How to learn advanced English words

If you’ve typed “advanced English words” into your favorite search engine, you’ve probably seen many sites that provide huge lists of words. And what are you supposed to do with all these new terms? Most likely, these sites expect you to memorize these words. If you’ve tried doing so but still can’t think of the right term when you need it, what should you do?

Quite frankly, whether or not English is your native language, memorizing vocabulary isn’t the best way to go. Along the same lines, having studied Chinese for the past few years, I’ve discovered that memorizing Chinese words also doesn’t ensure that I’ll think of the word I’m seeking when I need it.

What I have discovered is that learning new words in context—as in a scenario or a story—is an excellent way to integrate new words into your everyday vocabulary.

For example, let’s say that you and your native English-speaking friends are discussing the “meltdown” on Wall Street. Rather than trying to memorize many of the words listed in a popular “advanced English words” website, you might use several of these words to describe the collective attitude of people who manipulated the financial system. 

Accordingly, you might say, “Those brazen types exemplified avarice. With callous disregard for others who might be affected by their actions, these haughty characters connived to get as much money as possible—even when they didn’t deserve these funds. With their seemingly insatiable appetites for wealth and power, these individuals created the financial equivalent of gluttony.” The words in italics are several of the advanced English words that one or more sites suggest that you memorize.

As you can see, it’s much easier—and far more enjoyable—to add new words to your vocabulary by using them in context. By doing so, you’ll also discover that you’ll remember these terms far more easily.