentences.

Luna: Say them out loud.

Alex: Use them in a conversation, even if you’re talking to yourself.

Luna: Oh, I do that all the time!

Alex: No surprise there.

Luna: Hey! But seriously, practicing out loud helps a lot.

Alex: Agreed.

Alex: So, quick recap!

Luna: Read a lot and guess meanings.

Alex: Use spaced repetition to review smartly.

Luna: Try mnemonics to make words stick.

Alex: Immerse yourself in English.

Luna: And most importantly—use new words!

Alex: Now, let’s talk about how to apply these methods step by step.

Luna: Alright, now let’s break it down.

Luna: How do you actually use these methods step by step?

Alex: Good question!

Alex: Let’s start with reading.

Alex: Step one—choose the right material.

Luna: Not too easy, not too hard.

Alex: Exactly! If you understand 80-90% of the text, it’s perfect.

Luna: Step two—read without stopping for every new word.

Alex: Try to guess the meaning first.

Luna: And only check the dictionary if you see the word again later.

Alex: That way, you stay focused and don’t lose interest.

Luna: Love it! Next—spaced repetition.

Alex: Step one—use an app like Anki or Quizlet.

Luna: Or if you like old-school, make paper flashcards.

Alex: Step two—write the new word on one side, the definition on the other.

Luna: Or even better, write a simple sentence using the word.

Alex: Yes! Sentences help you remember words in context.

Luna: Step three—review every day for a few minutes.

Alex: The app will show you words right before you forget them.

Luna: So, no wasted time!

Alex: Exactly! Now, let’s move to mnemonics.

Luna: Step one—create a funny or weird image for the word.

Alex: Step two—connect that image to the meaning.

Luna: Like, for “slippery,” imagine a penguin sliding on ice.

Alex: That’s a great one!

Alex: Step three—visualize it whenever you hear the word.

Luna: The crazier the image, the better.

Alex: Now, immersion.

Luna: Step one—change your phone and apps to English.

Alex: Step two—watch shows and listen to music in English.

Luna: Step three—think in English as much as possible.

Alex: Even for simple things, like “I need to buy milk.”

Luna: And step four—speak or write in English every day.

Alex: Even if you just talk to yourself.

Luna: Or write a short diary entry.

Alex: Last method—using words in real life.

Luna: Step one—write new words in sentences.

Alex: Step two—use them in daily conversation.

Luna: Even if it feels awkward at first.

Alex: Step three—practice with a friend, teacher, or language exchange partner.

Luna: Or record yourself speaking.

Alex: Hearing yourself helps you remember.

Luna: So, let’s sum it up!

Alex: Choose the right reading materials.

Luna: Use spaced repetition to review smartly.

Alex: Make funny mnemonics.

Luna: Immerse yourself in English.

Alex: And use new words every day.

Luna: Follow these steps, and your vocabulary will grow fast!

Alex: Now, let’s talk about which method works best for different types of learners.

Luna: Alright, we’ve talked about different ways to learn vocabulary.

Luna: But not everyone learns the same way.

Alex: Exactly! Some people love reading, while others prefer listening.

Luna: So, let’s break it down.

Luna: What’s the best method for different types of learners?

Alex: First—people who love reading.

Luna: Oh, that’s me!

Alex: Then you should focus on reading-based learning.

Luna: Step one—find books, articles, or blogs that interest you.

Alex: Step two—don’t stress about every unknown word.

Luna: Guess first, then check later!

Alex: Step three—highlight useful words and write them down.

Luna: And step four—review them with a spaced repetition app.

Alex: This method works great because you see words in real situations.

Luna: Next—visual learners!

Alex: If you remember images better than words, mnemonics are your best friend.

Luna: Step one—turn every new word into a picture in your mind.

Alex: Step two—make it funny or crazy to help it stick.

Luna: Step three—use flashcards with pictures instead of just words.

Alex: And step four—watch videos with subtitles to connect words with images.

Luna: Perfect for people who need to “see” words to remember them.

Alex: Now, what about auditory learners?

Luna: If you remember things by hearing them, you need sound-based learning.

Alex: Step one—listen to podcasts, audiobooks, and songs in English.

Luna: Step two—repeat new words out loud.

Alex: Step three—record yourself saying sentences with those words.

Luna: And step four—talk to real people as much as possible.

Alex: If you hear a word enough times, it will stay in your brain.

Luna: Now, what if someone has a bad memory?

Alex: Then they need extra reinforcement.

Luna: Step one—use spaced repetition apps every day.

Alex: Step two—write new words in a notebook with example sentences.

Luna: Step three—review words in different ways: reading, writing, speaking.

Alex: Step four—connect new words to personal experiences.

Luna: Like if you learn “excited,” write “I am excited about my next vacation.”

Alex: That way, the word feels more real to you.

Luna: Last type—people who need results fast!

Alex: If you want to learn words quickly, you need high-intensity learning.

Luna: Step one—immerse yourself in English 24/7.

Alex: Change your phone, apps, and entertainment to English.

Luna: Step two—learn and use 10-20 new words every day.

Alex: Step three—speak and write in English as much as possible.

Luna: And step four—review words constantly to make them stick.

Alex: This method takes effort, but it works!

Luna: So, let’s recap!

Alex: If you love reading, read more and highlight new words.

Luna: If you’re a visual learner, use images and mnemonics.

Alex: If you learn by hearing, listen and repeat words out loud.

Luna: If you forget words easily, review them in multiple ways.

Alex: And if you need fast results, go all in with immersion!

Luna: Find the method that works best for you and stick with it!

Alex: Now, let’s answer some common questions about vocabulary learning.

Luna: Alright! We’ve covered a lot of techniques, but people still have questions.

Alex: Yeah, vocabulary learning can be confusing.

Luna: So, let’s answer some common questions!

Alex: First question—how many words do I need to know to be fluent?

Luna: Good one! People always ask this.

Alex: Studies show that the most common 3,000 words cover about 95% of daily conversations.

Luna: So, if you know 3,000 words, you can understand almost everything?

Alex: Almost! But fluency isn’t just about knowing words.

Luna: Right! You also need to know how to use them.

Alex: Exactly.

Alex: So instead of focusing on numbers, focus on learning useful words.

Luna: Next question—should I learn all the different forms of a word?

Alex: Like noun, verb, adjective?

Luna: Yep!

Alex: It depends! If a word is common, then yes, learn all its forms.

Luna: Like "decide," "decision," and "decisive."

Alex: Right! But if a word is rare, just learn the form you need.

Luna: Makes sense!

Luna: Next question—how do I stop forgetting words?

Alex: The best way is to use them.

Luna: Reading, speaking, writing—anything that makes you interact with the word.

Alex: Also, spaced repetition helps a lot.

Luna: And mnemonics!

Alex: Yes! The more connections your brain makes, the harder it is to forget.

Luna: Next question—should I learn words with or without translations?

Alex: Ooh, interesting!

Luna: Some people say translations are bad.

Alex: But honestly, it depends on how you use them.

Luna: If you always rely on translations, it slows you down.

Alex: But if you use them only when needed, it’s fine.

Luna: So, translations are okay, but don’t depend on them too much.

Alex: Exactly!

Luna: Next question—do I need to learn pronunciation with vocabulary?

Alex: 100% yes!

Luna: Some people just learn the word’s meaning and skip pronunciation.

Alex: Big mistake! If you don’t know how to say a word, you won’t use it.

Luna: And sometimes, you won’t even recognize it when you hear it!

Alex: So always check pronunciation when learning new words.

Luna: Next question—should I write down every new word?

Alex: Not necessarily.

Luna: Some people try to write down every single word they don’t know.

Alex: But that’s overwhelming.

Luna: Instead, focus on words that are useful to you.

Alex: And write them down with example sentences.

Luna: That way, they’re easier to remember!

Alex: Next question—how do I know which words are important?

Luna: Great question!

Alex: A good way is to focus on frequency lists.

Luna: Like the NGSL (New General Service List).

Alex: Yes! It contains the most useful words in English.

Luna: Another trick—pay attention to words you see and hear often.

Alex: If a word keeps showing up, it’s probably useful.

Luna: Alright, last question—how long does it take to build a strong vocabulary?

Alex: That depends on how much effort you put in.

Luna: If you study a few words every day, you’ll improve in a few months.

Alex: But if you immerse yourself in English, you can improve even faster.

Luna: The key is consistency.

Alex: Keep learning, keep practicing, and don’t give up!

Luna: And soon, you’ll have a much bigger vocabulary!

Alex: Now, let’s wrap things up with our final thoughts.

Luna: Wow, we covered a lot today!

Alex: Yeah, we went through different learning methods, step-by-step strategies, and answered common questions.

Luna: So now, let’s share our final thoughts.

Alex: Alright! First, vocabulary learning isn’t about memorizing random words.

Luna: It’s about learning words in a way that makes them stick.

Alex: Right! And different methods work for different people.

Luna: So, Alex, which method do you like the most?

Alex: For me, spaced repetition is a game-changer.

Alex: It saves time and helps me remember words long-term.

Luna: Makes sense! You like efficiency.

Alex: Of course! What about you?

Luna: I still love using stories and mnemonics.

Luna: If a word has a funny or emotional connection, I never forget it.

Alex: That’s true! You’re great at making weird word associations.

Luna: Hey, if it works, it works!

Alex: Absolutely! The important thing is to find a method you enjoy.

Luna: Because if it’s boring, you won’t stick with it.

Alex: Exactly. Learning should be fun, not a chore.

Luna: So, to our listeners—try different techniques and see what works best for you!

Alex: Maybe you love reading, or maybe you learn better through listening.

Luna: Maybe flashcards work for you, or maybe you need to use words in real conversations.

Alex: The key is to be consistent.

Luna: A little bit of practice every day is better than cramming once a week.

Alex: And don’t worry if you forget words sometimes.

Luna: That’s totally normal!

Alex: Just keep reviewing and using them.

Luna: And soon, your vocabulary will grow naturally.

Alex: Alright, before we go, we want to hear from you!

Luna: What’s your favorite way to learn new words?

Alex: Do you prefer reading, flashcards, mnemonics, or something else?

Luna: Let us know in the comments below!

Alex: And if you found this episode helpful, don’t forget to check out the full transcript.

Luna: The link is in the description.

Alex: Plus, you can turn on subtitles if you need them.

Luna: Thanks for listening, and happy learning!

Alex: See you next time!

Luna: Alright, that’s a wrap for today’s episode!

Alex: We hope you learned something useful about expanding your vocabulary.

Luna: And more importantly, we hope you had fun listening!

Alex: Learning English doesn’t have to be boring.

Luna: Exactly! Use methods that make learning exciting for you.

Alex: And don’t stress if progress feels slow.

Luna: Just keep going, and your vocabulary will grow over time!

Alex: Now, we want to hear from you.

Luna: What’s your biggest challenge when learning new words?

Alex: Do you forget words easily?

Luna: Or do you struggle with pronunciation?

Alex: Maybe you have your own favorite way to learn vocabulary.

Luna: Whatever it is, tell us in the comments!

Alex: We read every comment and love hearing your thoughts.

Luna: And if you have more questions, feel free to ask!

Alex: Also, don’t forget—there’s a full transcript available.

Luna: Check the link in the description.

Alex: Plus, we’ve got subtitles in multiple languages.

Luna: So, turn on CC if you need them!

Alex: And if you enjoyed this episode, consider sharing it with a friend.

Luna: Maybe they’re trying to improve their English too!

Alex: The more, the merrier!

Luna: Alright, that’s all for today.

Alex: Thanks for listening!

Luna: Keep learning, keep practicing, and we’ll see you next time!