1. Learn in Context
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Read regularly: Books, articles, short stories, and even social media posts.
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Watch movies/shows in English: Note how words are used in real conversations.
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Listen to podcasts/audiobooks: Hearing new words in context helps cement them.
2. Use Active Learning Techniques
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Keep a vocabulary notebook or app: Write the word, its meaning, an example sentence, and pronunciation.
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Use flashcards: Apps like Anki or Quizlet help with spaced repetition.
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Make example sentences: Use new words in your own sentences.
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Group words by theme: E.g., travel words, academic words, emotions, etc.
3. Review Regularly
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Use spaced repetition: Review words after 1 day, 3 days, 1 week, 2 weeks, etc.
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Test yourself: Quiz yourself weekly using your flashcards or notebook.
4. Use the Words
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Write essays, messages, or journal entries using new vocabulary.
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Speak with others (language partners, tutors, or apps like HelloTalk or Tandem).
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Try shadowing: Listen to a native speaker and repeat after them using the same vocabulary.
5. Use Tools and Apps
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Dictionary apps: Oxford, Cambridge, Merriam-Webster.
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Learning platforms: Duolingo, Memrise, Babbel.
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Browser extensions: Use tools like "Google Dictionary" to learn new words while browsing.
Extra Tips
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Focus on high-frequency words first (e.g., from the General Service List or Academic Word List).
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Learn collocations (words that go together, like “make a decision”).
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Avoid cramming. Daily exposure and practice work better than trying to memorize long lists.