Are you struggling with learning high-scoring vocabulary for IELTS?
You’re not alone!
Today we answer a listener question about learning vocabulary for the exam.
Listen in for strategies you can use so that you are ready on test day!
Today’s question
I took the IELTS UKVI on 2020. I scored band 6 in speaking, 4.5 in Reading, 5 in listening and 5.5 in writing. My over all Score was band 5.5.
My vocabulary is very weak. What should I do? Looking for your advice.
–Hedayatullah
Track new vocabulary
Though it may look different for each student, it’s vital that you track the vocabulary you’re learning.
Some preparing for IELTS will keep a vocabulary notebook.
In this case, they add new words by hand as they learn them.
Others prefer a spreadsheet they can type new words into.
Organize vocabulary by topic
The goal of tracking vocabulary is to be able to use it on IELTS.
- Essays for IELTS Writing
- Answers for IELTS Speaking
If you have lists and lists of new words that aren’t organized, you won’t be able to access them for practice.
Organize them by topic so that you can use them for specific essays and answers.
Create sections for common IELTS topics.
- Education
- Environment
- Health
- Social issues
- Government responsibility
Limit new vocabulary
This may seem counterintuitive, but you must limit how much vocabulary you add to your tracker.
If you add hundreds of words each day, you won’t be able to use any of them.
Instead, add 4-5 words for every 30 min of reading or listening.
- News article
- Novel
- TV show
- Podcast
- Movies
When you are working with a reasonable amount of vocabulary, you’ll be able to add it to your active vocabulary.
Don’t overwhelm yourself or set yourself up for failure!
Which words should you add?
Be intentional about which words you add to your tracker.
You need both general vocabulary and topic-specific words.
Less common words are higher scoring.
You also need to think about whether the word or phrase will likely be useful on IELTS.
Vocabulary that is more flexible should be prioritized.
If it can be used for many different types of questions, it’s more likely to be useful on test day.
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Add vocabulary in context
One of the biggest errors students make is using vocabulary in an incorrect context.
In order to avoid this, all words and phrases should be added to a tracker in context.
Include the sentence you heard the word or phrase in when you put it in the tracker.
Add a simple definition with a synonym or two.
Include another sentence that applies to you personally.
Example:
She had a preternatural sense of timing.
Preternatural: beyond what is normal or natural; exceptional, uncanny
As a mother, I often have preternatural intuition about what my children are up to.
Use new vocabulary right away
Summarize what you read or heard using the vocabulary.
Use it in practice speaking answers and practice essays as soon as possible.
Once you can use it without checking notes, it’s part of your active vocab.
Highlight it or move it to another column to keep your list manageable.
Come back to words that have been mastered to make sure you’re remembering to use them.
Takeaway
You must be intentional about adding high-scoring vocabulary to your arsenal.
Use a tracker to keep track of and organize new words and phrases.
Be sure to use this vocabulary to add it to your active vocabulary.
You will then be ready to use it on test day!
For all the strategies you need on IELTS, sign up for our online course 3 Keys IELTS.
What questions do you have from today’s episode?
Please leave a comment below.
