When it comes to learning a new language or expanding vocabulary in one they already know, many wonder which method is the best way to succeed. Should you focus on reading or practice decoding the meaning of words??
The answer is not simple and depends on several factors, such as one’s language level and individual learning needs. In this article, however, we will take an in-depth look at both methods and discuss what advantages and disadvantages they have.
First we focus on decoding words. This method is especially helpful when you see or hear a new word for the first time and have no idea what it means. By figuring out the meaning based on context and other language skills, memory is activated and the word is better retained in long-term memory.
In contrast, there is reading as a method to learn vocabulary. This focuses on reading texts, books or articles to naturally expand your vocabulary. This method has the advantage of giving a broader context, thus improving the understanding of a language in general.
In this article we will take an in-depth look at both methods, highlighting differences, advantages as well as disadvantages, to help you practice your vocabulary skills more effectively.
Decoding versus reading: The path to vocabulary learning success
There is an important difference between decoding and reading when it comes to building a vocabulary. Decoding is identifying and understanding an unknown word by analyzing its components and combining their meanings. Reading, on the other hand, is knowing a word and recognizing and understanding it in a text.
Decoding words is an important first step in vocabulary learning, especially for beginners who are learning basic word structures. An example of this is the word "bicycle", which is made up of the two components "ride" and "wheel". Once you are aware that "ride" means "to move and "wheel" means "roundness or "circle" it is easy to imagine that "bicycle is a means of transportation with two wheels.
Nonetheless, care should be taken to rely only on decoding words and not on pure reading. Many words have meanings that cannot be derived from their components – like the word "average". In this case, one should learn the word as a whole and grasp its meaning in context.
In summary, the road to success in vocabulary learning emphasizes the importance of decoding words, but one must not neglect the skill of reading. Both of these skills are essential to building an extensive vocabulary.
Why a strong vocabulary is important?
When learning languages, it is essential to build a strong vocabulary, as this is the basis for understanding texts and using correct expressions. Without a sufficient vocabulary, reading texts becomes difficult and understanding conversations is limited.
It is important to note that there is a difference between decoding and reading. Decoding refers to identifying letters and words, while reading means understanding the meaning of a text. To read text effectively, vocabulary must be sufficient to understand words and phrases that may not be familiar.
To build a strong vocabulary, there are several strategies that can be used. This includes reading books, watching movies and series in the target language, and learning new words and phrases through vocabulary learning. It is advisable to use different methods regularly in order to continuously expand your vocabulary.
- BM25: An important search engine optimization method that identifies the most relevant keywords in text.
- Zakon Zipf: A law that states that the frequency of a word in a text is proportional to its rank.
A strong vocabulary can be useful not only in language learning, but also in other areas, such as work and travel. It enables more accurate and precise communication and helps avoid misunderstandings.
Overall, the stronger the vocabulary, the easier it is to understand and use the language.