TOEFL Vocabulary Building: Strategies for Effective Preparation

TOEFL Vocabulary Building: Tips for Effective Preparation

1. Memorization does not work:

In a general perspective, it is observed that while preparing useful TOEFL words or TOEFL vocabulary lists, many students start learning difficult words and then read them again and again from the lists that they usually make, however, this does not help them use the words. So instead of cramming, one should write the sentence using the word in a personal journal and then try to use the same word in daily language practice.

For example: If you have just read the word “reluctant” and if this is new to you, then you must first understand the meaning of this word and then frame a sentence using this word. So, here the meaning of the word reluctant is unwillingness, and the sentence will be – “My friend is reluctant to attend the party organized by her external family members.” You will observe that if you frame a sentence using the new word, your power of retention will be stronger and you will be able to use the word in future too.

Considering the above description, think of a sentence using the word reluctant and write it in your journal.

2. Listing of the topics and reading and listening to authenticated material:

As you are preparing a list of TOEFL vocabulary words, you should first think of topics that you are less aware of. It is generally noticed that one may be good in health-related vocabulary but might have low knowledge about art or fashion. In this context you should focus on reading/listening to more contextual reading text/listening to documentaries on the same topics, written/spoken by native English writers, this will make your mind not get bored of the reading/listening and your interest will help you acquire more vocabulary.

Example: If you read/listen to “Food” as a topic, you would come across words like cuisines, starter, appetizer, sensuous feast, citrusy delight (used for a drink), slicing the fruits, drizzling the top of the ice-cream….

Now think of a dish you would like to describe using the above words, note the same in your journal to retain it.

3. Connecting words:

These are most important to know and help in all the modules of the TOEFL exam. The words that connect ideas from one sentence to another are called connecting words. In addition, moreover, furthermore, are some considerable examples of connecting words. You must remember to use these words in your TOEFL writing task to make your writing task look more organized. People generally get confused and either overuse them or use them with a wrong understanding. So, first, make a list of some connecting words and apply the strategy given in the first step.

While doing this, also list down sequential words like firstly, secondly…. And understand that they should also be used in a proper context in your TOEFL writing module.

4. Transitional words:

Often people get confused between connecting words and transitional words, however, there is a big difference. While connecting words connect the two sub-points of the main point, transitional words help you move from one point (aspect) to another.

A perfect example of this would be: In an essay, as you start describing your first stance after the introduction of the topic, you should start your paragraph with transitional words like: To commence with/ To begin with… and you may conclude your writing by mentioning transitional words like: In conclusion, and then start concluding the point.

5. Synonyms and Antonyms:

This is really easy to build. Now, you cannot just read/listen all the time; to refresh ourselves, we need to socialize. Play a word game with anyone in English, the rule of the game is to collect 3 words which mean the same and one opposite word for the given word.

You may play this game with family members, friends or join any native English-speaking group to find people ready to work with you. Spend around 15 minutes doing this, and you will see a change in your TOEFL word vocabulary. Do not forget the personal TOEFL Word journal we mentioned above.

6. Lexical range- adverbs and adjectives:

Lexical resources are nothing but the rich vocabulary words which are used to describe the topic. Using correct adjectives and adverbs makes an impact on your TOEFL writing as well, and if you have proper vocabulary, you will be able to understand the TOEFL reading module passages in a better manner and infer accurate answers. Here again, we would request you to take a general list of adjectives and adverbs from any authenticated English vocabulary book and start the game.

This time, take a twist in your game, select a topic for building vocabulary on it, now either read an authentic literature text on it or listen to a native English speaker's podcast on it and make a note of all adjectives used by the author/speaker. The next step is you should be able to create your own story describing the topic you have just read/ heard in your own words using the adjectives just collected and the addition of certain adverbs to it. This will help you research more and build on the TOEFL vocabulary.

7. Practice makes you perfect:

Language enhancement is not magical, so you need to have patience and keep practising. Regularly revise from the personal journal you have made.

8. Stay motivated:

Do not forget your dream of studying abroad, so be consistent and optimistic. Relax and refresh yourself with mindful activities.

Why is Strong Vocabulary Important for TOEFL?

A strong vocabulary is essential for performing well on all sections of the TOEFL exam: reading, listening, speaking, and writing. It helps you comprehend difficult academic books and provides proper answers to questions in the reading portion. You can listen to lectures and discussions without becoming lost or missing important topics if you have a large vocabulary. You may communicate your thoughts boldly and precisely when you choose the right words while writing or speaking. Using a variety of relevant terms makes your remarks sound more professional and engaging, which examiners will surely notice. Simply said, a big vocabulary improves not just your comprehension but also the quality of your replies. Your overall level of English proficiency is displayed, which is crucial for getting high TOEFL results.

10 Effective Strategies for Building TOEFL Vocabulary

1. Immerse Yourself in English Media
   Engage with books, magazines, podcasts, movies, and TV shows in English. Consistent exposure to authentic materials enhances vocabulary and understanding of word usage in real contexts.

2. Choose Topics You Enjoy
   Focus on reading, watching, and listening to content that interests you. This keeps you motivated and makes the learning process enjoyable, while also improving retention of new words.

3. Write Regularly in English
   Maintain a journal, participate in a language exchange, or write essays. Writing helps reinforce newly learned vocabulary and enhances your ability to use words in context.

4. Use Flashcards and Spaced Repetition
   Leverage flashcard apps with spaced repetition systems (SRS) to review words at optimal intervals. This proven technique helps transfer new vocabulary into long-term memory.

5. Learn Vocabulary Through Context
   Instead of memorizing isolated words, study them within sentences or real-life examples. Understanding context makes it easier to recall and use the words appropriately.

6. Analyze Words and Their Parts
   Break down new words into roots, prefixes, and suffixes to understand their meanings and parts of speech. This approach helps decode unfamiliar words more effectively.

7. Avoid Translation
   Resist translating words into your native language. Instead, focus on understanding their meanings in English to think and communicate directly in the language.

8. Create a Vocabulary Log
   Write down unfamiliar words you encounter. Regularly reviewing this log reinforces learning and helps track your progress over time.

9. Optimize Study Sessions
   Study in short, focused sessions during the morning or before bed in a peaceful environment. These times enhance focus and memory retention.

10. Experiment with Learning Techniques
    Try various strategies for memorizing vocabulary, such as mnemonic devices or word associations, to discover what works best for you. Continuously reviewing words solidifies your learning.

TOEFL Preparation Enhancement eBooks

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About the Author:
Pooja Aggarwal is an experienced immigration expert with over 15 years of expertise in helping students achieve their educational goals. With a degree in Education, she focuses on clear, patient, and personalized instruction. Her approach has successfully guided students from diverse backgrounds, preparing them for both Academic and General Training modules of various exams in a supportive and engaging environment and also selecting the right country and courses.