Use the Oxford Picture Dictionary index to look up a word you do not know. Go to the back of the book and find your word in the alphabetical index. Locate your word by following the numbers after the word. The first number gives you the page and the second number or letter shows you the correct item on the page that pictures your word. Sometimes a word appears in more than one place.
Use the Oxford Picture Dictionary to look up and learn words by topic using the table of contents in the front of the book. Find your general topic, for example "Everyday Language." Select a subtopic, such as "School". Turn to the pages for "School," and study the vocabulary for the classroom picture.
Learn to pronounce the words using the phonetic symbols in the Index. Find the word in the Index at the back of the book. Use the Pronunciation Guide at the start of the index if you cannot understand the pronunciation spelling. If you have access to the Interactive CD-ROM at home or at school, use it to practice pronunciation as well.
Study the Oxford Picture Dictionary chapter by chapter and topic by topic, using it as a textbook. Study the first two chapters consecutively for best results. Then you can skip around if you like. Skip sections that you do not need if you'd like. Make personal flash cards by writing new words on index cards. Write the meaning and a sentence for each word on the back. Review them throughout the day.
Use the sentences and conversations you see on most pages for practice. Read them aloud several times. Practice them with a partner. Use the expressions whenever you get a chance to speak English.
Use the verb guide in the back of the book to find the past tense or past participle of a verb. When these verbs appear in the short conversations, practice changing them to past tense and to past perfect when you become more advanced. Practice with a partner.
Practice writing and spelling using one of the Oxford Picture Dictionary Workbooks. Choose the correct workbook for your level---Beginning, Low Beginning, High Beginning or Intermediate. As you do your chapter-by-chapter study, complete the writing for each section at the same time.