CHUNKING: How to improve your vocabulary using what you already know!

There is a great deal of information on the internet about the best methods of improving your vocabulary, but how do you select the most appropriate method of learning new words? What you need to remember is that everyone has their own way of Learning and you need to work out how you personally learn best. An important aspect of language acquisition is CONSISTENCY, you must introduce new words and recycle them frequently to consolidate them. Also, you should use various methods so that Learning is both varied and fun.

What no language learning method can take away is the importance of effort and motivation, it can be really hard work at times but the rewards are limitless.

The newest trend in language learning is CHUNKING! Instead of focusing on individual words, learners should group new words into phrases of 3-4 words and then use them in a variety of ways so that they can be applied to numerous contexts. This method was sited by Michel Thomas (an Austrian language expert) who created ground breaking methods of learning vocabulary in a way which allows the learner to manipulate language and create their own sentences based on an intricate understanding of how language works.

 

FOR A GREAT WAY TO PRACTICE CHUNKING, SEE OUR POST HERE

 

  For example:

Tener ganas de – be eager (infinitive) I am eager to go on holiday.

Estar a punto de – be just about to I was just about to say that.

Siempre que – as long as I will go to the party as long as you come with me.

Para que – so that I worked a lot so that I could go home early.

Con el fin de – in order to I am going to study in order to pass the exam.

En cuanto/tan pronto como – as soon as As soon as I met you I was in love.

Para cuando – by the time By the time I was home, the dinner was ready.

 

The steps to success with chunking:

1. Identify what you wish to learn

2. Form various phrases with them

3. Apply them to several contexts

4. Recall and recycle them frequently