It’s no secret that to speak and write well you need to broaden your vocabulary. This task is not easy, and it is a long and continuous process that will often go beyond your preparation period for the GRE, the GMAT or TOEFL and IELTS .
The best way to expand your vocabulary is always the one that can best be adapted to your routine. If you work well by building lists of synonyms, or even lists with new vocabulary or prefer games and puzzles that eliminate the stress of the study routine, it is important: to make these activities a habit.
However, no matter what your favorite method is to work on new vocabularies, it is important that you expose yourself to quality texts that help you enrich your vocabulary organically, through context.
That’s why we came to share today some of the items on our reading list, and other cool alternatives to improve your vocabulary.
1 – The Economist
English publication in continuous circulation since 1843. The Economist figures in the reading lists of executives and CEOs of the main companies of the world.
2 – The New Yorker
Published since 1925, it is one of the leading American magazines and presents in its critical numbers, essays, investigative reports and fiction.
3 – The New Yorker Podcasts
Each week the magazine features two podcasts: “The New Yorker Radio Hour,” in which editor David Remnick conducts interviews, presents humorous profiles or discussions about subjects commented on during the week; already the second type are the readings and commentaries on poetry and fiction, as well as readings of chapters of romances and commented literary works.
4 – TED Talks
The famous TED Talks are a great opportunity to get in touch with inspirational speeches on different topics.
5 – The Atlantic
Magazine dedicated to literature, political science and the international scene. Published since 1857.
HOW CAN THESE SITES HELP YOU IMPROVE YOUR VOCABULARY?
The key here is to diversify and broaden your repertoire of possible subjects. For example, if you are a marketer, you are likely to frequently read columns on business, investments, technology news, and the like. Let’s consider these issues as your primary comfort area. It is also common for you to read about the subjects that interest you most: cinema, urbanism, design, etc. This is your complementary comfort area. These are the themes that naturally arouse your attention.
Knowing this, an interesting measure is to use the above statements as sources of texts that would not normally attract your attention. Explore the different columns and look for subjects you would not normally look for, or even themes you have not read in a while.
This is important because the texts that you will find in the tests can deal with diverse subjects such as geology, anthropology, medicine, foreign trade, etc. There is no rule, and the best thing to do is to ensure good reading ability and the ability to express yourself without problems.