This is general educational guidance. Check the linked official sources and your child’s school instructions for the applicable syllabus and assessment year.
Choose fewer, more useful words
Select words from school texts, reading and feedback that the student is likely to encounter or use. Five well-learned words can be more valuable than thirty copied definitions.
Record the original sentence so the word remains connected to a real context.
Build a complete word entry
Include a plain-language meaning, part of speech, one or two common collocations, a contrasting or related word and a fresh example.
Note register where it matters. A word suitable for a formal report may sound unnatural in casual dialogue.
A useful vocabulary entry should include:
- Meaning in this context.
- Word family and grammatical form.
- Common words used beside it.
- One accurate personal example.
- One situation where it would not fit.
Retrieve on a spaced schedule
Cover the entry and recall the meaning, collocation or sentence after one day, three days and one week. Mix directions: sometimes start with the word, sometimes with the meaning or context.
Retire words that remain secure and keep difficult ones in the next cycle.
Use vocabulary for a real purpose
Write a short paragraph or record a one-minute response using two selected words. Check whether they improve precision rather than simply making the sentence sound complicated.
Ask for feedback on accuracy, tone and naturalness. Replace a forced word with a simpler one when it communicates better.