English Vocabulary Themes

The Facts

Learning vocabulary is often a very difficult task. Research shows that vocabulary learned in topically related word 'groups' - as opposed to learning new vocabulary in random lists of new words - often improves long term learning. Linguists have also shown that vocabulary acquisition generally goes through a 'passive' stage before becoming 'active' knowledge. Bearing these two principles of effective vocabulary learning in mind, the pages below are the first of a growing vocabulary resource which takes a specific word group and develops it by starting at the beginner level, going through the intermediate level and, finally, to the advanced level. In this way, as you acquire the basic vocabulary in a group you can move on to including more particular vocabulary in that word group while, at the same time, reviewing your knowledge of previously studied vocabulary items.

The Exercises

Each target group includes the vocabulary with a short definition of each term, an example sentence and a follow-up gap fill quiz to help you practice your newly acquired vocabulary.

Pronunciation Another important part of learning vocabulary - especially for ESL EFL learners - is learning the correct pronunciation of each word. In order to help you with the correct pronunciation of the target vocabulary, a sound file is also included with the correct pronunciation of each word.

Here is the first vocabulary theme:

• Household Appliances

  All those great gadgets that we use to get our housework (not homework!) done, i.e. cooking, cleaning etc.

  • Beginner
  • Intermediate
  • Advanced

In the future, look for these pages in the vocabulary section of the various level pages:

• Beginner Vocabulary
• Lower Intermediate Vocabulary
• Intermediate Vocabulary
• Upper Intermediate Vocabulary
• Advanced Vocabulary