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Anonymous A
on May 14, 2022
Global
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How to learn new English words and expand word bank?

I am a non native English speaker working at a consulting firm. I'd like to seek tips on how to learn new words efficiently so that I can communicate more effectively on client materials. 

Are there better ways than memorizing words on a dictionary, or doing google translation? I'd like to learn advanced business vocabularies that would be used on business occations, client proposals, presentations, etc. Thanks!

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Top answer
Cristian
Coach
on May 15, 2022
#1 Rated McKinsey Coach | Top MBB Coach | Verifiable success rates

Hi there, 

I think the key here is not the materials, but how to activate your vocabulary. 

To begin with, I'd do a simple exercise. In every meeting or discussion you participate in from now on, write down the words that you hear and that you don't know or don't commonly use. Look them up, write down the translation and then make a point of using a couple of them in the next meeting or discussion. 

This is a good method because of a few reasons:

  • Requires little time and resources from your side
  • It helps you learn specifically the words you'd most often need
  • It's focused on targeted learning rather than random memorization

Good luck!
Best,

Cristian

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Lucie
Coach
on May 14, 2022
10+yrs recruiting & BCG Project leader

Hi there,

from my own experience not being a native speaker myself, I would recommend:


1. Read business articles, and news (e.g. The Economist)
2. Listen business-oriented podcasts
3. Get an English speaking teacher

Anything practical is probably better than just memorizing new words.

Good luck!

Lucie

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Deleted user
on May 15, 2022

Hi there, 

I relate to this question because I worked in consulting in my fourth language. I 100% agree with the tips given by Cristian and Lucie, that's exactly what I used to learn Italian fast. 

However, if you're already advanced, listening to podcasts and reading news articles might not be an efficient way to get exposed to new vocab, because native speakers tend to use the same terms over and over again. If it is the “top-SAT-score slash went-to-an-Ivy-league-school vocab" that you're after, I would just use specialised apps that allow you to learn many synonyms in a fun, game-like manner. I love using the app Elevate and its Speaking/Reading section to keep my English afloat (English is my second language) - it's much more efficient, I find, since I spend only 3-5 minutes a day using it. 

Good luck!

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Ian
Coach
edited on May 16, 2022
Top US BCG / MBB Coach - 5,000 sessions |Tech, Platinion, Big 4 | 9/9 personal interviews passed | 95% candidate success

For every single language I've learned I've always gone with good old-fashioned note cards. Nothing, seriously, nothing gets you more quickly ramped up w/ vocabulary than this.

When learning a language I pull them out whenever I'm on a bus, plane, etc.

In order to add to the list, I get inspired by 1) Book vocabulary 2) TV Show/Movie vocabulary and 3) Day-to-day thinking about words.

There are also great language flashcard apps like Quizlet and Brainscape!

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Clara
Coach
on May 16, 2022
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

Hello!

English wansn´t my first language either, but it´s the one that I have always used for work. 

I echo what other coaches said, and emphasis that you focus very much on the business world vocab - it doesn´t make sense to just learn more English, broadly, unfocused. 

As recommended before, reading The Economist can be killing two birds with one stone. 

Hope it helps!

Cheers, 

Clara

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Anna
on Sep 19, 2023

Hello, if you learn English vocabulary in the traditional way like memorizing it. Memorizing new words will not last long and it will take a lot of time to remember these words. I also tried memorizing this way and it didn't bring any effect. Therefore, I tried learning new words through the word finder game. And this is really helpful, my vocabulary has expanded significantly and I remember these new words for a long time.

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