Will reading a dictionary for 30 mins help me improve my english vocabulary?

Question

Will reading a dictionary for 30 mins help me improve my english vocabulary?

Yeah Im 15 and i got my important exams coming up in a few weeks time, my english teacher told me i was failing because of my vocabulary, and sentence length.. how can i improve my english vocabulary, will reading dictionary help? thanks

Answer 1

Some days to improve your vocabulary:



1) Get familiar with Latin and Greek roots, prefixes, and suffixes. Once you get the basic building blocks, you'll start recognizing them in other words.



Here are some good books to get (they include etymologies - study of word origins):

30 Days to a More Powerful Vocabulary

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/30-Days-to-a-More-Powerful-Vocabulary/Wilfred-Funk/e/9780671743499/?itm=22



Word Power Made Easy

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Word-Power-Made-Easy/Norman-Lewis/e/9780671741907/?itm=14



2) Read, read, and read! Of course, you should read literary classics, but find something you like to read. It doesn't matter what you read. If you're interested in sports, read the sports page. If you're interested in comics, read comics. Reading words in context will help you understand their meanings.



3) If you are more of a visual learner, write the word on an index card and draw the meaning. That way, you can link the word and meaning together.



4) Say the word aloud, spell it, and visualize it.

5) Use the word in a sentence.

6) Put the definition into your own words.



Good luck!

Answer 2

Really my opinion is that you should just look up words that are unfamiliar to you. I don't think you should just read the dictionary and pick out words randomly. A thesaurus would probably be a pretty good thing to look into as well considering when you look up an unfamiliar word it gives you other words related to the one you looked up or that have the same/about the same meaning. This is very helpful if you are writing a paper and you want to sound more sophisticated. And also reading books like Shakespeare will help with your understanding of English and literature.

Answer 3

i odnt suggest reading a dictionary because its boring and doesn't make much sense a BOOK that is a lil bit above your reading level will do ALOT more for you



most important thing you can do is READ, READ and READ



I wasn't born in the US i moved here when i was ten 8 years ago I didnt speak any english at all but I was home schooled and I read a lot I built up my Vocab. I dont like reading but I did it for Vocabulary building. because even if you're reading a book and you dont know the big words the context of which it is used you can easily come up with the meanings. so i suggest READ, watch Discovery channel and educational shows!!!

Answer 4

Go directly to your English teacher and tell her you want to improve....that's your first point in favor! Secondly ask your teacher if he/she will give you a list of 6-10 words a day that you can study and learn to use in sentences. In other words...a little extra credit and being polite while asking for help will go a long way in helping you pass this course. Good luck!

Answer 5

Read quality literature and study how they are saying things. A dictionary will not help, it will be a jumble of words without context.

Good luck I hope you do well.

Answer 6

Yes

Answer 7

There are better ways to improve your vocabulary./



See below

Answer 8

tricky step. seek at yahoo. that can help!