Having acquired an adequate pool of words, reading is the next important step in increasing your knowledge of words, because that is how you will find most of the words you should be learning.

It is also the best way to check the words you have already learned. When you come across a word you have recently studied, and you understand it, that proves you have learned its meaning.

What should you read? Whatever interests you - whatever makes you want to read. If you like sports, read the sports page of this newspaper. If you are interested in Business, read the Business supplement every week.

Often people with very low vocabularies don’t enjoy reading at all. It’s more of a chore for them than a pleasure because they don’t understand many of the words. If this is the way you feel about reading, try reading easier things. Newspapers are usually easier than magazines.

There is no point in trying to read something you simply cannot understand or are not interested in. The important idea is to find things to read that you can enjoy, and to read as often and as much as possible with the idea of learning new words always in mind.

Ashveen Kutowaroo