Proven Strategies to Improve Your English Vocabulary Through Reading

Today, you’re going to learn some of the most important strategies that can help you improve your English vocabulary through reading.

And these strategies actually work.

In fact, I have used most of them myself to improve my English reading skills, increase my vocabulary, and move from intermediate to advanced.

So whether you’re a beginner or an advanced learner, I hope you get a lot of value from the strategies shared in this post.

Here are the 11 most important strategies to follow when reading to improve your English vocabulary:

1. Choose diverse reading materials

When I first started my journey to improve my English vocabulary through reading, I made the mistake of sticking to just one type of material: science and technology articles. While I enjoyed the topics, I found that my vocabulary wasn’t expanding as quickly as I’d hoped. It wasn’t until I diversified my reading list that I noticed a significant improvement.

Make sure to read a wide range of materials, including novels, news articles, blog posts, and even comic books. Each type of content exposes you to different writing styles, genres, and vocabulary words.

For example, when reading a novel, you encounter literary terms that you wouldn’t normally find in a science article. Similarly, comic books often use colloquial expressions and slang that help you understand more informal language.

Tip: Use online resources like Readingify or Goodreads to find popular titles in various categories, such as mystery, science fiction, or non-fiction.

2. Read at the right level

Don’t make the mistake of diving into books that are far beyond your comprehension level. I remember picking up a classic novel, thinking that the more challenging the text, the more I would learn. However, I quickly found myself overwhelmed by the complex language and unfamiliar words, which left me feeling discouraged and demotivated.

Reading at the right level is crucial for effective vocabulary acquisition. If you encounter more unknown words than known words per page, the text may be too difficult, and you might lose motivation.

Tip: Challenge yourself gradually. Reading slightly above your comfort level will push you to learn new words while providing enough context to understand the overall meaning

In Readingify, you can easily check the number of known and unknown words before opening the text.

3. Use context clues

When coming across an unfamiliar word, using context clues is an effective way to deduce its meaning without disrupting your reading flow. For example, while reading a novel, I encountered the word “perambulate.” From the surrounding text, which described characters walking leisurely through a park, I could infer that “perambulate” meant to walk.

When you encounter a word you don’t know, try to infer its meaning from the surrounding context. Look for hints in the sentence or paragraph that can help you deduce the word’s definition. This skill will serve you well in situations where a dictionary is not readily available.

Tips: Don’t focus solely on the unknown word. Read the whole sentence to see if the meaning becomes clearer when considering the context.

Always try to make an educated guess about the word’s meaning based on the context clues. You can always confirm your guess later with a dictionary if needed. In Readingify, you can simply click a word to get its meaning or translation.

4. Keep a vocabulary journal

By consistently maintaining a vocabulary journal you will notice a significant improvement in your English vocabulary. The act of writing down new words, understanding their meanings, and using them in your own sentences can make a profound difference in your ability to communicate effectively.

This simple yet effective strategy has greatly enhanced my word acquisition and retention. Whenever I come across a new or unfamiliar word while reading, I save it to my “study words” in Readingify, so I can study it later or easily identify it when encountering it again.

Tip: Choose a format that works for you. Whether it’s a physical notebook, a digital note-taking app, or a spreadsheet, select a format that you find convenient and easy to maintain.

5. Employ the spaced repetition technique

Spaced repetition is a powerful technique for long-term retention. After adding a word to your vocabulary journal, revisit it at increasing intervals (e.g., 1 day, 3 days, 7 days, 14 days). This approach helps move the word from your short-term to your long-term memory.

Here’s how to implement this technique: Whenever you come across a new word while reading, jot it down in your vocabulary notebook along with its definition. Then, set up a schedule to review these words repeatedly over time.

For example, you might review a new word the day after you learn it, then three days later, a week later, two weeks later, and so on. Each time you review the word, try to recall its meaning and use it in a sentence.

Tip: To make the most of this technique, I recommend using a spaced repetition app like Anki or Readingify. These tools allow you to create digital flashcards and set up automated review schedules.

6. Learn the Pronunciation of the Word

Always make it a point to learn the pronunciation of a new word you encounter while reading. This step is crucial because knowing how to say the word correctly helps you remember it better and use it confidently in conversations.

One effective way to do this is by using online dictionaries that provide audio recordings of word pronunciations. Another helpful technique is to type the word on Google Translate and listen to its pronunciation.

Readingify is also incredibly helpful in this regard. Whenever I encounter an unfamiliar word, I click on it within the Readingify interface, and it instantly provides me with the word’s meaning and, more importantly, its pronunciation.

Tip: Record yourself saying the word and compare it to the native speaker’s pronunciation to identify areas for improvement.

7. Engage with the text actively

Actively engaging with the text is crucial. It’s not enough to simply read the words on the page; we need to interact with the material to truly absorb and retain new vocabulary.

One strategy I use is to ask myself questions as I read. For example, if I come across a word I’ve recently learned, I might ask, “How does this word fit into the overall meaning of the sentence or paragraph?” or “Can I think of other contexts where this word might be used?”

By challenging yourself to think critically about the vocabulary, you are more likely to remember it in the future.

Tip: As you read, actively engage with the text by asking questions, making predictions, and summarizing main ideas.

8. Read aloud

Reading aloud can help you internalize new vocabulary by engaging multiple senses. As you read, pay attention to the pronunciation and intonation of unfamiliar words. This practice can also improve your speaking skills and confidence.

One of my favorite ways to implement this technique is by selecting a book or article that interests me on Readingify. I first listen to the audio version for a section. Then, as I read, I try to pronounce each word clearly and as close as possible to the audio version.

The combination of seeing, saying, and hearing the words has proven to be a powerful way to make new vocabulary stick.

Tip: Read at a moderate pace, enunciating each word clearly. This helps with pronunciation and comprehension.

9. Incorporate new words into your writing and speaking

The best way to solidify your understanding and retention of the newly acquired words is to actively use them in your writing and speaking. Composing sentences or paragraphs with the new terms makes the words a more permanent part of your active vocabulary.

One strategy I found particularly effective was making a conscious effort to incorporate these words into my daily writing. Whether it was in emails, blog posts, or my personal journal, I challenged myself to use at least one new word each day. This practice made my communication more precise.

Tip: Keep a personal journal in English, where you can use the words you’ve learned during the day to record your observations and thoughts.

10. Embrace extensive reading

Extensive reading involves reading large amounts of text for pleasure, without focusing too much on individual words. By immersing yourself in the language and encountering words repeatedly in various contexts, you’ll naturally absorb new vocabulary over time.

One of my favorite ways to practice extensive reading is by using Readingify. As I read, the app automatically highlights words that I don’t know, making it easy for me to identify and save them for later review. This allows me to continue reading without interrupting my flow, knowing that I can easily find and study the saved words later.

Additionally, when I encounter a saved word again in the text, it is highlighted in a different color, reminding me that I have previously saved it. This visual cue reinforces my memory of the word and helps me recognize it more easily in the future.

Tip: Choose materials that align with your interests. When you read about topics you enjoy, you’re more likely to stay motivated and engaged.

11. Discuss your reading with others

Engage in discussions about the texts you read with friends, classmates, or language partners. Talking about the content and using new vocabulary words in conversation reinforces your understanding and helps you retain the information.

By incorporating regular discussions about your reading into your learning routine, you’ll not only improve your vocabulary retention but also deepen your understanding and appreciation of the material.

Tip: Join an online book club or reading group where you can regularly discuss your reading with others who share your interests.