Reading will increase your vocabulary more than direct teaching or conversation, according to research conducted at the University of California, Berkeley. Regular reading can increase your vocabulary and general knowledge base by exposing your brain to new words and phrases. Seeing words in their context in a book or article can help seal the word into your memory. Reading 30 minutes to an hour each day can help you to improve your vocabulary and language use skills.
When you come across an unfamiliar word during a conversation or daily task, write it down on a piece of paper. This gives you access to the word later when you are in an appropriate environment to look up its meaning. Identifying the meaning of unknown words will make them more memorable. You should speak the word several times. This will familiarize your brain with the formation of the word.
Word-A-Day calendars provide a new word and definition for each day of the week. Look at the calendar each day to get your new word. Make it your goal each day to use the word at least one time in conversation. Seeing the word, reading the definition and then using the word all go a long way to helping seal the word in your mind. An alternative to purchasing a calendar would be to simply look up a new word each day in the dictionary and use it in the same manner. Many websites such as Wordsmith offer word-a-day e-mails that will also help you expand your vocabulary.
Create flashcards featuring words that you are unfamiliar to you. Write the word on one side of an index card and write the definition on the other side. Quiz yourself using the flashcards for 15 minutes each day. Seeing the words on a regular basis will help add them to your normal speech centers. Make new cards as you become familiar with the first set of words.