Studying Vocabulary MSU – ELC, EAP 223 Academic Reading

Unpack the Problems Not studying properly or enough Stuck at root words. Vocab is so much more than “roots”. “acquire” does not mean the same thing as “acquisition”. These words function differently. Your vocab acquisition is limited to definition memorization only. Ex. AWL 2: Part 1, poor. Part 2, excellent. You are not thinking of the USE of the word when studying in order to acquire the word.

1. Be Slick and Predict Grammar surrounding the blank (noun, verb, adjective, etc.) “Her speech had a big _________ on audiences.” a.Affect b.Effect

2. Match-up Word Pairings Collocations –which word commonly occurs with the words around the blank. “Conducting a __________ is one effective way to obtain research data” a.Conclusion b.Survey

Grammar/Collocation EX. “My dream is to ___________ the same status in business as Steve Jobs.” a)Acquire b)Acquisition –“–tion” (change of a verb to a noun; indicates state, condition, result, action, process) Cannot occur: “to _____-tion something”. This takes us to... Context!

3. Plug it in! Context! –Once you have chosen your answer, plug it into the sentence and make sure that it makes sense! –You chose acquire based on knowledge: the word “acquire” the grammar “…is to “do” something…” the sentence contextual meaning –“The jury was able to arrive at a _________ and make a verdict.” a)Conclusion b)Community

4. Unlock the Clues More Context! –Key words/phrases for context people, places, things, etc. What can these do? “The _________ of new team skills over the summer made Jim a better football player.” a)assistance b)acquisition –Key words/phrases for meaning opposite meaning: but, in spite of, despite, regardless of, etc. “We make a __________ between different cultures with regard to food, housing, and family.” a)distinction b)conclusion c)survey

5. Examine the Mood More Context! Identify subject, tone, mood, attitude, details, etc. –“Women are questioning their _______ roles in society as wives and mothers.” a)obtained b)traditional c)affect d)achieve

6. “Jail” the Detail Mr. Detail

7. Check It Out! When you have completed the test, go back and check your work, especially the matching section!

8. Practice Write your own sentences. Use the AWL online practice. especially fill-in-the-blank Study more than just the definitions! A good, ESL, English-English dictionary will have more than just definitions! Translators aren’t enough anymore. Write out diagrams, charts, phrase maps, etc. Try something new to learn something new. Speak more English than your L1!