If you dream of going abroad to study or settle down, you may have to take an English language test to demonstrate your English proficiency. Each of these exams, PTE, IELTS, DUOLINGO English Test, or CELIP, have one thing in common: the speaking and writing tests. That requires an immense grasp of grammar and an advanced English vocabulary.
But how to build an advanced English vocabulary if you are not a native speaker? More so, you are Indian. And most of your English sentences sound like, Arey, that day, that happened, no? It was very funny, no!
Happened to the best of us, yes. And to improve our vocabulary, most people tell us to watch English movies. Which does help to a certain extent. Most of the Millenials and GenZ I know love watching English movies, mostly dubbed or with subtitles. This kills the joy most of the time. Either you are reading the subtitles or looking at the characters' expressions. And don’t even get me started on the Hindi or regional dubbing of English movies. That is a topic for another whole day.
So, what does work?
What is it that will bring you closer to your dream?
Well, I do have a few tricks up my sleeve.
Let’s see how we can build our English vocabulary as an Indian.
Learn One Adjective a Day
Learn one verb daily and start using it while talking to everybody in each context.
Here is an example to help you understand how you can incorporate this adjective in your mind.
If your word of the day is Ebullient (overflowing enthusiasm or high spirits), you can use it like this.
Morning Conversation (with a colleague):
You: "Good morning! I was in a presentation today. Everyone loved it. It was so ebullient! The speaker's passion and his energy was truly contagious."
Afternoon Conversation (with a friend):
Friend: "I am drained and exhausted with work today!"
You: "Tell me about it! Deadlines can be so draining. But hey, let's grab coffee after work and unwind. Maybe some caffeine will make us feel a bit more ebullient."
Evening Conversation (with family):
- Family member: "How was your day?"
- You: "It had its ups and downs, but overall, it was pretty good. This project was challenging, but my team is so ebullient and supportive we figured it out together."
By focusing on using one adjective throughout the day, you:
- Solidify the meaning: Using the word helps you internalize its definition and nuances.
- Understand context: Using the word in different contexts reinforces how it can be applied in various situations.
- Build confidence: The more you use the word, the more comfortable you become with it, increasing your confidence in expressing yourself.
This is just one day. But by being consistent with this method, you will gradually expand your vocabulary. You can even increase your learning while the days pass by increasing the number of words a day every week.
Read 10 Pages of a Book Every Night
Most of us do not have a habit of reading before bed but trust me, it will help like crazy. Try reading your favorite book. My favorite is A Song of Ice and Fire. It can be an autobiography, fiction, nonfiction, or medieval fantasy, like my most loved genre. Choose a genre that keeps you engaged so that you maintain the habit until your English language proficiency exam date.
You will get:
- Exposure to new words.
- The context of how to use new words.
- Sentence formation techniques.
- How to use different voices in different situations.
- Enjoyable learning experience.
- Great retention of words.
Convert Your Catchphrases in English
We've all used handy Hindi catchphrases or takiya kalam to quickly get the point across. This is because of our nuanced shared understanding.
These expressions build your everyday conversations from a surprised "Kya baat hai!" to a reassuring "Tension mat le!".
But what if we convert them to English? You will eventually get in the habit of using the English catchphrases in various contexts. This will help you a great deal in your English proficiency speaking test.
Let us look at some common examples.
#1 When you wake up, it is morning (jab jaago tab saveraa)
Literal Translation: “Whenever you wake up, that’s your morning.”
Similar English Proverb: “Better late than never.”
#2 The half-filled pitcher keeps overflowing (The half-filled pitcher keeps overflowing)
Literal Translation: “A half-filled container spills more water.”
Similar English Proverb: “An empty vessel makes the most noise.”
#3 If you don’t know how to dance, the courtyard is crooked (naach na jaane aangan tedha)
Literal Translation: “Not knowing how to dance but calling the courtyard crooked.”
Similar English Proverb: “A bad workman blames his tools.”
#4 The thief scolds the police officer (The thief scolds the police officer)
Literal Translation: “When caught, the thief scolds the policeman.”
Similar English Proverb: “Pot calling the kettle black.”
#5 If there is life then there is the world (jaaj hai to jahaan hai)
Literal Translation: “If there is life, then there is the world.”
Similar English Proverb: “Health is wealth.”
Conclusion
So, this is it, for now. I will surely be back with more tips. For now, remember, practice is the key. The more you practice for your English language test, the closer you will be to your dream life.
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