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HOW TO USE VOCAB. TREES FOR LEARNING VOCABULARY

One of the best ways to learn vocabulary is by the use of ‘Vocabulary trees’ or, simply, ‘Vocab Trees’. Unfortunately not many people are aware of their benefits or how to use them even though they are pretty simple to understand and utilize. If you want to try a different, fresher and better approach to your regular routine for learning vocabulary, there’s no better way than to star creating vocabulary trees. This short step-by-step will guide you on how to make them.

Before we start, let’s make sure you know what vocabulary trees are. Vocab trees are simply the techniques of grouping applied to vocabulary building. You learn by picking up and memorizing words in groups (based on common attributes). Because our mind responds better to learning in context, you are able to learn more words in a shorter amount of time and with higher levels of retention. Here’s how to start creating your own vocabulary trees:

1. Select a subject of your interest

It’s good to pick a topic that you’re genuinely interested in. This will help you form the trees and also enhance your overall vocabulary learning.

2. Start writing about it

On a sheet of paper, write down a passage or two on your chosen topic. Try to use as many relevant words about it as you know. Also include variations (such as synonyms) for the words you use.

3. Create a Vocabulary Tree

Write down your chosen subject in the middle of a separate sheet of paper. Surround it by as many key words related to it as you can (use the passages you wrote about it in Step 2 to aid you). To make it even easier for you to learn vocabulary, categorize the key words. You could use one corner of the paper for adjectives, one for nouns and yet another for all the verbs related to the subject. You can connect the words, by lines, to the subject (hence making them its branches).

4. Expand your tree

Now that all of the vocabulary related to your subject is neatly organized on your paper, try to think up more words to add to your categories (verbs, nouns, adjectives). If your native language is other than English, make a tree for the same subject in your own language. You will have more words for it and you could look up English equivalents for them to put in your English Vocab Tree.

5. Get Creative

Throughout the process of making your vocabulary tree, your mind is constantly picking up and retaining the words you use. You can make the process even more effective by some creative additions. You could draw your vocabulary tree like a real tree (put the words in leaves?) and even use crayons to separate, and easily recognize, your adjectives from your verbs.

Vocabulary Trees are an effective and fun way to learn vocabulary. Try them out and you will surely love your new method of vocabulary learning.