Aug 21, 2024
Dictionary
Precise definitions: a dictionary will define between 100 000 to 200 000 words and provide grammatical information about whether the word is a noun, verb, adjective, adverb, preposition and much more.
Pronunciation: It will include phonetic or orthographic transcriptions to aid correct pronunciation.
Word Origin: The entry on etymology will throw light on the origin of the word and this will help deepen an understanding of it.
Examples: Dictionaries will also usually provide example sentences, showing how words are used in context.
Thesaurus
Synonyms and Antonyms: A thesaurus lists synonyms and antonyms, helping you find the right word to express your thoughts more precisely and interestingly.
Nuanced Understanding: By listing hundreds of thousands of synonyms and antonyms, arranged by closeness of meaning to the headword, you can understand the nuances or multiplicity of meanings a word or phrase has. This allows you to choose the most appropriate word for a given context.
Vocabulary Expansion: The regular use of a thesaurus will introduce you to new words and phrases in a family of words, broadening your vocabulary.
Systematic Study
Structured Learning: Studying words systematically from one end of both a dictionary and a thesaurus will ensure that you cover a wide range of vocabulary in an organized manner.
Active and Passive Vocabulary: Active vocabulary refers to the words you already know, understand, and use, while passive vocabulary refers to words whose meanings you can understand or infer by relying on contextual clues. By becoming ever more familiar with new words, you will make them part of your active vocabulary in due course. Imagine the confidence this will give you when the words you need come readily to mind!
Contextual Mastery: The more you use both a dictionary and a thesaurus, the more readily you will begin to understand how a particular word with a close meaning is used in varying contexts, and you will consequently improve your overall language proficiency, comprehension, writing skills and general communication competency.
Interactive testing: By using a dictionary and a thesaurus systematically from one end and taking regular interactive tests over the course of a year, you will build your vocabulary by getting instant feedback on your grasp of the words.
It will not matter if you get every answer wrong. Why? You will be given the right answer instantaneously. This will help you note down the question and its answer. Compiling a list of words to revise is a great way of targeting problem words. Furthermore, It’s a proven way of learning.
The result of each test is for you. It’s your quality assurance.
You can also think of an interactive test as a kind of word puzzle. You can get hooked on it. The more tests you take, the stronger will be your grasp of words and their meaning.
It will be acceptable even if you keep your dictionary and thesaurus close to you when taking the test. You can use a highlighter to mark the words you need to give further attention to.
The weekly tests are meant to give you frequent feedback.
Vocabulary Examination: A vocabulary examination will be invigilated, and the result achieved given on a certificate. This will be to submit with an application for acceptance at a tertiary institution. This is something you can consider at the end of each year.
My Journey: I intended to pursue history because I was so good at it. English was a problem for me. I heard the first English word at age seven. When I qualified as a teacher in 1967, I had to teach English. This compelled me to buy the Shorter Oxford Dictionary. I had to use it extensively. I wish I had been given a dictionary and a thesaurus when I was still in the primary school. What a huge difference that would have made.
Love the dictionary and the thesaurus and you will get plenty of love back. Take it from me that that is what will happen.
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