Is it a good idea to read through an Advanced learner's English dictionary?

Question

I am learning English. This is what I am doing.

I read carefully through 5 pages of an advanced learner's dictionary every day so that in a year, I shall know nearly every word in it.

When I have done that, is it true that my vocabulary size would become the same as that of a native speaker? Or, not even close at all?

Do not worry about my forgetting a lot. I do some light revision from time to time. Today, I have finished a quarter of it and still remember briefly most of what I have learnt in the past.

I am using the Collins COBUILD since it is the easiest to read.

Alex-93 · Accepted Answer

Actually I would be really stunned if you would remember nearly every word of the dictionarry in one year. If you would succeed , your vocab knowledge might be close to the one of a native speaker.

But it's more than just learning the words. You have to know how certain words are used. Some words are connected with others, and even others would be totally wrong.
Besides vocab you need to grasp the syntax and the structure of the language. It might not be so bright to study only vocabulary.
Your brain would be breathtaking if you could remember every single word. I am just working through an english advanced book and I already forget many words. Of course I'll do a revision. I just want to give you a tip. Don't concentrate on vocab only, do some other exercises concerning grammar or read english books, so that you thought of extend your english comprehension.

Just my point of view.

Iwanttofly4 · Answer

Of course I would not be able to use most of the words. At least I would not need to use a dictionary when I see the words I have once studied.

Alex-93 · Answer

iwanttofly4Of course I would not be able to use most of the words. At least I would not need to use a dictionary when I see the words I have once studied.

Yes that might be true.

Tanit · Answer

Hi

It might be just me but I think reading other stuff is much better.

The greater the variety of reading materials you're exposed to, the larger the vocabulary you come across in context. This way, not only do you learn the meaning a a word, but also you increase the chances of learning "chunks of language", such as fixed expressions and collocations, which might come in very handy([

]) and help you achieve a native-likepassive understanding of the language (enlarging one's active vocabulary is another kettle of fish).

Moreover, if you learn by heart words in your vocabulary and their meaning, you risk wasting your time and effort by studying words that you might never encounter in real life. They might be regional, or old-fashioned, or specialised, whatever, chances are you'll never ever read or hear them.

That said, whatever works for you is - of course - fine!

Dave Phillips · Answer

I totally agree with Tanit. You may know all these words but without knowing the connotations you could easily offend somebody by trying to use language above your level. If you are learning try to practise them so you know when and where they are used.

Learner dictionaries are very good for giving you uses and examples but they only go so far. If you feel that it is improving you English then please don't let us stop you but reading stories, and other things will help improve reading skills (top down rather than bottom up reading). Top down reading is where you don't know all the words but understand what you read, bottom up you understand every word but don't have a context to put it in.

Iwanttofly4 · Answer

Thank you for the thorough advices.

CalifJim · Answer

Memorizing a dictionary is a colossal waste of time. The size of your vocabulary would far exceed that of a native speaker, but your command of English would not improve appreciably. There are loads of words in dictionaries that you won't need more than once every five years and many that are almost never used.

Read, read, read. Try to understand new words through the context you find them in without looking them up in a dictionary. If you really insist, memorize a few phrases you find in your readings each day. Phrases are much better than words.

CJ

Is it a good idea to read through an Advanced learner's English dictionary?

When I have done that, is it true that my vocabulary size would become the same as that of a native speaker? Or, not even close at all?

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