Why do I feel like my vocabulary isn't improving?

Do you actively try to use the words in your daily life? Or try reading something harder that makes you look up more words. And if English it your second language, yes the amount you use it is a factor.

practice helps, and I hear for non-native English speakers it is extremely important. Just keep immersing yourself all the time

The more you use the language, the easier it will be for you. The easiest way to learn (in my opinion) is total immersion. That means you, and the people around you use only English.

Immersion is desirable. TV counts, depending on what you watch (try science shows, or art criticism or higher-quality new/discussion programs.) Also, there are many theories about learning, and it seems that rote rehearsal is not the most efficient way to learn. It’s much better if there is some cognitive processing going on, so you may want to start think of synonyms and antonyms each time you learn a new word.

See it; Do it; Teach it – read the word and make sure you understand its meanings and usage; use it daily or as frequently as possible in all contexts; teach someone else what it means and how to use it.

Immersion, immersion, immersion.
I heard that if you put a child in an environment where they are ‘forced’ to speak a foreign language to their own, then they will become fluent in 3 weeks!

amazing really.

but it is no different of adults, just keep using it whenever you can, speak for no reason!

It takes time. I know first-hand it can be frustrating, so just be patient and keep on doing what you’re doing :)

@Blackberry , yes:) I do.

@snowberry , I think I am going to try that.

Idk my bff Thesexier

Maybe you’ve just hit a wall. Learning a foreign language is terribly difficult as an adult, and I’m not saying you can’t continue to improve, but you might find it taking more and more work to make less and less progress.

@dpworkin , wow that was really difficult for me to understand:( I can’t understand a single word:( can’t you make it more easier to understand?

thank you @bob_ :):):)

@erichw1504 , huh?

I had a teacher who suggested that to improve your vocabulary, you should have a dictionary in the bathroom and you should read it, just like book or novel whenever you use said room.
Of course you don’t need to only utilize the rest room for this.
Just start reading the dictionary in your free time. Skip around to different letters…

@Thesexier Translation: I don’t know my best friend forever Thesexier.

It’s “text speak” that people use when texting other people from their phone or online.

@erichw1504 , hahah I know what bff means but I just dont understand your meaning when saying : idk my bff thesexier:S

@Thesexier It’s from a cell phone commercial. Anyone have a Youtube link for it?

Maybe you’re making no effort to improve it. Are you interested in words? Do you look up or google new words that interest you as you come across them? Try it—it’s fun.

And if it is an issue of English as a foreign language, do you do this [google new words] in your own language?

Are you curious about where words and expressions come from? New words should be a fun little side trip on your information highway.

I think you’ll get more out of it if you look up the hard words yourself.

@erichw1504 , ah ok:)

@anartist , yeah I do. The book I am reading is Making you mind up by Jill Mansell

You’ve been reading some books and stuff?

That is not enough reading. Read more.

The more you read, the greater your vocabulary will be – and choose all kinds of books, including poetry (especially poetry).

About not speaking 24/7, the thing about learning anything is that practice makes perfect. The more you practice, the better you’ll be. I can’t tell you how many hours a day you should be speaking English… just that the more you practice, the better you’ll be.

Try books and other stuff

@nicobanks , I’ve been reading the Jane Eyre novel, some books after Charlotte Bronte etc. Are those good enough?

Good enough for what? Just keep reading. Those are great books, yes – but no one book will undermine the need for you to read many books. Practice, practice, practice…

@nicobanks , Ok thanks ;:) I am off to read my book (making your mind up):)

Your English is better than some native speakers I know ^_^
My advice for vocabulary expansion: attend workshops and read journals of specialization like science and engineering journals.

The suggestion to read the dictionary is a good one. Sometimes, I still read the dictionary after looking up a word. but then I’m a geek and I know it You should also have a good thesaurus and read it too.

You can also subscribe to A Word A Day

Also, try Free Rice A non profit that feeds the hungry based on your knowledge of words.

Anytime you read anything and don’t understand a word: write it down and look it up, hopefully sooner rather than later. Then try to use it in your daily language.

Also when you read, read out loud. Even if you don’t have the experience of talking to another person, reading aloud will give you skills that you won’t get any other way, and your tongue will get better and better at pronouncing the words. It’s especially helpful if someone can be there to correct your pronunciation while you read. Whatever you need correction on, write down on a piece of paper and practice those words separately.

Perhaps you may see more vocabulary improvement by writing in English. Fluther is a good way to practice reading and writing in a conversational tone, but also try writing short passages every day that are descriptive or directions. It doesn’t have to be lengthy, but work on converting your working vocabulary in your own language into written English.

I had no idea from your posts on Fluther than English not your primary language.

WOW TH READING THE DICTIONARY THING IS KINDA WEIRD BUT I’LL TRY IT ON SUNDAY:)
TOMORROW I AM GOING TO TRY AND READ (THE PROFESSOR BY CHARLOTTE BRONTE) IN ONLY A DAY AND SEE HOW MUCH I’LL UNDERSTAND.
I’VE STARTED TO WRITE WORDS I DON’T UNDERSTAND IN A NOTE BOOK AND THEN LOOK THEM UP IN THE DICTIONARY.(AND I ALSO WRITE THEM IN MY OWN WORDS THAT I UNDERSTAND:)

Waiting to look them up removes the immediacy of the inspiration and connection to the context. If you are near a computer when you are reading, look them up as you come across them. They will st5ick better and it will be more fun.

@Thesexier That’s a great plan. Also try to use those words in every day conversation, several times each. The more you use your new words, the faster they will become part of your every day vocabulary.

This method is good for vocabulary acquisition regardless of what language you are trying to learn.

It probably is, actually.