Using Current Affairs to Develop IELTS Vocabulary (Part 2)
In Part 1 of this blog series, we identified the benefits of building your IELTS vocabulary and why it may be a good idea for test takers to form a keen interest in current affairs.
Remember, though, that keeping abreast of the latest news will not automatically turn you into a wordsmith.
How to boost your IELTS vocabulary
Here is some advice to help you build sufficient vocabulary for the test.
- Do not learn words in isolation
There is enough evidence to underline the fact that it is a lot more rewarding to learn words in chunks than in isolation. Collocation is an area that your Examiner will rate you on, which means your grasp of the relationship between words is important. When you spot a new word that you would like to learn, look for other words that collocate with it. That way, you will get more bang for your buck!
- Be on the lookout for useful language
News stories are normally full of catchy vocabulary. You may be tempted to learn a new word or phrase that appears fancy, but always ask yourself this first – will it help you in the IELTS test? If the answer is a no, move on without hesitation.
- Organise the vocabulary you wish to learn
Motivate the learner in you; record new vocabulary in a way that makes learning easy and structured. If you are new to this, a quick Google search should fetch you more ideas than you would possibly need.
- Discover activities that can help you use new language
While it is important that you record new vocabulary diligently, you IELTS band scores will depend mostly on your active vocabulary, i.e. words you can use when you speak or write. Search online for activities that might help you retain new vocabulary better.
- Find news stories that interest you
Do not feel pressured to follow trending news stories. Instead, choose topics that are appealing so that you do not lose interest midway. That said, always have one eye on news items related to common IELTS topics so that you get rewarded for your efforts with a high IELTS band score on vocabulary.
Lastly, remember to learn a little every day and have fun doing it. You are more likely to retain language that way.