Improving your SAT and TOEFL VOCABULARY

Introduction: Vocabulary acquisition has been felt important for standardized testing and development of any foreign language. Educators and Academicians across the globe have dwelt unrelentingly on creation and practice of vocabulary learning strategies. Although there appear to be numerous strategies in vocabulary learning in short term and long term phases, statistics indicate that retention and grammatical use of the language has been largely found faulty. This again leads to another statistical finding that it takes nearly 15 experiences with one word for a student to truly grasp its meaning. Yet, research also indicates that repetition/retention power is relative and differs from person to person. SAT and TOEFL vocabulary is one such method of help to remove some of the burden associated with learning English as a foreign language.

TOEFL: TOEFL test can be taken on paper and also via internet. TOEFL test via internet is gaining importance as a more common method. TOEFL exam comprises four main areas of English language – Reading, Listening, Structure and Writing. Considerable command and proficiency on these four areas ensures a student fit for aspects of communication in college. It is in this regard that Vocabulary plays an important role to score pass grade in TOEFL exam. Understanding the meaning of more English words and phrases for easy communication is the criteria of these four areas of the TOEFL test which enhances your TEOFL vocabulary.

SAT: Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) is the test used by US colleges and universities to assess ability of the students seeking admission into academic study programs. This test is divided into 10 sections. Writing and critical reading sections of the test demand strong vocabulary build up in the English language.

Approach: ‘Reading’ enables the student to grasp the meaning and context of the word in which it is used. Understanding and interpretation of words used what the student hears is the role of ‘listening’ portion. Strong vocabulary ensures improve ability to figure out grammatical errors in the sentences – this is the concept of the ‘Structure’ area. ‘Writing’ segment is the comprehensive testing of command of the student on vocabulary as it involves essay writing wherein writing abilities on sentence construction, word usage and accuracy in grammar are tested.

Main focus of TOEFL vocabulary is to enable the test taker know more words for easy communication. There are many ways to accomplish this. First and foremost is reading habit. The student needs to read more English material like newspapers, magazines, fiction and periodicals etc. Then comes listening; strong listening skills with close observation of sentence formation and use of words can improve vocabulary. Writing the language and showing it to others for corrections can do wonders in improving vocabulary. Apart from this reading reference materials like dictionaries and encyclopedias etc. also help improve vocabulary.

Internet and Vocabulary quizzes: Internet is the great place for improving listening and reading capabilities. There are thousands of sites concentrating on news broadcast and live coverage of international programs which give ample opportunity to viewers to listen to great speeches and disclosures. Listening to these programs helps students to know more and more words and observe construction and formation of sentences. There are many sites concentrating on the English language where frequent quizzes are conducted on the language for the viewers to learn. Vocabulary quizzes are very important programs for students of TOEFL and SAT exams. Online vocabulary quizzes and games are the best tools to improve one’s SAT and TOEFL vocabulary with options on multiple choices. Some sites are also coming up with programs on writing sections, where tips on writing skills are imparted. Vocabulary software also has come up in the market like never before. This is also a good way to improve vocabulary.

Kevin Seocycle is a prolific writer. He has a post graduate degree in Internet Marketing strategies and has been writing articles for the last 6 years with marketing experience exceeding 2 decades. His flair for writing is manifested in the high quality articles that he writes at TOEFL vocabulary, which are original and copyright material.

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