How to Improve Your Reading and Vocabulary Skills

The aim of this article is to offer step-by-step instructions on how one can improve their reading and vocabulary skills. The target group is from elementary to high school. These are the guidelines I give my student when instructing them on how to improve their vocabulary and become better readers.

As you read your novel or story book, highlight the words you don't know so that you don't loose where you are in the passage or on the page.

Secondly, write the highlighted word(s) down in a note book or on a notepad. Then write the page number down beside the word(s).

Now look up the word(s) in a dictionary and then write down the definition in your notepad/book next to it.

Repeat first three steps until you have finished reading the first chapter.

Then go back and review the vocabulary words and practice writing them in sentences.

From your word list try to group words in themes, this should help you memorize new vocabulary words more quickly. This could be words with similar meanings, what is called a Synonym (words that have the same or a similar meaning, but a different spelling, i.e. STOP and STAGNANT).

Try focusing on prefixes and suffixes and find examples in the novel or book you are reading. Underline and try to understand the root word, the prefixes or suffixes.
Prefix - A word or part of a word that is placed at the beginning of a word to change its meaning.
For example: bicycle - bi-cycle
Where bi means two (in this case that would refer to the wheels on the bicycle).
Suffix - A word or part of a word that is placed at the end of a word to change its meaning.
For example; hopeless - hope-less.
Where less means without.

Try to come up with the antonyms (words that have opposite meanings, i.e. HOT and COLD).

Tips & Warnings

• 1. I would also suggest reading in a quiet space where there are no distractions like a TV. or even music. However, that's up to you.
• 2. Most people become a part of a book club so that they can share ideas and thoughts about the books they've read. It is also a great way to be introduced to a wide genre of books that you would not have normally read on your own.
• 3. I would strongly recommend using the word in your daily conversations until it becomes an active part of your vocabulary.
• 4. Also, learn the vocabulary in themes (e.g.; synonyms, antonyms etc.), because this is a great way to remember the words and or commit them to memory.