Language serves as a powerful tool to express our thoughts, emotions, and ideas. Therefore, expanding one’s vocabulary is invaluable, as it gives us a broader palette of expressions and nuances to use in our daily lives.
Expanding your vocabulary is not only beneficial for effective communication but also enhances cognitive abilities and boosts confidence. While there are numerous ways to improve vocabulary, engaging in hobbies that incorporate language learning can be both enjoyable and effective.
If you’re looking to enhance your command of language, here are nine enriching hobbies that can help you improve your vocabulary.
Reading
Diving into different genres of books is a fantastic way to encounter new words. It helps you understand the context in which words are used, allowing for more effortless incorporation into your personal lexicon. Whether it be classic literature, non-fiction, sci-fi, or fantasy, every genre holds the potential to expose you to a unique set of vocabulary.
And if you’re still not convinced, check out our truly compelling reasons to read more. Once you pick up that particular article, you won’t be able to put it down!
Creative Writing
Writing is a dynamic activity that exercises your word-recall skills. The creative process often necessitates the use of varied and vivid vocabulary to effectively communicate your ideas. Whether you’re writing a personal diary, a blog post, or a fictional story, you are subconsciously improving your vocabulary.
Here are some great platforms online for helping beginners take up creative writing:
- Reedsy: Reedsy offers free online courses in creative writing, as well as a comprehensive blog with free guides covering everything from plot structure to character development.
- MasterClass: Several well-known authors like Margaret Atwood, Neil Gaiman, and James Patterson offer courses through MasterClass on various aspects of creative writing.
- Coursera: Coursera hosts courses from universities around the world on creative writing, poetry, screenwriting, and more.
- Writers.com: This site offers online creative writing courses from experienced professionals, covering various styles and genres.
- The Novelry: An online writing school that provides in-depth courses to help writers create novels in 90 days. Their courses are suitable for beginners and seasoned authors alike.
- Udemy: Udemy offers numerous courses on creative writing, some of which focus on specific elements such as character creation, plot development, or genre-specific writing.
- Scribophile: This is an online community where writers offer constructive criticism on each other’s work. It’s a great place to work on revisions and hone your skills.
- Daily Page: A platform that provides daily writing prompts for practice.
- Now Novel: Provides structure and collaborative tools to help beginners start and complete a novel.
- Wattpad: A platform where writers can share their work and receive feedback from a community of readers and writers.
Playing Traditional Word Games
Word games like Scrabble, Boggle, or crossword puzzles challenge your mind and stimulate your cognitive abilities, encouraging you to create new words and expand your vocabularly in a fun and engaging way in the process. These games are excellent for learning new words and their meanings, and are just plain fun, too!
Read: 8 hobbies to keep your mind sharp
Joining A Book Club
Participation in a book club provides an incredible platform for vocabulary expansion. As members discuss their interpretations and feelings about the book, the dialogue can introduce you to words you may not have encountered before.
Some of the most popular book clubs in the UK include:
- The Pigeonhole: This is a unique concept where books are released in staves or sections, allowing readers to discuss each portion as they go along.
- Reese’s Book Club: Although Reese Witherspoon is based in the US, the book club has a large following in the UK. She picks a new book each month, often highlighting works by female authors.
- Andrew Luck Book Club: This book club offers two books every month: one for ‘rookies’ (younger readers) and one for ‘veterans’ (adults).
- BBC Radio 2 Book Club: This book club is part of the “Jo Whiley Show” and features a new book every two weeks. Listeners can participate in the discussion on the radio station’s website or on social media.
- The Willoughby Book Club: This is a subscription-based service that tailors selections to your reading preferences. Each month, members receive a new book in the post which they can discuss online.
Learning A New Language
Venturing into a new language not only adds a novel set of words to your vocabulary but also helps you understand the structure and grammar of your own language better, thus deepening your overall linguistic understanding. This is because it stimulates cognitive skills, enhancing understanding of grammatical structures and language mechanics which can be applied back to your native language.
Furthermore, discovering the etymology of words can reveal shared roots across languages, thereby expanding your original lexicon.
Alternatively, you could delve back into the basics of the English language, helping you get a better grasp of grammatical structures and form. Online resources like English with Lucy are a great way to assist you in this journey.
Using Educational Apps
There are countless apps like Magoosh, Vocabulary.com, and Anki that are specifically designed for vocabulary enhancement. They incorporate various teaching methodologies, offering an engaging platform to learn and revise new words effectively.
Podcasts
Listening to podcasts on topics that interest you is an enjoyable way to enhance your vocabulary. Choose educational podcasts that focus on language, literature, or general knowledge. As you listen, pay attention to new words or phrases and their usage within the context.
For extra points, why not listen to podcasts about the joy of linguistics? Here are a handful of our favourites:
- The Allusionist – This is a podcast about the English language, and its many quirks, hosted by Helen Zaltzman.
- Something Rhymes with Purple – This podcast is hosted by Susie Dent, a lexicographer from Countdown, and Gyles Brandreth, a writer and broadcaster. They discuss interesting words and language phenomena.
- Word of Mouth – A BBC Radio 4 production hosted by Michael Rosen, this podcast explores the world of words and the ways in which we use them.
- The English We Speak – This is a podcast from the BBC that focuses on explaining common idioms and phrases used in English.
Participating In Debates & Public Speaking
Debating and public speaking require a strong command of language. Regular participation compels you to explore and use a range of expressive and persuasive vocabulary, leading to a substantial improvement in your language skills. And that’s even before we consider the confidence that engaging in debates and public speaking will give you over time!
Composing Poetry
Writing poetry requires a meaningful and meticulous selection of words. As you explore different ways to express emotions and ideas, you will inevitably enrich your vocabulary. So what are you waiting for? Pick up a pen (or your Notes app!) and get writing.
The Bottom Line
These hobbies provide excellent strategies for learning new words and enhancing your language skills. By incorporating these activities into your daily routine, you’re not only improving your vocabulary but also enhancing your overall cognitive abilities and cultural understanding. What’s not to love?