IN THE NAME OF GOD

IMPROVING YOUR TOEFL VOCABULARY

READ A LOT

One of the best ways to build your vocabulary is to read authentic English language material. You should read material that a college student would read. Examples of such material are newspapers, college text books, encyclopedia articles, magazines, and academic books. Any material that has academic theme will help you get used to the kinds of words and the style of writing you will find on the TOEFL. Reading articles on a variety of topics of interest to you will help you develop your vocabulary.   

MAKE FLASH CARDS 

As you read, you will find new words that you will want to learn. One good way to learn words is to make flash cards. Use small cards made of thick paper, such as index cards. The cards should be small enough to fit in your pocket. On one side write the new word, then on the back write a synonym for the word. You may also want to note the meaning of the word. Review these cards as often as you can, perhaps with a friend who is preparing for the TOEFL.

You will be able to build a large "sight vocabulary" by using this method. Do not be concerned if you are unable to actually use these words in conversations you have in English. With time, they will become a part of your active vocabulary. Your ability to use new words is not as important as your ability to recognize new words and their meanings.

MAKE WORD LISTS

Another good way to learn new words is to make word lists. Many students use a small notebook for this purpose. When you discover a new word, add it to a list of words to be learned. On one side of the page, list the new word. To the right of the new word, write a synonym for it. Study the words by covering the synonym, looking at the new word. And recalling the synonym. It is also useful to reverse the process so that you practice both the new word and the synonym.

LEARN WORDS FROM OLD TOEFL

Learn words that have been tested on previous TOEFLs. The underlined words on previous toefl tests are sometimes tested again, but they frequently appear among the four choices presented as synonyms for new words that are tested.you can find words to put on your flash cards or word lists on any TOEFL tests that you may have. TEOFL tests can be found in the TOEFL test kits available from educational service.

LEARN TO USE A THESAURUS

Become familiar with thesaurus. A thesaurus is a dictionary of synonyms. When you find a word that you don't know, look it up in a thesaurus. Note a synonym for the word on a card or a word list. If you find a synonym but still don't know the meaning of the word, look it up in an English language dictionary. If you can not find the word in the thesaurus it will not be tested in the TOEFL. The TOEFL tests only those words that have a variety of synonyms.

Vocabulary building strategies:

1. read often. Choose material that is written for college level readers.

2. make flash cards of new words with synonyms and practice them often.

3. make word lists of new words with  synonyms and practice them often.

4. learn words that have been tested on previous  TOEFLs.

5. learn word roots. Prefixes and suffixes.

The end