🍒Enriching Vocabulary🍒

*Vocabulary*

Vocabulary is also called as word storage or word power. Having a powerful and huge vocabulary isvery important. Without vocabulary, there will be monotony I.e using one word again and again that's very boring. When you've a large number of words in your mind, you'll be able to master and polish the skills of reading, writing, listening and above all, speaking. Vocabulary gives a helping hand in all the four skills of any language. Although it takes ample time and practice to enhance vocabulary, but it's very important and it should be done in order to be good at all the skills.

❤❤ *_Strategies for improving/enhancing vocabulary_* ❤❤

There are a number of methods/strategies through which we can improve our vocabulary or word power. Some of them are given below:

⭕⭕1. *_Read, read, read and read_* ⭕⭕

The very first and foremost strategy/way of enhancing/improving vocabulary is reading. Through reading, on one side, if a person gets knowledge and information, on the other hand, vocabulary is also improved through reading. While reading, a person comes across a bundle of new (unfamiliar) words. When he/she searches their meanings, vocabulary is improved.

👉 Reading may include:

➡books

➡newspapers

➡magazines

➡journals

➡columns

➡articles

➡essays

➡stories

➡novels

➡poetry etc etc.

⭕⭕2. *_Using dictionary_* ⭕⭕

Another method of improving vocabulary is to use dictionary. When you come across an unfamiliar word, search it in the dictionary and it'll be added to your word power.

⭕⭕3. *_Using thesaurus_* ⭕⭕

A thesaurus is a dictionary, which, apart from providing only meanings, also gives synonyms and antonyms of a word. One can improve vocabulary by using thesaurus.

⭕⭕4. *_Watching Movies_* ⭕⭕

This can also improve vocabulary. By watching movies and dramas, one comes across a lot of new words and thus vocabulary is improved.

⭕⭕5. *_Discussion_* ⭕⭕

Another strategy for improving vocabulary is to discuss. Discussion may be in class, home, hostel etc. When you reads, watch or come across  something, discuss that with others and hence you'll get a lot of new words.

⭕⭕6. *_Synonym_* ⭕⭕

Synonyms are words having same meanings. When you come across a new word, search its synonyms and thus, many other words will be added to your vocabulary.

*Example*

Lets take the word *Beautiful*. If we search its synonyms, we'll get many words like:

➡nice

➡awesome

➡pretty

➡handsome

➡delightful

➡pleasing

➡attractive and many others.

⭕⭕6. *_Antonyms_* ⭕⭕

Antonyms are words having opposite meanings. Like searching the synonyms, when you come across a new word, search its antonyms as well. And there will be many words added to your word power.

*Example*

Lets take the word *Bad*. Its antonyms include:

➡good

➡well

➡fair

➡better

➡nice

➡great etc etc.

In this way, vocabulary can be improved.

⭕⭕8. *_Paramonteau_* ⭕⭕

It's a method of enhancing vocabulary in which parts of two different words are combined a new word if formed.

*Example*

👉1. We've two words *Hotel* and *Motor*. Now when we take parts of both of these words, we'll get a new meaningful word I.e *Motel*

👉2. *breakfast* and *lunch* are combined as *brunch*.

👉3. *Smoke* and *fog* are combined as *smog* which is also a meaningful word.

In this way, one can improve/enhance vocabulary.

⭕⭕9. *_Talking with native speakers_* ⭕⭕

When we talk with native speakers, we will learn many new words from them. Therefore our vocabulary will be improved.

⭕⭕10. *_Using play cards_* ⭕⭕

This is another strategy for enhancing vocabulary. When you see a new word, write that on a play card and memorize it. It'll enhance your vocabulary.

⭕⭕11. *_Acronyms_* ⭕⭕

Acronyms means the abbreviated forms of words. Some word are abbreviated and when we learn their original (unabbreviated) names, our vocabulary will be built.

*Examples*

👉 UNO is the abbreviation of United Nations Organization.

👉 WHO stands for World Health Organization. Etc etc.

⭕⭕12. *_Homonyms_* ⭕⭕

Homonyms are words, which are same in spelling but different in meanings.

*Example*

👉One *Bank* is that of money while another *Bank* is the side of a river etc.

So *Bank* and *Bank* have same spellings, but they are different meanings. 

When we learn such words, it improves our vocabulary. 

⭕⭕13. *_Homophones_* ⭕⭕

Homophones are words having different spellings but same pronunciation. 

*Example*

*Some* and *Sum* are different in meanings and having same pronunciation. So when we learn such words, our vocabulary will be improved.

⭕⭕14. *_Polysemy_*

Polysemy means words having many meanings.

*Example*

👉Fair means justice and 

👉 Fair means beautiful.

Similarly:

👉 Bear means to tolerate, to be patient and

👉 Bear is the name of an animal.

So when we use this strategy I.e searching for other meanings of words, our vocabulary will be improved.

⭕⭕15. *_Listening to news_* ⭕⭕

Listening to news, specially the standard channels like BBC, CNN etc also helps us improve our vocabulary.

⭕⭕16. *_Word formation_* ⭕⭕

In my point of view, this one is the best strategy for building vocabulary.

Word formation means when you come across a new word and you form many other words related to that word.

*Example*

For instance if you came across the word *prove* in a book, make other words related to it. Like

➡proved

➡proving

➡improve

➡improved

➡proof etc etc. In this way, you'll have a number of new words. 

⭕⭕17. *_Using prefixes and suffixes_* ⭕⭕

Putting prefixes and suffixes with words also help in building vocabulary.

7 Cs of Communication

1. Clear: Make the goal of your message clear to your recipient. Ask yourself what the purpose of your communication is.
2. Concise: Your message should also be brief and to the point. Why communicate your message in six sentences when you can do it in three?
3. Concrete: Ensure your message has important details and facts, but that nothing deters the focus of your message.
4. Correct: Make sure what you're writing or saying is accurate. Bad information doesn't help anybody. Also make sure that your message is typo free.
5. Coherent: Does your message make sense? Check to see that all of your points are relevant and that everything is consistent with the tone and flow or your text.
6. Complete: Your message is complete when all relevant information is included in an understandable manner and there is a clear "call to action". Does your audience know what you want them to do?
7. Courteous: Ensure that your communication is friendly, open, and honest, regardless of what the message is about. Be empathetic and avoid passive-aggressive tones.

🌼English Pronunciation 🍒

*The 44 Sounds*
 🗣🗣🗣🗣🗣🗣🗣🗣🗣

The English language is a tricky language to learn.  There are  total of 44 sounds.  Some sounds are straight forward and some seems to make no sense at all.  With every sound, your mouth is doing something special.  Your tonge, teeth, lips and breath work in flawless harmony with each other.

 
🗣5 Short-Vowel Sounds
 
short /a/ in apple
short /e/ in elephant
short /i/ in igloo
short /o/ in octopus
short /u/ in umbrella
 
🗣6 Long-Vowel Sounds
 
long /a/ in cake
long /e/ in feet
long /i/ in pie
long /o/ in boat
long /u/ (yoo) in mule
long /oo/ in flew
 
🗣18 Consonant Sounds
 
/b/ in bat
/k/ in cat and kite
/d/ in dog
/f/ in fan
/g/ in goat
/h/ in hat
/j/ in jam
/l/ in lip
/m/ in map
/n/ in nest
/p/ in pig
/r/ in rat
/s/ in sun
/t/ in top
/v/ in van
/w/ in wig
/y/ in yell
/z/ in zip
 
🗣7 Digraphs
 
/ch/ in chin
/sh/ in ship
unvoiced /th/ in thin
voiced /th/ in this
/hw/ in whip *
/ng/ in sing
/nk/ in sink
* (wh is pronounced /w/ in some areas)
 
🗣3 r-Controlled Vowels
 
/ur/ in fern, bird, and hurt
/ar/ in park      
/or/ in fork
 
🗣Diphthongs
 
/oi/ in oil and boy
/ow/ in owl and ouch
/oo/ in cook and pull
 
🗣Special Sounds
 
/aw/ in jaw and haul
/zh/ in television
🗣🗣🗣🗣🗣🗣🗣🗣🗣🗣

🌼Linguistic Schools of Thought🌼

The Four Main Linguistic Schools of Thought

It would probably be useful to start out by explaining exactly what “linguistics” means. Linguistics, to put it simply, is the study of languages, but in a scientific way. This means not just looking at the meaning of words in a language, but at how the language is formed, the contexts it is used in, and much more. Since it is the scientific study of languages, there are, of course, numerous schools of thought related to it. Here are four of the most well-known linguistic schools of thought:

1. Functionalism

This first school of thought focuses on how language is actually used in everyday life. Those who abide by functionalism look at language as just another tool for humans to use, and thus tend to focus on the function language and its different parts have in our lives. The theories of functionalism focus on phonological, semantic, syntactic, as well as the pragmatic functions of language. Functionalism emphasizes the importance of social context, usage, and the communicative function of the grammar, phonology, orthography, and more, of a language.

2. Structuralism

Based on the work of Ferdinand de Saussure of Switzerland, structuralism is an approach to linguistics that focuses on the idea that languages are fixed systems made up of many different units that connect with each other. This school of thought marked a shift from historical linguistic analysis to non-historical analysis. Later on, other linguists would come to see structuralism as rather out-of-date. It worked for phonology and morphology, but the theories it proposes don’t make as much sense as the ones proposed by new schools of thought. Saussure was aware of the fact that, in his time, he would not be able to get a good understanding of the human brain, and so left that to future linguists.

3. Generativism

The work of Noam Chomsky became the basis for the generativism approach to linguistics. It was originally a way to explain how humans acquire language in the first place, but soon it came to be used to explain the different phenomena that occur in all natural languages. The generative theory of language suggests that, in its most basic form, language is made up of certain rules that apply to all humans and all languages. This led to the theory of “universal grammar”, that all humans are capable of learning grammar. All of this was developed in the second half of the 20th century, with Noam Chomsky taking into account the work of Zellig Harris as well.

4. Cognitivism

The last linguistic school of thought on our list emerged in the 1950s as a reaction to generativism. In basic terms, cognitivism says that language emerges from human cognitive processes. It challenges “universal grammar” by suggesting that grammar is not something that all humans can inherently understand, but rather it is learned by using language. In this sense, it is a bit similar to functionalism. However, the main focus of cognitivism is how language is based on meaning that the mind creates.
✒✒✒✒✒✒✒✒✒

🌼Tips to Improve your English🌼

18 top tips for improving your English

1. Watch television and films in English

2. Read English books/newspapers
3. Label things in your house
4. Make notes of new vocabulary
5. Surround yourself with English speakers
6. Figure out your best time to learn
7. Listen to British and American music
8. Language swap
9. Practise English whenever you can
10. Record yourself and your lesson
11. Get a good bilingual dictionary
12. Learn English idioms and phrasal verbs
13. Write every day
14. Tell you teacher what you want to learn
15. Remember your mistakes
16. Put yourself into difficult situations
17. Change the language on your social media or smartphone
18. Be realistic

----------------
1. Watch television and films in English

Not only do Britain and the USA produce some of the best TV shows and films in the world, but you can learn English whilst watching them. If you’re still getting to grips with the language at any level (from beginner to upper intermediate) then it’s worth putting the English subtitles on so that you can read along and listen at the same time.

You can also listen to English radio stations and find plenty of listening sources on the internet. Another idea would be to put English subtitles on films or television programmes from your own country so that you can read along with them in English and make the translations as you go.
---------------------
2. Read English books/newspapers

Reading is a great way of practising your English in your own time. You can take one word at a time at your own pace, without your teacher peering over your shoulder. If you’re studying at a beginner to intermediate level, pick up a children’s book where the language will be easier than an adult book.

Newspapers are also worth reading. Not only can you improve your English but you’ll learn about local and national goings on, which can be handy when communicating with native speakers. Free newspapers and magazines, as well as tabloid-style newspapers which use more basic language, are perhaps better for low level speakers.
-----------
3. Label things in your house

This is a quick and cheap way of improving your knowledge of the vocabulary of everyday items in your home. All you need to do is buy a pack of labels and then write the name of items in your home on them, such as phone, window, mirror etc. Every time you use these objects you’ll read the word and embed it into your memory. This is great for low level learners.

-----------
4. Make notes of new vocabulary

Whenever you learn a new word, whether in the classroom or when you’re out and about, make sure you make a note of it. Whenever you have some free time, you can practise what you’ve learned. You could even do this on your phone so you needn’t carry around a notebook with you.

It’s also worth making a note of the translation into your own language and any unusual phonological aspects of the word.

------------
5. Surround yourself with English speakers

If you just spend your time outside of the classroom with people from your own country, you’ll miss out on a big chance to practise English. If you try to befriend other English speakers, you’ll be forced into speaking the English language. You’ll also pick up things like slang and conversational English that you’re unlikely to learn in the classroom.

If you struggle to find English speakers, at least try and spend time with people off your course that are from countries other than your own. This way, you will still have to speak English.
--------------------

6. Figure out your best time to learn

Are you a morning or afternoon person? If you can work out when your brain is at its sharpest then you should cram in your language learning at this time. Some people work best first thing in the morning and switch off after lunchtime, while for others it takes a while to get going every day.

Think about when you function best and plan your learning to suit this. For example, there’s no point taking lessons that run late into the night when you’re likely to easily lose concentration.

-----------------

7. Listen to British and American music

In addition to watching films and TV, listening to music is another great and fun way of improving your grasp of a language. There’s an almost endless amount of music out there to choose from, with most tracks having lyrics easily available online.

You could listen to a song a day and read the lyrics along to it. If you come across any language that you don’t understand then research it. If you’re at a low level then perhaps go for some slower folk, country or acoustic music, which often has lyrics that are slower and easier to understand.

Once you’re feeling more confident you could go for some rap music, which is generally a lot quicker and harder to understand.

-------------------

8. Language swap

In addition to learning English in class, you could find somebody who is keen to learn your own language and exchange information with them. Being able to speak a language is a gift and, whatever your mother tongue, there will be somebody out there that wants to learn it.

You can meet up and give each other work, swap knowledge and help each other progress. This is a great way of continuing your learning outside of the classroom while also saving money.

-------------------

9. Practise English whenever you can

It’s incredibly important that you don’t leave your English learning inside the classroom. Make an effort to go to the library and study your notes, read and write in English, and speak to English nationals and other English speakers.

When you’re in bed at night, look over your English notes from the day and try to memorise some vocabulary as you’re falling asleep. The first thing you do in the morning while you’re eating your cereal could be to learn a couple of new words. Make sure you never escape learning.

-------------------------

10. Record yourself and your lesson

Make the most of the recorder on your smartphone and practise pronunciation. This is a good way of learning pronunciation because you might know it when you first hear it then forget it later.

Although your teacher might not like you to do this, and you should always get their permission, it can be useful to record lessons. As you travel home or fall asleep you can listen to it. It’s a great way to revise the information and practise listening, as well as nail down some pronunciation.

--------------------------

11. Get a good bilingual dictionary

A bilingual dictionary is your best friend while you’re learning English. However, beware that a lot of dictionaries out there have numerous mistakes and mistranslations. Do some research and spend a bit of extra money on the best dictionary you can find.

It’s also worth bearing in mind that a number of online translators and electronic dictionaries on smartphones can be quite poor. Teachers will find it very obvious if you simply put something through a translator – it’s normally literally translated which doesn’t always work.

------------------------------

12. Learn English idioms and phrasal verbs

There are a number of aspects of the English language that you’re not always going to find in an academic course book. Things like idioms and phrasal verbs are extremely common in everyday English conversations.

If you manage to learn these then you’ll find it much easier to talk and understand conversations with native speakers. Although this is not the kind of language you’re likely to use in an academic essay, it’s arguably just as important to you.

-------------------------
13. Write every day

Writing is a great way of using new vocabulary and getting your head around grammar. Try and write something every day using new words and grammar that you’ve learned. Even if it’s only a few sentences, it’s very important to get into the habit of doing this.

It’s also a good way of comparing your progress as you improve your knowledge of the English language. If you have access to English speaking friends or a teacher, you could ask them to look over your writing and give you some pointers.

-------------------------
14. Tell you teacher what you want to learn

If you’re learning English in a language school or getting private lessons, you might not always be learning what you want. However, it can be difficult for your teacher to know exactly what you want to learn unless you tell them. So if you think that they’re giving you too much writing and not enough pronunciation, for example, then you should tell them. They’ll be pleased with the feedback.

----------------------
15. Remember your mistakes

You will make mistakes, there’s no denying it. Chances are that you’ll make the same mistakes over and over again. Next time that you’re corrected by a teacher, whether this is written or orally, you should make a note of your mistakes.

Perhaps you forget when to use the correct article or you get the past simple and present perfect tenses mixed up? Make a note of this and work on your mistakes.

--------------------------

16. Put yourself into difficult situations

If you search out situations where you must speak, read and listen that are outside of your comfort zone, you’ll be forced into using the English language. This can be one of the best ways to learn English because you really focus on what you’re saying and it gets you used to uncomfortable situations.

Try and order some food at a restaurant, speak to someone at a tourist information centre or just start chatting to a native speaker in a bar. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Getting something wrong is actually a great way of understanding why it works a certain way.

-----------------------

17. Change the language on your social media or smartphone

Have you ever accidentally changed the language on a device or on a website and then struggled to get it back again? We’ve all been there before. However, this can actually be a good way of learning an additional language. If you turn your Facebook, Twitter and smartphone settings to ‘English’ then you can continue to learn the language while you’re communicating with friends.

--------------------

18. Be realistic

It’s extremely common for language learners to want to better their English at an unrealistic pace. Set yourself objectives but be genuine in what you can achieve. Your teacher is just there to tell you things and practise with you for a few hours a day. It’s your job to remember and correctly use what you are taught.

You cannot expect to just turn up to class for a few weeks and be able to speak the language. You must engage in lots of work outside of class and use your brain as much as possible.

The word Run has 650 meanings

Do you know a three-letter English word that has over 650 meanings??
🏃🏻‍♀🏃🏻‍♂🏃🏻‍♀🏃🏻‍♂🏃🏻‍♀🏃🏻‍♂🏃🏻‍♀🏃🏻‍♂🏃🏻‍♀🏃🏻‍♂
Yes! One word has over 650 meanings. The word is *RUN*

Here is a prose sample of the meanings of run. Hold your breath for you are about to be *stunned*.

Context is everything. Think about it: When you *run* a fever, those three letters have a very different meaning than when you *run* a bath to treat it, or when your bathwater subsequently *runs* over and drenches your cotton bath *runner*, forcing you to *run* out to the store and buy a new one. There, you *run* up a bill of Rs 850/- because besides a rug and some cold medicine, you also need some thread to fix the *run* in your stockings and some tissue for your *runny* nose and a packet of milk because you’ve *run* through your supply at home, and all this makes dread *run* through your soul because your value-club membership *runs* out at the end of the month and you’ve already *run* over your budget on last week’s grocery *run* when you *ran* over a nail in the parking lot and now your car won’t even *run* properly because whatever idiot *runs* that parking apparently lets his custodial staff *run* amok and you know you’re letting your inner monologue *run* on and on but, God—you’d do things differently if you *ran* the world. Maybe you should *run* for office.

By the way, did it ever *run* through your mind that RUN could *runaway* in so many directions?
🏃🏻‍♂🏃🏻‍♀🏃🏻‍♂🏃🏻‍♀🏃🏻‍♂🏃🏻‍♀🏃🏻‍♂🏃🏻‍♀🏃🏻‍♂🏃🏻‍♀