HOW TO INCREASE YOUR VOCABULARY

Whether you are looking to improve your grades, seem smarter at work, or simply wanting to impress your friends, these tips will help you achieve your goal of an increased vocabulary.

You Will Need Reading material
Dictionary
Notebook
Note cards
Word-a-day calendars
Internet access
Crossword puzzles
Address book (optional)

Step 1: Read as much as you can
Read as much as you can to encounter words that you don’t already know.

Step 2: Look up the definitions unfamiliar words
Use a dictionary to look up the definitions of the unfamiliar words that you come across in your reading.

Remember a word can have different meanings. Note all of the definitions for your word.

Step 3: Keep a list of your new vocabulary words
Use a notebook to keep a list of your vocabulary words. Write the definition as well as a sentence using the word to help you remember the context.

Use an address book to keep an alphabetical list of your words.

Step 4: Make vocabulary flash cards
Create flashcards to reinforce your new words. Write the word on one side of a note card and the definition on the other. Quiz yourself by looking at the word and remembering the definition.

Step 5: Use word-a-day calendars and web sites
Make efforts to learn a new word every day. Use a word-a-day calendar and web sites to introduce you to new words.

Learn common prefixes and suffixes. These parts that come together to create words can help you figure out what a word means.

Step 6: Play word games
Play word games. Use computer games or crossword puzzles to grow your vocabulary and help reinforce the words you are learning.

Step 7: Use your new words in daily conversation
Use your new words in your daily conversations. Continue using and reviewing your words to reinforce what you’ve learned.

In 1857, British scholars decided to build a dictionary to contain all words in the English language. They created the Oxford English Dictionary, which still serves as the language’s definitive dictionary.

http://www.howcast.com/videos/349857-How-To-Increase-Your-Vocabulary

How To Increase Your Vocabulary on Howcast

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-556oxBdnh4&NR=1

WRITING AND DESCRIBING. You can learn anywhere.

EBAY, as you all know is basically a website to buy and sell items so it is essential to write a very good description of what you want to sell or need to buy. They include some hints about this which you may find interesting to read and then use in your essays, compositions, etc as thay are practical and easy to use.
This is their advice:

Writing a good title and description

Writing an effective title
What to avoid in your title
Writing an informative description
What to avoid in your description
Examples of titles and descriptions

Your listing's title and description are your advertisement; an opportunity to inform and excite buyers. A good title and description provides a clear picture of your item, which increases your chances that buyers will find and bid on or buy your item.

http://pages.ebay.com/help/sell/title_desc_ov.html

If you also want some listening practice on "Learn How To Sell On Ebay - Tips For Selling On Ebay" and get your ear working, here you can find some videos to learn some more vocabulary on descriptions:

Video Games - E3 2010

http://g4tv.com/videos/8093/EBay-Tips/




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9Mn9C-3pGI&feature=related

Hotel vocabulary

When dealing with writing and spoken skills (units 7 and 8), having a good command of hotel vocabulary is crucial. Here you are a very simple but practical website to revise your knowledge on this kind of data.

And talking about vocabulary study, I would recommend you as well to have a look at this new visual dictionary. Type a word and see its results...http://www.englishclub.com/english-for-work/hotel-vocabulary.htm

Did you like it? Post your comments if you wish it...

Describing sculptures

One of the most frequent compositions asked in Lengua Inglesa I exams for the second semester is perhaps describing a masterpiece, a building, etc. Here you are an exhibition on African art dealing with sculptures. By clicking each image, you could listen to a very detailled description of the image shown.

http://www.britishmuseum.org/whats_on/all_current_exhibitions/kingdom_of_ife/multimedia_guide.aspx

Have a look and share your experience here using the comments option.

Letter of complaint

Imagine that you are the manager of a very famous hotel. Read the whole list of topics enumerated in this page, an reply a letter of complaint of a very upset client. You could take some ideas to express your apologies from page 83 in your textbook.

http://edition.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2008/news/troubleshooter/

As you may have noticed, it have belongs to part of the travel section by CNN website, called "travelshooter".

Don't forget to do this task by using the comments option!

How to Dial a Rotary Telephone and more.

How to Dial a Rotary Telephone!

As dial telephones were introduced - replacing operator service - instructions were shown in movie theaters as to how to use the new instruments.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CIDw75mUl6c&feature=related

Telephone Doctor Customer Service Training
Telephone Doctor eLearning that addresses how the provide excellent customer service when customers are very upset.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDvEWS018nw

Learn the most common phrases and expressions for making phone calls in English. In this beginner English lesson you will see two phone conversations. You will learn how to answer the phone, how to ask to speak to someone, and how to take a message. You will also learn how to cancel an appointment and reschedule for another time.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-W6dXfm7YE


6 Quick tips to help you diffuse anger and create calm with unhappy customers. This video is part of a 25-module online video course for customer service professionals. If you'd like to learn more, please go to http://www.goldenmethod.com.




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACKbkmO9rLg&feature=related

Do you usually speak on the phone in English?
Do you call overseas or to EU and use your English?
Do you find it hard?
How do you cope with difficult and/or angry customers?
Please, do tell us!!