The more you read, the more words you’ll learn. That might seem obvious, but it’s worth repeating. Many people think of vocabulary study as boring class work or repetitious recitals of endless word lists – not something enjoyable at all. While some effort is needed to memorize new vocabulary words or learn strategies for identifying word meanings, when you combine vocabulary study with reading, you’ll be entertained as well as educated.

One of the skills that you can develop is called “active reading.” When you are an active reader, you’re operating on two levels. On the first level, you’re reading the words on the page, one after another, combining them into sentences and paragraphs. On the second level – the important one – you’re actively thinking about what you’re reading, asking questions, and seeing words in context rather than in sequence. When you do this, you create connections in your brain between the words your eyes are seeing and the meaning of those words as they relate to your personal experience, because you’ve made yourself an active part of the text.

Making these connections is an important step in committing new vocabulary words to memory, and being confident in using them correctly in context in the future. Whether you’re reading fiction or non-fiction, a short magazine article or a six-hundred-page novel, don’t just let your eyes skim over the words. Actively participate in the exchange of information between author and audience by asking yourself questions:

• Why did the main character (or the author) just say that?
• What does the author want to say by using this word rather than another?
• Who is the author speaking to in this passage?
• What is the main point the author wants to communicate?
• Where did I see this word used before?

As always, keep a list of unfamiliar words so that you can look them up later if you don’t have the opportunity to do so while you’re reading. Afterwards, go back and re-read the text using your newly-defined word list, and see if you have new questions to ask yourself.

Don’t feel like asking yourself questions? Join a book group and get into a lively discussion with other people. Adding their perspectives to yours will expand your horizons and give you new ideas for future reading projects.