AboutLaura Expertise I can help with questions about research projects, literature, and writing for middle school and high school. I can also help with on-line resources and integration of technology in learning.
Experience I am a certified library media specialist and language arts teacher.
Education/Credentials MEd Instructional Technolgy- 1999 Arkansas Tech University
BA English- 1995 University of Central Arkansas
Expert: Laura Date: 5/14/2005 Subject: i feel dumb plz help
Question hi, ive been having this issue for about my whole life, i always feel un-smart for having a unexpanded volcabulary. like im 17 and im about to finish high school but its embarressing for asking people like, what does that word mean or this word, so i want to know if theres anything on the web that can help me exercise, expand, and help spelling websites ?? if u could help me i would apprecaite it a lot because u dont know how much this would help me and boost up my confidence. thank you
Answer Hi,
I am going to guess you are not going to like this answer, but artificial vocabulary builders are not terribly helpful in the long term. The best way to learn more vocabulary is to read a lot with a dictionary nearby. Get a hard back college level dictionary. You should be able to find one in the neighborhood of $25. Or go to your public library and pick one up from the reference section. Then go to the magazines (periodicals). There are magazines for every subject, so pick up one that interests you. Read it. Look up any words that you don't know and can't figure out from the context. You might even find it helpful carry a small notebook with you to rtecord your progress. It may also help to make up a sentence of your own using the word.
Do this every few days. If you run out of magazines, ask the librarian to help you find book on the same subject.
Next try using the words you have looked up in conversation with someone. This is not an easy program to work through. But research shows that this is the only way that works in the long term to build your vocabulary.
If you are determined to use a program, there are several nice SAT prep programs that can you can use, but I don't know any that are free.
