Determine the set of words you want to learn. You may want to start with words that you can use at your workplace or words specific to your subject of study at school. You may want to learn words related to cooking, shopping or money. Other word choices include words that you hear others using often or words that you anticipate yourself using often.
Write the words that you want to learn in a notebook. Look up their pronunciation and meaning on an online dictionary site, such as Dictionary.com. Most online dictionaries play the word for listeners. Listen to how a word is pronounced and say the word aloud. Practice the pronunciation several times.
Memorize the words and their meaning by preparing vocabulary cards. Take an index card and write the word on its front. On the back side of the card, write the translation of the word in your native language if you are non-English; the definition of the word and a fill-in-the-blank sentence that goes with the target word. For example, if your word is "dog," write its translation, meaning and a sentence, such as, "My ___ loves me." Prepare a set of 20 cards with different words and test yourself. Select a card and if the word side appears, tell its meaning and sentence. If you see the back side of the card, guess the word based on the translation meaning and sentence. Put a tick sign if you guess the word correctly and a cross if you are wrong. Repeat the game by rearranging the cards and place a tick or cross accordingly. Once you complete three ticks consecutively, place the card aside to indicate that you have learned the word.
Take practice quizzes available online. You could also ask your friend or a family member to test your vocabulary.