This document provides information and strategies for improving IELTS vocabulary. It discusses how vocabulary accounts for 25% of writing and speaking scores and emphasizes the importance of collocations. Collocations are sequences of words that commonly go together. The document recommends learning collocations in chunks through active reading and writing. It also provides sample essay sentences that can be modified for different topics. TED Talks are suggested as a resource for learning topic-specific vocabulary. Finally, the Academic Word List is introduced as containing common words in academic texts. Learning strategies include spacing repetitions, using context, and memorizing phrases.
3. VOCAB =
25%
OF YOUR SCORE
IN WRITING AND SPEAKING
USE :
COLLOCATIONS
: a collocation is a
sequence of words or terms that co-occur more often
than would be expected by chance (Wikipedia).
TSV : TOPIC SPECIFIC VOCABULARY
AWL : ACADEMIC WORD LIST
4. COLLOCATIONS
1. IMPROVE YOUR FLUENCY (speaking and writing)
2. Make your essay easy to follow
3. IMPROVE COHESION
4. SHOULD BE LEARNT IN CHUNKS: 'noise pollution',
not noise + pollution
5. HOW TO LEARN COLLOCATIONS:
Look for groups of words used
naturally together
ACTIVE READING
– underlining / circling (collocations)
6. Write down the WHOLE
sentence in which they appear.
Get them into your ACTIVE
VOCAB QUICKLY -HOW?
Use them when you write or
speak.
8. WE CAN MEMORISE SENTENCES THEN INTERCHANGE COMPONENTS
DEPENDING ON THE ESSAY QUESTION:
The issue of __X__ in western / African countries
has grown in importance over the past few decades.
The issue of __X__ in most continents
has fallen in importance over the past few years.
9. REVERSE THE MEANING
AIDS / INCOME EQUALITY is one of the most
dangerous problems facing lesser developed nations
today.
TECHNOLOGICAL DISRUPTION is one of the most
exciting opportunities facing developed nations today.
10. CHANGE THE PERSON
However, in my view this solution is rather
controversial and other solutions need to be
found.
However, from a general view point this
solution is rather impractical and other
solutions need to be found.
11. UNIVERSAL SENTENCES
FOR THE BODY PARAGRAPH
(USE WITH CAUTION)
It is undeniable that ______ is one of the most
challenging issues in the western world.
There are also studies being performed on a world level
to discover the source of these these important
problems.
One solution proposed by the _(insert global
organisation)___ is to_________
12. UNIVERSAL SENTENCES
FOR THE BODY PARAGRAPH
(USE WITH CAUTION)
It is fairly easy to comprehend the arguments why this
proposal has been made...
There would be at least two facets to this proposal...
There is also, however, a strong argument not to
implement this proposal...
13. TO GIVE AN EXAMPLE:
A recent study by the IMF shows that 50% of ____ is/are _____
A recent study by NATO shows that 10% of ____ is/are _____
A recent study by the NCPCC shows that 10% of ____ is/are
_____
It is widely assumed that...
21. Sublist 1 (The top 60)
Analyze (analyse) • approach • area • assess • assume • authority •
available • benefit • concept • consist • constitute • context • contract •
create • data • define • derive • distribute • economy • environment •
establish • estimate • evident • export • factor • finance • formula •
function • identify • income • indicate • individual • interpret • involve •
issue • labor (labour)• legal • legislate • major • method • occur •
percent • period • policy • principle • proceed • process • require •
research • respond • role • section • sector • significant • similar •
source • specific • structure • theory • vary
22. Tips for learning the words
-Focus on retrieving the information (From: www.victoria.ac.nz)
-Make a presentation in Quizlet
-Try to memorise a WHOLE PHRASE this way you will also get the
grammar structure at the same time -the next time you can
interchange the nouns, or the verbs
Language is 'the infinite use of finite means'.
Wilhelm von Humboldt
23. Process the words thoughtfully so that the depth of learning is better.
Use techniques which encourage you to
make a lot of
associations with the words you are learning.
For example, think of language contexts and situational
contexts in which you could use the words.
(From: www.victoria.ac.nz)
Learn them in context (THROUGH TED TALKS?)
24. Space the number of repetitions of the words you are learning
because spacing repetitions results in longer lasting memory.
(From: www.victoria.ac.nz)
1. Study the words – one 20 minute blast
2. Take a 3 minute break
3. Review the words
4. Take a break
5. Review the words
6. Take a 1-2 hour break
7. Review the words
8. Leave it for more hours
9. Review the next day / days / week
Memorise words or phrases, try memorising the translation in your
own language.