I previously wrote several posts about how to prepare for the DALF C1 exam, and some readers asked how to build vocabulary more effectively. In this post, I’ll explain my approach to building vocabulary in detail. I’ll focus mainly on French, but the methods in this post apply to any foreign language.
Methodology
As a language teacher with eight years of experience, I know very well that memorizing vocabulary and studying grammar are not enjoyable ways to learn. I personally hate grammar. Apart from studying it at the beginner A1–A2 levels and briefly before taking the DALF, I have never paid attention to it. This has proved to be the right approach. The best method is to treat the target language as a tool. For example, I enjoy watching TV series, so I learn French by watching French series. If you like scrolling through short videos, watch them in French. Do not make reading books your main method of building vocabulary, because you need to become familiar with the pronunciation and intonation of the target language—unless you use audiobooks.